Full applications are due April 12, 2012 and Swift County was advised to make revisions to their project based on the highly competitive round of applicants.  The Small Cities program received 77 pre-applications totaling over $42 million.  60 of those, representing $33.5 million were invited to submit full-application.  The expected total funding pool of the state is only $14 million.

“We definitely have our work cut out for us,” said RDA Executive Director, Jennifer Frost.  “But the state provided some specific recommendations on how to make our proposal more competitive.  Those include having a smaller, more geographically refined target area, and to provide details about the community’s need for the proposed activity.  The original proposal was submitted as a county-wide application, so this will mean some big changes.”

The RDA and HRA plan to meet with those communities that represent the highest level of interest from the original proposal in an attempt to refine the application.  In the meantime, DEED is in the process of making modifications to the full application to better meet Housing and Urban Development expectations and state rules for the program, and plans to have the revised full application available mid-January.

For More Information:

Contact Vicki Syverson, Executive Director
Swift County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), 320-843-4676 or

Jennifer Frost, Executive Director
Swift County Rural Development Authority (RDA) 320-842-4769

For additional information, contact Swift County RDA.

888-843-4769
rda@co.swift.mn.us

301 14th Street North
Post Office Box 288
Benson, MN 56215-0288

The purpose of seeking this grant is two-fold: To assist low and moderate-income residents in performing renovations on their homes, and second, to assist commercial property owners to make improvements that make their buildings more livable, energy efficient, safe and accessible.  While the principal focus of the renovations is code compliance and health and safety upgrades, other eligible activities include electrical and plumbing upgrades, roof replacement, and energy improvements.  The assistance is in the form of 0% interest, deferred loans to eligible applicants.

“The Cities of Benson and Appleton have both been awarded these grants in the past and with this county-wide application, we hope to bring the program to all cities and townships within Swift County, “ says Vicki Syverson, from the Swift County HRA. “We are looking forward to improving housing stock through-out Swift County, as well addressing some of our smaller communities’ needs with the commercial revitalization program.”

The grant pre-application process is highly competitive and is due in November. Only those applications that demonstrate need and readiness will be asked to complete a full application.  Demonstrating interest in the program upfront is a critical component in the application.

At this time, the program is seeking homeowners and commercial property owners interested in applying to the program. For an application or more information, please call Ms. Vicki Syverson or Mr. Tim Mooberry at 320-842-4676 by October 29.

We would like to hear from any Swift County resident who may be interested in taking advantage of this great opportunity to do some much needed home or commercial property improvements.  Applications are also available for download on the Swift County RDA homepage at www.swiftcountyrda.com.

The grant, awarded to the Swift County RDA, will start the RDA Energy Loan Fund (RDA ELF) for small businesses in Swift County.  Initially loans will be made at zero percent interest to help jumpstart local businesses ability to finance energy-saving improvements to their facilities.  Utility-bill savings can then be used to repay the loan.

“Increasing the energy efficiency of our buildings is a good investment for taxpayers, Swift County businesses, and the environment,” said Jennifer Gruis, Swift County RDA Director. “The projects made possible by the financing effort will pay dividends for many years to come.”

Projects eligible for loans include purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment, windows and doors; installation and use of renewable energy technologies; and projects that reduce energy waste.

Swift County RDA Members estimate that by leveraging fund dollars with utility rebates, grant programs, and other Swift County loan programs; 5-10 loans will be made from the initial funding with more financing available as loans are repaid.

The grant to Swift County was awarded as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Commerce through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).  EECBG helps governments and nonprofit groups improve the energy efficiency of buildings and vehicles, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and create or retain jobs.

Swift County RDA is serving as fiscal agent for the grant and will administer the loan fund.  For information on how to apply for the RDA-ELF contact the RDA at 320-842-4769 or rda@co.swift.mn.us

A pair of young Swedish farmers, who are also business partners, have spent the past week getting a taste of life in rural Minnesota.  Their two-day visit to the western part of the state featured farm visits, a trip to the test plots at the USDA North Central Soil Conservation Research Lab and a tour of the biomass gasifier research project at the University of Minnesota-Morris.

Erik Sundell and Per Hallnevik, both 26 years old, each farm about 240 acres planted to wheat and other small grains, in rural Sweden. Though these are lands owned by their families, farming on that scale doesn’t provide a living, and the two men are also business entrepreneurs—one owns an excavating company, the other a timber harvesting business and together they own a tile drainage business.

“These guys would love to make farming their sole pursuit, but when a 2400-acre farm came up for sale in their area, the asking price was $10 million—so making a living from farming alone is out of reach for most farmers there,” said Riley Maanum, the research & project manager for Minnesota Corn Growers Association, and one of the hosts of the tour. He brought Erik and Per to his family’s farm near Morris, Minnesota.

The two had hoped to see the soybean harvest but snow the night before kept the Maanums out of the fields. However, the Swedes were very interested to see the whole range of equipment at the farm run by Riley’s parents, Pat and Mona.

They saw planters, seed drills, sprayers, banders, combine and storage and transportation equipment on the Maanum farm.

“The scale of farming equipment here is fascinating to them,” said Riley Maanum.

After seeing all the equipment needed to take the crop from planting to harvest, the two young farmers sat down for a midday meal with Riley’s parents, his younger brother, Austin, Riley’s grandparents Toby and Dorothy Maanum and Janet and Butch Anderson. They were joined also by Kara Slaughter, the other guide for the tour.

Erik and his grandfather Hans, also a Rotarian, were among the hosts of a Rotary Group Study exchange program that brought Minnesotans out to Sweden for a five-week stay. One of those visitors, Slaughter, reciprocated by arranging this tour for Erik and Per, and coming along with Maanum as a guide for the day. Slaughter serves on the board of a non-profit organization called Renewing the Countryside, which focuses on efforts to revitalize rural Minnesota through sustainable farming, rural tourism, and economic development.

In addition to seeing the USDA soils lab and the U of M Morris biomass gasifier project, where corn cobs and other ag waste is turned into steam energy, the two Swedish farmers enjoyed the drive through the Minnesota countryside. Their climate at home is quite similar to Minnesota, in terms of temperature and seasons. One difference though is that they receive about 50 inches of rain per year, roughly twice what falls in southern and western Minnesota. Also, the terrain in Sweden is a lot more hilly and wooded.

“They said that, out of all the people in the world, in their experience they relate to Minnesotans best,” Maanum reported. “They see us as being easy going people who also value hard work and family.

After experiencing the wide prairie vistas where you can see ten miles or more, Erik said of western Minnesota, ‘I love it, absolutely love it—the only place where I have seen the heaven meet earth is at the ocean. But here, the crops touch heaven. It is very beautiful.”

source: MN Corn Grower’s Association

Gov. Tim Pawlenty giving his State of the State address last week. Photo by Tom Olmschied.

Benson was featured prominently in Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s State of the State address last Thursday.His comments thrilled local leaders who see the recognition as boosting the community’s profile around the state and opening doors for possible future business coming to the area. “In a changing world, our future success depends on our ability to innovate. That’s great news, because innovation is what Minnesota does best,” Pawlenty said during his fourth State of the State address. The annual address is the Republican governor’s chance to talk about past year’s accomplishments and layout his vision for the future. Pawlenty is seeking re-election this November.“Let me tell you about what’s happening in a really innovative town I’ve visited several times: Benson, Minnesota, population of about 3,300.

“Anytime you create something everyone needs from something nobody wants, you’re getting somewhere.

“On one side of town, they’re building an energy plant that creates electricity from turkey droppings. With over 46 million turkeys, Minnesota has a lot of droppings.

“Nearby, they make over 45 million gallons of ethanol at the Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company.

“To expand their operation, they started making vodka out of wheat and rye.

“Now, in order to make their business more efficient, they’re beginning to use biomass energy – burning corn stalks and husks – to replace their use of natural gas.

“They have another company in town called Future Products, which is using corn to make everything from plastic containers to T-shirts. “Benson, Minnesota, a little town on the prairie, beat winning author Thomas Friedman to the punch. He says: ‘America can win the coming global economic battle because America is `’the world’s dream machine.’

“Let’s lift up Minnesota as America’s dream machine, the nation’s leader in innovation,” Pawlenty, who was in Benson last summer for Fibrominn’s groundbreaking, said.

Most in the community did not know that the governor was going to highlight Benson in his address. The few who did know didn’t find out until Thursday morning. But all were ecstatic about the comments.

“I just can’t imagine that it is going to be anything but good for the community,” Sue Pirsig, Swift County Rural Development Authority executive director said. It puts Benson on the radar screens of others who would not otherwise know where Benson was or what it was doing.

“We will be noticed more than we currently are and we are already noticed quite a bit because of Fibrominn and CVEC” Pirsig said. Future Products is already getting calls from people interested in what they are producing, she said.

In April, Pirsig is headed to the BIO 2006 Annual International Convention in Chicago. The convention highlights the future of agricultural biotechnology. It is an opportunity to promote what the community has accomplished and attract some perspective businesses to the area. Being able to incorporate Gov. Pawlenty’s comments into the presentation she will have at the convention will give it added power.

The community’s success, Pirsig said, is a testament to people working together. “It is fun to work in Benson because…no one bothers to take credit for what happens, they just keep moving forward. It is the same with this (Pawlenty’s recognition). No one is jumping around taking credit for it. They are going, ‘Good! It happened. What’s next? Let’s get going!”

Fibrominn, CVEC, and Future Products were all used as examples of Benson’s innovative spirit and the commitment of local leaders to back investment in projects that are outside mainstream acceptability.

“It reaffirms some of the efforts that we have been making,” Benson City Manager Rob Wolfington said of Pawlenty’s speech. Furthermore, through these recent projects, he said, the Benson area has been diversifying its industrial base.

Pirsig agreed. Local leaders have been willing to take chances and proceed despite some people questioning the wisdom of pursing the projects. When CVEC was built, ethanol production was still considered a questionable investment. But area farmers, businesses, the city and Swift County still moved forward, Pirsig said.

“When CVEC was built ethanol companies were seen as basically snake oil,” she said. “But the group that came forward was willing to do the research and take the chance. It wasn’t risk free, but they tried to make sure it was as little as possible.”

To capitalize on businesses that have already been added to the community or are under construction, Swift County is moving forward with establishing a Blue Ribbon Committee for economic development.

Fibrominn, East Dublin Dairy and other area businesses all provide opportunities for new agricultural value-added business development, Pirsig said recently to the Benson Economic Development Authority. Pirsig is seeking $10,000 in funding for the Blue Ribbon Committee. Benson’s EDA agreed to contribute up to $3,333 to the committee.

CVEC, which produces 46 million gallons of ethanol annually, has ventured into a variety of other products through the years. Most well known of its ventures is Shakers Vodka through its partnership in Glacial Grain Spirits. It also produces industrial grade alcohol for use in cosmetics and other products. And it produces kosher industrial grade alcohol. A by-product of CVEC’s ethanol production is distillers dried grains, which are used as a farm animal feed.

Earlier this year, CVEC announced that it was entering into a research and development agreement with Frontline BioEnergy, LLC, a new Iowa company that specializes in biomass gasification technologies. Through the partnership, CVEC hopes to replace its $20 million annual natural gas bill with gas produced on site.

Fibrominn, currently under construction a mile west of Benson, will burn nearly 700,000 tons of turkey litter to produce 50 megawatts of electricity. The ash from the process will be used as a fertilizer.

East Dublin Dairy, a partnership representing nearly 20 families, plans to build a 6,600-head dairy operation in the center of Section 25 at the east edge of Dublin Township. When completed, it will milk 5,280 cows twice a day. There will also be 820 dry cows and 500 heifers at the facility, for a total of 6,600 head or 8,890 animal units. Operating at full capacity, it is expected the dairy will ship out 36 semi-loads of milk weekly to Milbank, S.D., for processing.

Future Products, Inc., in Benson is making shirts and T-shirts with a fabric made entirely from corn.

Ingeo fiber, made by Cargill, is made into clothing under the trade name “ReNew Apparel.” It is marketed to ag organizations such as the National Corn Growers Association, the Minnesota Corn Growers, as well as many other state corn growers associations. Future Products has also talked with seed companies about its ReNew Apparel line as well as ag equipment manufacturers such as John Deere.

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