Economic Development elects officers at annual meeting

HARTINGTON — Hartington Economic Development elected board members and officers at its annual meeting last Wednesday.

Chris Miller was re-elected as president and Peggy Year was re-elected as vice president.

Preston Leise, who had been serving as secretary, was elected as treasurer and A.J. Johnson was elected as the group’s new secretary.

Four Board members — Miller, Leise, Tim Nissen, and Glen Thoene, were also all reelected to new three-year terms on the Board.

The annual meeting was held in conjunction with the Hartington Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Miller and Board member Brandon Baller gave an update during the meeting on the group‘s activities from 2019 and plans for 2020.

The group purchased three lots from Avera Medical Clinic in 2019. To date, one of those lots has been sold.

Miller also noted the group is considering building another spec building in the industrial park.

The last time they built a spec building, Wiechelman Repair purchased that building.

The funds generated from that sale are what are now being used for revolving commercial loans being issued here.

There are two loan opportunities available to businesses through Economic Development.

A $5,000 low interest revolving loan is available for facade improvements to Hartington businesses.

A revolving loan of up to $50,000 is also available to current or new businesses.

Currently, two businesses are taking advantage of the facade loan program, while eight businesses are taking part in the other program.

Board members also noted there is also a $40,000 housing loan available to help with the down payment on a newly constructed home.