Fairmont’s community and economic development efforts drive Fairmont to be one of southern Minnesota’s best cities for access to transportation, land availability, workforce and quality of life. Fairmont is host to more than 500 businesses. Over the past 12 years Fairmont’s Economic Development Authority’s revolving loan fund has helped 53 businesses with loans from $17,000 – $140,000 totaling $2,200,000 leveraging another $19,000,000 in equity and conventional financing. It has also created 404 new jobs or about 10 per company with new payroll of more than $12,600,000.
Martin County has a number of larger businesses including: WFS, Mayo Clinic Health System – Fairmont, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, Torgerson Properties, Rosen Diversified, 3M, Avery Weigh-Tronix, REM, Hancor, Fairmont Foods of Minnesota, Rosens Inc., Cloverleaf Cold Storage, Green Plains Renewables, CHS Inc., Devenish Nutrition, and Kahler Automation.
For years Martin County has been gaining momentum as a value-added ag processing center and an area beginning to explore renewable fuels. In 2001, CHS, Inc. constructed a $75 Million soybean processing facility. In the summer of 2008 BioFuel Energy, LLC began production and was one of Minnesota’s first 100 Million gallon ethanol plants and was just recently purchased by Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. Four miles to the west, Valero Renewable Fuels produces over 100 million gallons annually at its ethanol plant. Combined these three plants have created over 150 jobs with an average annual wage of approximatley $40,000 per year.
Fairmont’s retail base is represented by national and regional chains: Hy-Vee, Fareway Stores, JCPenney, Shopko, Walgreens, Wal-Mart Super Center and many other national and locally owned businesses.
Photo Courtesy of David A. Parker
General Information
- Discussion With Staff
An informal discussion with the appropriate Community Development Staff, prior to filing an application is encouraged. This usually results in a more efficient processing of your application. Petitioners are also encouraged to consult with staff as their applications are processed. This often expedites the process by providing pertinent information at the appropriate time. Listed below are Community
Development Department staff
City Administrator…………………………….Mike Humpal, CEcD
Building Official………………………………
Public Works Director………………………Troy Nemmers, P.E.
City Attorney…………………………………Elizabeth Bloomquist
- Office Phone, Location and Hours
The Community Development Department phone number is 507-238-9461. The department is located on the second floor of Fairmont City Hall at 100 Downtown Plaza, Fairmont, Minnesota. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. - Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting
The Fairmont Board of Zoning Appeals normally meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza, Fairmont, Minnesota. - Planning Commission Meetings
The Fairmont Planning Commission meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza, Fairmont, Minnesota. - City Council Meeting
Fairmont City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza. - Agendas
Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and City Council agendas are normally available at the Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza, Fairmont, Minnesota at least two (2) days prior to the meeting and on the web at www.fairmont.org - Notification of Meetings
Only individual petitioners will receive notification from the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission, or City Council meetings will be the mailed notice of public hearing. For all other meetings, it is the responsibility of the petitioners to keep themselves informed of meeting times and dates. Failure of petitioners to appear when they have an item on the agenda, may cause delay or tabling of action by the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission or City Council. - Correct Information
Failure to provide correct and accurate information may cause undue delay or negate proceedings. This is particularly true of legal descriptions and lot surveys. - Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances
Copies of zoning and subdivision ordinances are available from the Community Development Department. A copy of the Fairmont City Code is available for review at the Martin County Library or at www.fairmont.org. - Plat and Zoning Map
Plat and City zoning maps area available from the Community Development
Department.
Business Resource Contacts
- City Of Fairmont Economic Development Authority
The Economic Development department works closely with the Inspection and Planning departments to promote commercial, residential and mixed-use development that is consistent with the City of Fairmont’s comprehensive land use plan. The Economic Department works to provide incentives for relocation and development in the Fairmont community. The department’s friendly staff are ready to assist developers with the initial planning process.
Linsey Pruess
Economic Development Director
City of Fairmont
100 Downtown Plaza
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: 507-238-9461 ext. 2236
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.fairmont.org/economic-development-2/
- Martin County Economic Development Authority
IGNITE services are for anyone with an idea looking to start a business to a multi-million dollar company exploring expansion and relocation opportunities. Our services benefit anyone with a business idea, home-based businesses, inventors, lenders, startup and existing businesses, and the community as a whole.Scott Higgins
Martin County Economic Development Authority
201 Lake Avenue
Fairmont, MN 56031
Phone: 507-235-3124
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://martincountyeda.org/ - South Central Region Small Business Development Center
The South Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of the Minnesota network of regional centers, staffed by committed professionals. We are funded by the US Small Business Administration and regional funding partners, allowing us to provide our professional services at no cost.
Michael Nolan
South Central Region
1536 Warren Street
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-1008
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.myminnesotabusiness.com/
- Minnesota WorkForce Center – Fairmont
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Business Service Specialists provide practical business solutions for finding and hiring new employees, retaining employees, accessing training resources, and general human resource information. Fairmont’s Business Services specialist is:
Connie Hines
Minnesota WorkForce Center – Fairmont
412 South State Street
Phone: 507-235-5518
Fax: 507-238-4214
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Business Resource Links