FALL 2020 • ISSUE 3
$2.00
Fleur-de-lis
PROGRESS edition
Pages 18-28
MINDS MATTER
FULL TILT
BIGGER & BETTER
Youth encouraged to share Much-loved amusement Trystar positions for mental health concerns park ride a Faribault original growth in new facility Fall 2020
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contents
4 Opening minds
Faribault group elevates youth voices in mental health conversation.
8 Take a spin
Herbert W. Sellner turns dream into reality.
12 ‘Happy to be here’
High School adjusts schedules, dimissal, lunch to bring students back to class.
29 Movin’ on up
In new building, Faribault’s Trystar well positioned for growth.
18 PROGRESS 19 - Rice County–working for growth and opportunity 20 - Bethlehem Academy– celebrating traditions amid change 22 - Rice County Area United Way–Helping during a time of need 23 - 15 Families–moved from renting to home ownership with HRA help This issue of Fleur de Lis is delivered to all subscribers of Faribault Daily News for the low cost of $1.00 per issue, deducted upon delivery from your account balance. If you decide it’s not for you, you can opt out of future issues by contacting customer service at 507-333-3111 or tzernechel@ faribault.com. Non-subscribers can purchase copies of Fleur de Lis for $2.00 each.
regional president: Steve Fisher regional general manager: Chad Hjellming regional managing editor: Suzanne Rook regional director of sales: Tom Kelling advertising: Mark Nelson & Deanna Walters designer: Kate Townsend-Noet Send story ideas to:
Suzanne Rook at Fleur-de-lis srook@faribault.com Volume 3, Issue 3
Fleur-de-lis 2020 Published Winter 2020 by: Faribault Daily News • 514 Central Avenue • Faribault, MN 55021 • faribault.com ©
24 - 2020–New roofs, shelving and a crusie through Rice County history 25 - Habitat for Humanity– Builds on! 26 - Even in the outdoors– River Bend made adjustments 27 - A year in Paradise– Polishing the gem 28 - Reimagining education in an ever changing world
on the cover:
Work continues on the new Trystar facility located just across the road from Met-Con. (Suzanne Rook) PREVIOUS PAGE: A view of SageGlass with Faribault Foods in the distance. (Suzanne Rook)
All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertisers. This publication is copyrighted by the Faribault Daily News and no content can be reproduced without permission.
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Faribault Area Learning Center Counselor Shane Roessler, left, and Lyndsey Reece of Rice County Public Health talk with a MINDS student on Zoom outside the ALC. During the pandemic, this has been their common mode of communication with students. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com)
Opening MINDS Faribault group elevates youth voices in mental health conversations
M
ental health is invisible and intangible, and in the opinion of Faribault High School senior Abigale Bongers, that’s what
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Story By Misty Schwab makes it so difficult to talk about. “I think it’s a good beginning point where we’re at right now,” Bongers said on the topic of youth mental health. “ … People realize the mind is more important than it gets credit for.” After 20 years as a counselor, Shane Roessler, who works at the Faribault Area Learning Center, said the mental health conversation with youth is different — not necessarily better or worse. Old stereotypes about mental illness sometimes per-
sist, but saying “I have a problem” has become more acceptable. “A lot of organizations are working really hard, but I always go back to, who is at the table making those decisions? How many conversations involve the students?” she said. Quite a few conversations on mental health involve students in at least one sector of Faribault. Twice a month, FHSl and ALC students like Bongers participate in a mental health discussion
group called MINDS (Moving In New DirectionS), which Roessler co-supervises with Lyndsey Reece of Rice County Public Health. “Our youth are so … I can’t even think of a word to describe them,” Roessler said. “The passion that exists in the youth right now is so amazing. They want to change the world, and it’s just cool to see.”
Youth voices Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health invited Reece to participate in an Adolescent and Young Adult Behavioral Health CoIIN (Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network) project designed to improve mental health screenings for adolescents and young adults. MDH wanted to gather input from youth for the project, and that’s where MINDS entered the picture. Students, Roessler and Reece talked about how teens feel when they visit their doctor, how they’re treated and if one approach to addressing mental health is better than others. Over the summer, four teens involved in the group shared their survey efforts via two national-level conference calls. “It was really fun, really different because it was virtual, but cool to talk to a professional
As a junior, Faribault High School student Bennett Wolff (right) co-led a Mental Health Awareness Night with classmate Maria Pierce for their DECA Community Awareness project. Wolff joined MINDS to further her mental health advocacy. (News file photo/southernminn.com)
about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,”
in one of the calls.
said FHS senior Bennett Wolff, who participated
Wolff joined the MINDS group at Reece’s recCONTINUES ON PAGE 6
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In the cafeteria at Faribault Middle School, students don’t have the same opportunities to mingle in line as they did before COVID-19. Creating connections despite these changes is just one focus of the MINDS group. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com) Fall 2020
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Abigale Bongers, front left, and Jordyn Tesch, front right, are two Faribault High School students who represented youth in a national projected related to mental health. Both participate in MINDS (Moving In New DirectionS), a group in Rice County composed of Faribault young adults who want to spread the word about mental wellness. Lyndsey Reece of Rice County Public Health, back left, and Faribault Area Learning Center School Counselor Shane Roessler, back right, supervise the group at the ALC. (News file photo/ southernminn.com)
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
The MINDS group has talked about how changes in the school setup, due to COVID-19, impact the ways students socialize and connect with one another. Pictured, students in a Faribault Middle School study hall sit in desks spaced far apart and use their devices to study. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com)
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ommendation after organizing a mental health fair last year. An eye-opening and heartbreaking realization for Wolff, by being involved in MINDS, is how many students have depression and/or anxiety but never talk about it. “I just hope we can reach as many students as possible and make them feel like it’s OK to tell someone,” Wolff said. “They need to feel comfortable to go get help, see a therapist or talk to a school counselor.” The group realized that by normalizing mental health, students might feel more comfortable ask-
ing for help. As a result, the initial discussion on screenings evolved into mental health advocacy. Depression and anxiety is an issue for teens in Rice County. According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, 54% of 11th graders reported feeling depressed for several days in the prior two weeks; 70% said they felt anxious and 53% were unable to stop or control worrying for several days in the same time period. The World Health Organization reports that depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among youth 10-19 and warns of the dangers of failing to deal with the issue. “Promoting psychological well-being and protecting adolescents from adverse experiences and risk factors that may impact their potential to thrive are critical for their well-being during adolescence and for their physical and mental health in adulthood,” according to WHO.
Letting students lead Though students joined the MINDS group with varying understandings of mental health, Roessler says they respect one another, listen and offer support. “Our biggest message is that it’s OK to feel where you’re at,” Roessler said. “Just because it doesn’t look like everyone else doesn’t mean it’s bad or worse or better; it’s just you and how you experience things.” Instead of guiding students in one direction or another, Roessler and Reece let the youth take the lead. Sometimes, they even ask the question, “What can adults do better?” During a virtual meeting, for example, Roessler asked Bongers how adults like herself can discern when it’s a safe time to check in with students about a problem. Bongers used the analogy of a dance, where students take the lead and adults follow. If a student holds back, she advised Roessler to respect their space. Boundaries with adults are sometimes hard for students to navigate. Bongers admitted that unless a teacher or adult encourages her to ask about their lives, she feels as though she’s overstepping a boundary. Not all students are as open with their emotions, so Reece asked, “What if students don’t know how to share their feelings or ask for help?” Bongers suggested offering resources listing healthy coping mechanisms, but not to single out any one student. In one of her classes at FHS, Bongers reported a teacher distributed a questionnaire to find out how students felt being back in school in person for the first time in months. She appreciates that this teacher gave the same survey to each student rather than singling out anyone in particular.
Busy school hallways are a thing of the past for Faribault High School students this year as they adjust to new protocols surrounding the pandemic. (File photo/southernminn.com
Being a teen in 2020 During the pandemic, Roessler hasn’t observed any “earth-shattering changes” in teens’ mental health, but the lack of knowledge on the virus and constant unknowns about the future complicate existing challenges. Anxiety levels for teens pre-pandemic were already high, but school closures in the spring, new protocols to follow in the fall and the pandemic itself present new stressors. On top of dealing with their own conflicts, youth may also absorb the stress of the adults in their world. This is especially relevant during the pandemic, Roessler noted. “There’s so many layers we don’t think about,” Roessler said. Like adults, teens might also deal with differing degrees of comfort in terms of getting close to people outside their immediate household. Some friends might continue hanging out with friends while others feel isolated as they practice social distancing, and because of social media, those who stay home know when they’re excluded. While some adults advocated for in-person learning in the fall to give students more of a social life, Roessler said, “It’s not the same.” Students can’t hang out by their lockers anymore, and they have fewer opportunities to connect with their teachers one on one. As a sociable person, Bongers said she used to talk to many of her classmates, but now, she feels less connected to her peers. After a week of school, she said she still hadn’t spoken one on one with any of her teachers. “I’m a people person, so if I don’t get to know you, I’m not as invested in a class,” she said. Roessler said it’s common for students to feel
pre-anxiety before going out to sporting events and other activities, but with many “events” happening online, she said students may come to the table already drained. Reece added that the extra anxiety of COVID-19 along with increased virtual offerings leads to more stress, and students almost need to retrain themselves how to socialize.
Many problems, many solutions “There is no one right way to solve this situation” is one thing Roessler often tells her students. She reminds them that a million self-help books exist to provide guidance on a million different problems. “If it’s a healthy and safe thing to do, go for it, even if no one else has tried it before,” she said. In a similar way, MINDS members brainstormed a number of outreach methods to spread mental health awareness and normalize asking for help. They want to offer more resources to students, host a discussion panel, create a website, and recognize mental health advocates or champions in their schools and communities. Soon, the group plans to invite Bethlehem Academy and Northfield High School and local college students to participate in MINDS. “We’re just here to open doors,” Reece said of her and Roessler’s role in the program. “[The youth] already know so much and more.” Reporter Misty Schwab can be reached at 507-333-3135. Follow her on Twitter @APGmisty. Fall 2020
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Take a spin
O
Story By Mary Laine MNopedia
n April 24, 1926, Herbert W. Sellner filed an application with the United States Patent Office for an “amusement device” designed for parks and resorts. His goal was to provide riders with “pleasurable and unexpected sensa-
Herbert W. Sellner
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tions” by swinging, snapping, and rotating them in an unpredictable pattern. He named his creation the TiltA-Whirl, and it became the most popular ride made by his Faribault-based Sellner Manufacturing Co. Herbert Sellner was born in Faribault in 1887. His father was a skilled cabinetmaker, and Herbert inherited his father’s creativity and talents. In 1912, at the age of twenty-five, he established the Sellner Woodcraft Co. in Faribault to manufacture mission furniture, lamps, and other wood articles. Sellner also
ABOVE: An oldie but a goodie, the Tilt-A-Whirl has been around in various forms since 1927. (Photo by Daryl Mitchell, Saskatoon, Canada)
created the Ideal Lamp Company. A 1917 catalog listed magazine racks, smoking and telephone stands, folding dining tables, and lamps with leaded stained glass shades. When World War I affected supply availability, Sellner began manufacturing wood toys for children. By 1923, Sellner’s creativity evolved, and he invented both a water tobogCONTINUES ON PAGE 10 u u u
TOP: Before he invented the Tilt-A-Whirl, Herbert Sellner invented several additional rides including this Water Slide. Invented in 1923 (three years before the Tilt-a-Whirl) this slide was a popular addition to many area resorts, beaches, pools and parks. As the sales brochure for the ride put it, “Yes Sir’ree! Sellner Sliding is the jolliest sport for bathers.” According to the literature, these slides were sold internationally to location in Jamaica, France, Sweden and Switzerland. (Photo courtesy of Rice County Historical Society) ABOVE: Cover of the advertising brochure for the Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl amusement park ride, 1928. Sellner Collection, Rice County Historical Society, Faribault. (Image courtesy of Rice County Historical Society) RIGHT: Sellner’s Tilt-A-Whirl patent application drawing.
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In this August 2017, fair goers of all ages enjoy the longstanding tradition of the Tilt-a-Whirl on the Steele County Free Fair Midway. (File photo/southernminn.com) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
gan slide and a water wheel that became popular items at bathing beaches. The slide was thirty feet high, featured a 100-foot-long track, and occupied a space of eighteen by 100 feet. With twelve toboggans priced at fifty cents a ride, the owner could earn $6 every hour. The slide had a ramp with raised treads (instead of steps) that were easier for riders to climb while carrying a toboggan. It was popular not only in the United States but also in Canada, Switzerland, Jamaica, and Sweden. In 1925, Sellner applied for a patent on the water wheel, which also had a diving platform. The wheel was 8 feet high; swimmers either lay on the wheel to spin into the water or dove from the platform. The Swooper, created in 1928, looked like an elevated, oval Ferris wheel. Because it was too bulky for a carnival to transport and manage, only about 15 were built. In 1926, the first Tilt-a-Whirl — a ride with nine cars that held two passengers each — was built in Herbert’s neighbor’s garden in Faribault. This original Tilt-a-Whirl was purchased for $4500 by the Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake for its 1927 season. Gross profit
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that year was $30,000. The Tilt-a-Whirl first appeared at the Minnesota State Fair in 1926 and had 4,233 riders over the seven days that the fair was open. Each ride cost 15 cents. In 1927, Sellner built a factory at 515 Fowler St. in Faribault to accommodate his growing business. By 1928, the Tilt-A-Whirl design was already modified and required three men to operate it: a clutch operator, a ticket taker, and a ticket seller. Model 9-36 had nine cars (three red, three orange, and three blue) and held thirty-six riders. It could earn as much as $162 per hour. Model 7-28 had seven red cars that carried twenty-eight riders and could earn $126 per hour. Each car had a colorful canvas canopy, a seat cushion stuffed with curled hair, and a lap bar to keep riders in place. The cars had linoleum floors and were made of pine and oak and reinforced with iron brackets. A collapsible ticket office with a small cash window and money drawer, canvas covers for each car, and a TILT-A-WHIRL entrance sign with 28 lights were included. By 1938, 143 Tilt-A-Whirls operated in England, Sweden, New Zealand, and Mexico City. When World War II created a shortage of both workers and materials, Sellner factory employees made bomb carts.
In 1987, the Sellner company introduced Spin Rides, including the Spin-the-Apple, the BerryGo-Round, Bear Affair, and Barrel-Of-Fun. Other rides that followed included Dizzy Dragons, the Pumpkin Patch, and Windjammer. New colors appeared on the Tilt-A-Whirl, including lime green and purple or white and fuchsia, and the Generation Five Tilt-A-Whirl, with fiberglass cars and an open design, was introduced in 2004 as an alternative to the traditional model. Economic downturns in the early 2000s hurt Sellner Manufacturing and led to a slump in sales. After it missed payments on a loan from the Economic Development Authority of Faribault, the business was sold in 2011 to Larson International, Inc., of Plainview, Texas. Larson International continues to manufacture the Tilt-A-Whirl and the other Sellner rides. In 2015, a rusting Tilt-A-Whirl car located in a junk yard in Faribault was restored and placed on display in downtown Faribault to honor the history of the Tilt-A-Whirl in the city. Another was placed downtown in July 2017. Reach Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-3333134. Follow her on Twitter @rooksuzy.
During the dedication of the Tilt-A-Whirl car during Faribault’s 2015 Heritage Days, Tami Schluter and TV’s Rick Dale reveal the restored project. (File photo/ southernminn.com)
SELLNER: A TIMELINE
swaying, speeding, sliding, skidding, rounding, rotating, rising, revolving, hesitating, flying, falling, curving and circling.
1887 Herbert W. Sellner is born in Faribault on Feb. 5 to Frederick and Charlotte Luck Sellner, German immigrants.
1928
1908 Sellner establishes Sellner Woodcraft, which makes mission-style furniture. He is a furniture maker like his father, Frederick, who was a skilled woodworker. The name of the company later becomes Daisy Woodcraft when it is sold.
A customer writes to Sellner and says that the Tilt-A-Whirl took in $400 in a little more than two hours. He says eight men managed the crowd like cattle. 1930 Herbert Sellner dies of leukemia on April 28, at the age of 43. 1949
Directors of the Sellner Manufacturing Co. are Mrs. Herbert 1926 W. Sellner (Frieda); Martin Sellner Sellner applies for a patent for (Herbert’s brother); Arthur Sellner an “Amusement Device” (later (one of Herbert’s sons); and C. M. named “Tilt-A-Whirl”) with the United Vanderpool. States Patent Office. He describes it as “affording intermittent and 1953 unexpected thrills to the passenger.” The Tilt-A-Whirl places second in 1927 Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake operates the first Tilt-A-Whirl that was built. The cost is $4500, and the gross profit for the first season is $30,000. 1927 Sellner Manufacturing Co. incorporates, with Herbert as its president and Martin Sellner, his brother, as its vice president and treasurer. 1928 Tilt-a-Whirl advertising brochures describes the ride’s movement as tilting, sweeping, spinning, swooping,
revenue at the Minnesota State Fair. Out of 19 carnival rides, it earns $4,849.18, which is exceeded only by the Sky Wheels ride at $7,387.05. 2010 In June, legal action is taken against the Sellner Manufacturing Company due to failure to make payments on a $150,000 loan which results in the company’s sale to Larson International, Inc. of Plainview, Texas. 2015 A deteriorating Tilt-A-Whirl car, found in a local junkyard, is restored and placed on display in downtown Faribault.
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‘Happy to be here’
High School adjusts schedules, dismissal, lunch to bring students back to class Story & Photos By Michelle Vlasak
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PREVIOUS PAGE: Similar to the dots found in grocery stores, the Faribault High School Administration Office has five green dots to instruct parents and students to social distance while waiting to be helped. RIGHT: Similar to many places, face coverings are required by all students, staff and visitors of the Faribault High School. Reminders are posted on the front doors of the building.
A
long with the traditional school supplies like pens, pencils and planners found on teachers desks, school staff have this year added items such as masks, hand sanitizer, infrared thermometers and tape measures to the collections of items on their desks. With hallways similar to roadways, and a mandatory 6-foot distance in common gathering places such as the classroom and lunch line, the Faribault school district has navigated the various state guidelines and safety protocols to keep a safe environment for both staff and students. In following guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education, the district began its school year in a hybrid scenario, meaning elementary and secondary students would have different schedules to best meet their learning needs. CONTINUES ON PAGE 14 u u u
UPPER RIGHT: Social distancing posters are placed in gathering areas, such as the Administration desk by the front door. LOWER RIGHT: This year, the band room is setup to provide a great amount of space between each student, instead of a horseshoe formation as in the past.
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TOP: All of the hallways in the Faribault High School are directional, and follow similar paths as a roadway with green arrows and lines to limit the crossing of students and staff in the hallway. UPPER LEFT: Pictured is the health screening room where students who may be showing symptoms are sent. After they check-in with the staff member sitting outside of the door, they wait for the school nurse to check them out and determine if they can go back to class, or if they need to be sent home. UPPER MIDDLE: Some additional items found on Faribault High School Principal Jamie Bente’s desk are a mask, hand sanitizer, an infrared thermometer and a tape measure. UPPER RIGHT: Each classroom has a green bucket, a spray bottle and a fresh set of towels. After each hour, teachers are required to wipe down desks and chairs to ensure a clean space. After each towel is used, it is placed in the bucket, not to be used for the rest of the day. Each morning clean towels are delivered to each classroom.
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ABOVE: Pieces of Plexiglas are installed in many offices in the schools, including in the office of Pam Baker, Faribault High School Guidance Office Secretary. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
All frequently touched surfaces would be cleaned and disinfected at least daily, and students, staff and visitors will be required to wear face coverings in district buildings and on buses. Students at Faribault High School attend school (in-person) two days per week. The district’s COVID-Preparedness Plan states middle and high school students are split in two groups: group A who attends in-person learning Monday and Tuesday and distance learning at home on the other days, and group B, who attends in-person learning Thursday and Friday and distance learning at home the other days. Since Wednesdays are distance learning days for all students, more time is available for individual student interventions, enrichment, planning for instruction and deep cleaning in the building, in addition to daily cleaning.
Inside Faribault High School Hand sanitizer stations and green arrows greet students as they walk into the building down the hallways toward their classes. Farib-
ault High School Principal Jamie Bente says school staff move the hand sanitizer stations throughout the day so that they are in places where the students will be, for example by the entrances in the morning and at intersections in the hallways throughout the day. All students and staff are required to wear a mask in the building, in addition to frequent hand washing, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting protocols and monitoring personal health. When lunch hour hits, classes are released strategically in groups to limit students criss crossing in the hallways as much as possible. Bente says each of four groups consist of three to four classrooms pulled from opposite areas of the building, so all classrooms are not released at once. Pieces of green tape spaced 6 feet apart lead students to the lunchroom one by one. Instead of eating lunch in the lunchroom with others, students either have the option to eat outside or in their homeroom. Once they choose one destination, Bente says they stay in that spot for the remainder of the lunch hour, that way there’s no coming and going. CONTINUES ON PAGE 16 u u u
UPPER RIGHT: Hand sanitizer stations are moved throughout the day along intersections where students will be. MIDDLE RIGHT: Students go through the lunch line one-by-one to get their food. Once they exit the lunch room, they can either head right and eat outside, or go left to eat in their homeroom. Once they choose one destination, they are not allowed switch places for the remainder of the lunch hour. LOWER RIGHT: All desks are set up in rows and columns measured to be 6 feet apart from one another. When students are eating lunch, as pictured, they do not need to wear their mask. When class begins, everyone in the classroom will be sitting with a mask on. Fall 2020
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Students walk in a single-file line towards the lunch room. Green lines are horizontally placed 6 feet apart to keep students a safe distance away from one another.
LEFT: Hand sanitizer stations greet students, staff and visitors as they enter the building. RIGHT: Faribault High School Counselor Faith Ahmed sits behind the piece of Plexiglas in her office.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Classrooms are set up to provide social distancing and reduced to approximately 12-18 students at the middle school and 15-21 students at the high school depending on the size of the class and space available. In the band room, the typical horseshoe-formation has been altered to follow social distancing guidelines. The Per-
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forming Arts Center in the high school has also become the new home for choir, as there’s more room to spread out on the stage. Sept. 10 was the first day all students in the first group were present in school; Sept. 8-9 were only for the ninth graders. Given the new rules, Bente says the students were adjusting really well. “I’ve been really impressed by the students when they’re in this building,” said Bente.
“When they’re in this building, they have done what we’ve asked them to do and we haven’t had students say they don’t want to wear a mask, yet or had any social distancing issues. So far it’s been easier to work with the kids than the adults. You could just see it, they were just happy to be here and smiling with their eyes.” Reach reporter Michelle Vlasak at 507-333-3128 or follow her on Twitter @apgmichelle.
All students and staff are required to wear face coverings inside of the buildings, classrooms included. Each desk is 6 feet away from the neighboring desks. Pictured is Holly Olmscheid’s fifth hour math class.
The Performing Arts Center, used for high school staff workshops, has a little over 100 seats available out of 700 total seats. Each white piece of paper represents a seat that is unavailable due to proper social distancing guidelines.
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PROGRESS 18
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Rice County
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working for growth and opportunity
ice County encourages economic growth by identifying development opportunities, supporting the efforts of Rice County communities, building programs and providing tools to compete for quality jobs, leveraging programs offered by our economic development partners, and building relationships and coalitions with organizations that can support the economic momentum and overall county vision. It is the role of the Rice County Economic Development Department to identify and execute steps to take advantage of the County’s assets, respond to opportunities and Guest Columnist challenges, and promote economic Kathy Feldbrugge development countywide per the direction and support of the County Board while balancing goals with realistic resources. The county administrator leads the department with assistance from the economic development coordinator. Responsibilities include increasing the commercial/industrial tax base, encouraging the retention and expansion of existing businesses, recruiting and creating quality job opportunities, and promoting the county as a place to grow business. This year the COVID-19 pandemic brought about additional challenges and new priorities for Rice County and the Economic Development Department. An important priority has been the development and review process of a new Rice County Small Business Grant. With CARES Act funding, Rice County was able to provide a Small Business Grant Program to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19. The maximum grant amount available per applicant is $3,000, and businesses must have 50 or fewer employees to qualify for the grant. In mid-September, the County had received 131 Small Business Grant applications, and continues to accept grant applications until further notice. Information regarding the Rice County CARES Small Business Grant is on the Rice County website, www.co.rice.mn.us. The county is also researching other possibilities regarding financial assistance that could potentially include grant funds for farming operations, as
well as funds for employment training needs for individuals and businesses. A priority for several years has been broadband service in rural Rice County. The County Board and staff understand the importance of broadband service and its connection to quality of life and economic development, and is why continued communication with several broadband providers has occurred regarding the need for service to the unserved and underserved areas of the County. This year Rice County received requests from Nuvera Communications, BEVCOMM and Access Networks asking for the county’s support of their broadband initiatives that would benefit Rice County. The County responded by providing official letters of support, and approving financial requests from BEVCOMM and Access Networks. Many of the Rice County Economic Development priorities and goals are ongoing, and inviting guests to Rice County for special presentations and/or tours happens occasionally. Steve Grove, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, accepted the County’s invitation and spent a day last fall learning more about Rice County. The purpose of the invitation and visit was for the commissioner to see and hear about the many Rice County success stories, to share with him the county’s vision, priorities, challenges and opportunities, and to discuss how the county and community partners can work together with DEED to ensure future growth and success. Economic Development success stories often happen because of willing partnerships, and this has been the case in Rice County. At the request of businesses and with the collaboration of city and other financial partners, Rice County has provided financial assistance for several economic development projects…three recent tax abatement projects include Daikin Applied, SteinAir and Trystar. Over the past few years, Rice County has provided Tax Abatement for five other projects in Faribault and one project in Lonsdale, and approved five revolving loans for four projects in Northfield and one project in Faribault. Some additional priorities for the Economic Development Department include maintaining an inventory of available commercial/industrial properties; evaluating marketing opportunities; coordinating business retention and expansion visits and economic development meetings; and communicating with key individuals at local and state levels regarding policy, legislation, plans and programs that could have an impact on future economic development in Rice County.
PROGRESS Kathy Feldbrugge is the Rice County economic development coordinator.
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Bethlehem Academy: celebrating traditions amid change
W
hen school began in the fall of 2019, no one predicted the changes that would take place in the spring of 2020. Our fall at Bethlehem Academy began with the changing of leaves and the celebration of traditions. Families gathered on the back forty for our back-toschool picnic, students practiced on the court and on the field, and we lived out our mission to “Love as Jesus loved, to lead, to serve, to inspire, and to seek the truth: Veritas� by serving others and empowering our school family to spiritual and academic excellence. By November, hints in the news from overseas indicated that change was in the air. At Bethlehem Academy traditions continued with only a whisper of what was to come. During the Advent season our students celebrated the birth of Christ through Masses, sacraments, and musical concerts. Basketball games hit the floor and the EmGuest Columnist eralds danced their way to a section Melinda Reeder championship, taking fourth at state. Each month our staff honored students who lived out our mission. In January our school joined other schools nationwide to highlight the difference that faith makes
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in education as part of Catholic Schools’ Week, including packing nearly 40,000 meals for families in need. Our SnoBall week in February was the last normal tradition of the year for Bethlehem Academy. By March, national sports were shut down, gym floors empty and Bethlehem Academy, along with schools nationwide, transitioned to distance learning. As a school administrator, we train for academic success and school disasters. We practice fire drills, lock downs, and tornado warnings, but nothing in our educational training prepared schools for the transition to sudden and immediate quarantine where teachers offer academic lessons from a distance. At Bethlehem Academy the one to one nature of our school led to a smoother transition to distance learning, but there was still much to learn as the days turned into weeks and trauma and fear seeped into daily instruction. From the distance, new traditions emerged. Online became the BA lifeline. Students were celebrated online through spotlights, features, and videos even though concerts and sports schedules disappeared from their calendars. A community-wide parade brought joy to quarantined students and families all across Faribault. By May, staff gathered online to seek opportunities to continue spring traditions amidst the quarantine. The Mary Ceremony crowned Mary virtually, graduation signs and cookies delivered smiles to members of the Class of 2020, and a virtual awards ceremony debuted at Bethlehem Academy, along with online fundraisers. On May 29, an in-person diploma presentation was held in the BA parking lot and featured online. President Briscoe announced his retirement, opening the door for additional changes at Bethlehem Academy for the 2020-21 school year. The changes implemented during his leadership left Bethlehem Academy stronger academically and financially. From adding Advanced Placement classes, to agricultural sciences programming and new windows throughout the building. Bethlehem Academy was set for new traditions and goals under new leadership.
In July 2020, I joined the BA family as the new president and principal. Immediately I gathered staff and faculty to create our COVID Preparedness Team. Through planning, partnerships, and months of discussion, a COVID Safety Plan was put into action. We welcomed our students back to in-person learning on Sept. 1 with some of our students continuing to join us online. Throughout the pandemic, my vision and the vision of our staff and governing boards remains clear. We strive to live out the mission of the school each day, to foster a school community that thrives by supporting one another, to seek new partnerships and grants that support our mission and celebrate excellence, and to build upon the rich history, faith and traditions of our school. This vision connected our middle school team this September with a national pilot program. The Positivity Project pilot program selected our school to implement a new curriculum focused on building school communities and relationships amongst middle school scholars. In addition, the Minnesota Independent Schools’ Forum chose Bethlehem Academy to participate in a new STEM program, “We Share Solar,” that teaches students to utilize solar science for
global energy. Once completed, Bethlehem Academy students will share their solar energy project with rural communities in East Africa. Expanding upon our STEM and agricultural programs, BA also dedicated our new Greenhouse with a blessing ceremony. As we evaluate our programs and seek spiritual and academic excellence in all that we offer, this pandemic invites us to prayer and to a greater understanding of the needs around us. At Bethlehem Academy, while we continue to embrace our traditions, we seek unique ways this year, to ensure that the Bethlehem Academy mission thrives while keeping our staff and our students safe. The Bethlehem Academy Cardinals of 2020 will never forget the changes that occurred during their final high school year. Our graduates of 2020 remain Cardinal strong, ready to follow St. Catherine of Siena to, “Be who God meant you to be and ….set the world on fire.” Our Bethlehem Academy faculty, students and staff follow the new safety protocols and guidelines while remaining steadfast in the Bethlehem Academy way – Faith and Families: Together We Fly!
PROGRESS Melinda Reeder is president/principal of Bethlehem Academy.
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Rice County Area United Way:
Helping during a time of need
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ollowing the 2019 merger of the United Way organizations — Faribault and Northfield — Rice County Area United Way was starting its annual grant-making process in early spring 2020 when COVID-19 arrived in Minnesota. In April and June, we awarded $11,700 in COVID-19 microgrants to nonprofit agencies that were dealing with a surge in needs for food, shelter and financial assistance due to the pandemic and its economic impact. These experienced local agencies have worked diligently and creatively to deliver the needed services to more people while keeping clients, staff and volunteers as Guest Columnist safe as possible. Thanks to individuals Penny Hillemann and organizations who donated specifically for this purpose, the United Way was able to get these additional funds out to help meet rising community needs. At the end of June we announced annual grants totaling $240,000 to 27 nonprofit and school-sponsored programs that promote youth success, foster health in individuals and communities, help people acquire skills and habits that lead to long-term financial stability, and assist people experiencing crisis and hardship. Eighteen of these programs provide services to Faribault residents,
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including programs that serve multiple Rice County communities. These programs play an essential role in the United Way’s commitment to fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. Learn more at ricecountyunitedway. org/partner-agencies. As the local sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we also expect to invest approximately $25,000 in 2020-21 promoting all the good things that happen when families read together. Imagination Library sends a free, age-appropriate book each month to more than 900 Rice County area children from infancy to age five. The benefits of reading to babies and young children are enormous. At a time when home life, child care, pre-schools and public library programs have been disrupted, Imagination Library will keep the books coming. The RCAUW board of directors is growing and includes members from both Faribault and Northfield. Our Faribault-based board members currently include Narren J. Brown, Ph.D., South Central College; Anne Marie Leland, Ph.D., Faribault Public Schools; Ryan Knott, Express Mobile Plus; and Gordon Liu, Hourglass Consulting. This year we are also adding two youth members, including Sarah McColley, a senior at Faribault High School. We invite community members who may be interested in serving on our board to get in touch with us. Some people who normally support the United Way will not be in a position to do so this year, but in this extraordinary time the needs are greater than ever. If you are fortunate enough to be financially stable, please consider making a generous donation to Rice County Area United Way at ricecountyunitedway.org. Now more than ever, every gift is needed and makes a difference for our community. Penny Hillemann is executive director of Rice County United Way.
15 families
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moved from renting to home ownership with HRA help
he Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers housing programs for Rice County with the mission of providing decent, safe, and affordable housing. The HRA administers several rental assistance programs, including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, Mainstream voucher and Bridges, a state-funded rental assistance program for adults with a serious mental illness. The HRA also administers a Permanent Supportive Housing grant with the Community Action Center of Northfield. The Section 8 program is the Guest Columnist largest program the HRA administers. Joy Watson It is an income-based rental assistance program that subsidizes rent for families who earn less than 50% of the area median income, $41,200 for a family of four. Because the HRA has a limited number of Section 8 vouchers available, it maintains a waiting list. The waiting was open from August 31 to September 18, 2020; the last time the waiting list was open was 2017. Due to COVID, the HRA made the decision to transition to an online waiting list system. Applicants completed the application form online and then submitted proof that they live or work in Rice County.
This year, the HRA made the decision to transition some of its Section 8 vouchers to project-based vouchers, which allows the HRA to allocate vouchers to specific properties through a competitive request for proposal process. The benefit of project-based vouchers is that it allows the HRA to incentivize the development of affordable housing using existing funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The HRA awarded its first project-based vouchers to Three Rivers Community Action Center for an affordable housing development in Northfield. The vouchers are contingent on Three Rivers being awarded tax credit funding by the state of Minnesota. The HRA also has a homeownership option as part of the Section 8 program, which allows Section 8 participants to convert their existing rental assistance voucher to a home ownership voucher, so rather than assisting the participant with their monthly rental costs, the participant secures their own mortgage for a home and the HRA subsidizes their monthly payment. To date, 15 families have transitioned from rental assistance to home ownership. Over the past year, the HRA took part in a learning cohort through the National Association of Counties and County Health Rankings and Roadmaps; Rice County’s team was made up of the HRA, Rice County Public Health and Rice County Commissioner Galen Malecha. The team spent almost a year with 11 other teams from around the country focused on housing as a social determinant of health and resources available to rural communities. The cohort has been invaluable during COVID-19 because it has provided information about best practices and leveraging resources . As we go in to 2021, the HRA will use that knowledge as we continue to navigate the pandemic and serve the community.
PROGRESS Joy Watson is executive director of the Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
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2020
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New roofs, shelving and a cruise through Rice County history
ver the last year the Rice County Historical Society has, like so many others, seen a whirlwind of change. However, despite the changing times we have been able to weather COVD-19 and accomplish several goals within our organization. In the fall of 2019, RCHS was awarded a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grant to purchase and install new high-density mobile shelving in our building addition. These new shelves provide us with much needed space to continue to grow our collection for the future. In April, two weeks after the COVID pandemic struck, we began the process of re-roofing our Harvest and Heritage halls, made possible by Rice County. These buildings had some sizable leaks in the past, all of which are gone. This new roof allows us to better protect the historic Guest Columnists machines and other artifacts in the Susan Garwood & buildings. David Nichols Museums were among one of the
last groups allowed to reopen, but we are proud to say that among the Minnesota museum community we were one of the first county historical societies to reopen in the state, opening on June 10. Thanks to the work of volunteers, we have been able to modify our space to allow visitors to enjoy the gallery while still maintaining social distance. While our research room is still closed, we are handling research requests remotely so that our community can continue to view and access their history. Our successes don’t end at the museum itself. In late August we held a history cruise around the county, giving the community a chance to learn about historic structures and the sites of the county. This event drew people from as far away as Austin and Apple Valley. It was a great success, and as our goal is to help share the history of the county it was a great way to engage our mission and help people get outside in these isolating times. The Pleasant Valley School on the Rice County Fairgrounds is being scraped of years of lead paint by volunteers, and is expect to be finished by next summer. Additionally, through the support of the Faribault Housing and Redevelopment Authority we’ve also been able to repair all of the windows in the west wing of the historic Alexander Faribault House, repair trim in select places around the house and repaint the entire house. Perhaps two of our biggest projects are yet to come. First, our log cabin, situated on the Rice County Fairgrounds, is scheduled to have a new roof in October. Second, the Lockerby sheet metal family was donated to us in September 2019 should also be up this fall. Through the tireless efforts of volunteers, fundraisers, and craftspeople we have been able to restore the whole family. We expect to have them up and ready for viewing by end of the year. The past 12 months have been a challenge for everyone, we are grateful for the support we have received from the community and the continued interest in our local history.
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Susan Garwood is Rice County Historical Society executive director, David Nichols is its curator.
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Habitat for Humanity
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builds on!
helter in Place,” they said. “Safer at Home,” they said. For those of us who have homes that are safe, affordable and pleasant those were not harsh words to hear. But, far too many people in Rice County having insecure, expensive and unsafe housing. It might be insecure because rent is rising and they may not be able to afford it next month. It might be unsafe because of domestic violence (which has risen during the pandemic) or it might be unsafe for health reasons (poor air quality and mold are big issues). And we know too many people Guest Columnist are paying too much of their income Dayne Norvold for housing (26% of households in Rice County, according to Minnesota Housing Partnership). It’s considered affordable if a household pays no more than 30% of their gross income on housing. When the pandemic struck Habitat’s first worry was our current Habitat homeowners. Would they continue to be able to pay their mortgage (which we rely on for income)? We were able to modify mortgages for about 20% of our Partner Families. Since then, though,
they have been able to get back on track. Our second worry was building. Habitat wasn’t sure how we could build the houses we had planned on. We had planned our first Faith Build for 2020 where we had planned to build a quad (four attached units) in Northfield. We wanted a large group of folks from our faith community to support our efforts (and they were eager to do so!). But, clearly 2020 wasn’t the year for that project (but, we look forward to the Faith Build in 2021). Instead, we pivoted to build three single family homes in Faribault. We had the land and our Partner Families were ready. But, what about volunteers that we rely so heavily on? We didn’t feel comfortable utilizing volunteers in the same way we have in the past so instead we had an opportunity to get five Americorps members to help us for 10 weeks. They were led by an experienced site supervisor, Jim Frederick, and they helped us tremendously! We also engaged with our great subcontractors in a deeper way and they kept us building forward. One split level, six-bedroom house was completed and the family moved in at the end of the summer. The second split level, six bedroom house is about halfway done and our third slab on grade house is getting started. Our regular Go To Crew will follow COVID precautions to get these homes done by the end of 2020. When they are done, 25 new people (two families with 11 people in them and another family of 3) will have a safe, decent and affordable place to live. I’m grateful to work with a nimble organization that has a solid footing in our mission to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Dayne Norvold is executive director of Rice County Habitat for Humanity.
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Even in the outdoors,
River Bend made adjustments
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743-acre treasure tucked into the southeast corner of Faribault, River Bend Nature Center has been meeting its mission of helping people discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world that surrounds us since its establishment in 1978. With 10 miles of trails winding through maple-basswood forests, a restored prairie, wetlands, and along the Straight River, it has been especially embraced by people during the pandemic seeking exercise and appreciating nature. Progress is a constant process at River Bend. In the realm of educaGuest Columnist tion, schools from up to a 50-mile Patrick Mader radius have boarded buses and hiked the trails and explored nature, some classrooms as many as two to three times per year to supplement science classes. Waste reduction education is hosted in all Rice County schools, emphasizing ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle as part of a joint effort with the county. And a new partnership with Faribault High School has students on site daily learning and working on projects through a field biology internship course led by Peter Jacobson. The staff at River Bend has nimbly adapted to changes forced by the pandemic. Executive Director Breanna Wheeler takes justifiable pride in how they have adjusted education to small groups and low contact options. Summer programs became micro camps on learn-
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ing outdoor skills and exploring nature. Small, physically-distanced programs for scouting groups, clubs, businesses, schools, and those learning from home are offered and online delivery or small group on site programs for school are available. The time of the pandemic also increased conservation efforts and the effort to protect dwarf lily habitat—a forest wildflower only found in Rice, Goodhue, and Steele Counties and nowhere else on Earth. There are currently 54 acres in the Conservation Partners Legacy program which is restoring native woodland habitat to protect this rare species. Invasive species removal — primarily buckthorn, garlic mustard, and dame’s rocket — is an ongoing effort that has received more attention and will allow native plant life and wildlife diversity to flourish. Another 26 acres are enrolled in a program being restored to native hardwood forests as invasive species are removed and seeding and tree plantings take root. In addition, 36 acres are in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) which had previously been farmed and are now managed as native prairie. If you are interested in observing migratory birds and seeing the outdoor classroom, please consider visiting these habitats. River Bend Nature Center is a 501c3 nonprofit nature center which does not receive national, state or local funding for operations. It depends upon community support, partnerships, and the generosity of individual and business donations. Please consider contributing to this Rice County wonderland! Learn more about this gem at www.rbnc.org or www.facebook. com/RiverBendMN and have fun as you bike; hike through the woods; cross country ski in the quiet and softness created by snow; observe warblers, woodpeckers, bluebirds, and scarlet tanagers; and witness pollinators in the prairie, fox stalking prey and browsing deer! Patrick Mader is River Bend Nature Center Board of Directors’ vice president.
A year in Paradise:
Polishing the gem
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he past year has brought many changes to the Paradise Center for the Arts and we are proud of the progress we have made! In October of 2019, the former executive director left, and for the next six weeks the staff pulled together managing the daily operations. In November, I stepped in as interim director to be the face of the Paradise for the community and the liaison between the board and the staff. Within just a few weeks, I discovered how much I loved this challenging role and the women I have the pleasure to work with. I accepted the position of executive Guest Columnist director March 19, just in time to Heidi Nelson ride the storm of the pandemic. Before the COVID-19 lockdown, we were progressing toward creating a strong 2020-21 season of entertainment, classes, and gallery exhibitions. I am proud to say that during the three months that our doors were closed, we continued as a staff to work finding ways to stay connected to the community, as well as finding ways to fundraise and economize. We spent the time we were closed organizing, painting, and updat-
ing the Paradise all on a shoestring budget thanks to generous donations of talent and treasure. It was a joy to open again for our first post-pandemic gallery exhibition on June 12, 2020 utilizing Facebook Live and Zoom to engage with our patrons and artists who didn’t feel comfortable coming to see us in person. Since June we have been open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and we welcome the visitors who want to enjoy our four on-site galleries. We have also continued with in person, physically distanced art classes here at the Paradise, as well as virtual classes that make some of our teachers and students feel more comfortable. As executive director, I am proud of the staff and board of directors for maintaining a positive outlook during this difficult time. I’m also proud of our ability to adapt our events by offering a livestream option for our audience. We held a fundraiser in May that allowed us to purchase the equipment we needed and we were lucky enough to have an unpaid intern for the summer who helped us learn how to use it. Now you can enjoy a show from the comfort of your living room. This service is something that we will continue even after we are allowed full auditorium capacity because it is a way for us to reach more of our community members who might otherwise not be able to join us in person. The past year has been a challenge for our industry and we are very grateful to our members and the Faribault community for donations of time, talent and treasure. I am especially grateful for the amazing staff that continues to work toward making the Paradise Center for the Arts a polished gem for the city of Faribault. Heidi Nelson is Paradise Center for the Arts’ executive director.
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REIMAGINING
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education in an ever-changing world
t would be hard to overstate the impact COVID-19 has had on our school district, and education across the country. We’ve to reimagine how we deliver content and instruction, and we continue to adjust to ever-changing health information as we work to keep everyone safe. The good news is that in the face of the constant barrage of challenges this pandemic has presented, our district has continued to move forward. Our staff and students have risen to the occasion, showed their resilience, and strived for excellence. We accomplished many great things during the 201920 school year and I’m confident 2020-21 will be another successful year. Guest Columnist Looking back to the end of last Todd Sesker year, we earned the community’s support for an operating levy to implement a 7-period day at the high school. Starting this fall, for the first time in over 30 years, Faribault students will have more opportunities to explore their interests and discover what they’re passionate about as they choose from 26 new course offerings. We’ve also approved plans for a new early-childhood facility that will allow us to provide more opportunities for our youngest learners. Our students continue to lead in our community. Last December, student groups raised over $14,000 for local families in need. We’ve had students make and donate dozens of blankets and pillows made for Ruth’s house, deliver care packages to military families, raise
$4,000 for a Faribault alum whose young child was diagnosed with cancer, raise $5,000 for the Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics, collect can goods for the food shelf, and participate in many other service projects around our Faribault. Our students have also excelled in extracurricular activities. Our DECA students qualified for state and national competitions. Our theater department put on outstanding productions. Our music students performed at the Minnesota Music Educators conference and won numerous individual awards. Our dance, track, swim and dive, wrestling, and gymnastics programs all had athletes qualify for state and proudly represent Faribault. I believe our time in distance learning this spring served as a reminder of just how vital education is to our community and to society as a whole. I couldn’t be prouder of our staff for their commitment to educating our students, whether virtually or in person. I’ve been astounded by their ability to adapt, innovate and continue to find ways to connect with students. Our administration has also worked tirelessly to respond to the ever-changing education landscape and establish our plans for this school year. So far, we’ve seen very positive results with our smaller class sizes keeping students safe and allowing for more individualized instruction. This pandemic has forced us to look at education differently. It will be interesting to see what we learn and what adjustments we make to how we deliver instruction based on this experience. We don’t know exactly what the future of education will look like, but we do know that we will continue to do everything we can to provide the best education possible for our students and families. We will learn, adjust, and keep what we value. I am optimistic and excited about the future of Faribault Public Schools. Todd Sesker is superintendent of Faribault Public Schools.
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MOVIN’ ON UP In new building, Faribault’s Trystar well positioned for growth
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Story By Andrew Deziel
ith support from the city of Faribault and Rice County, a homegrown Faribault business is settling into roomy new digs that will enable it to stay and grow locally for years to come. Founded in 1992 by Rick Dahl, Trystar manufactures temporary electrical power units for commercial and emergency services purposes. Its products are particularly in demand when natural
disaster hits — and they’ve been in demand more than ever in recent months. The commercial side of its business, which typically produces units for large events and festivals, has been flattened by the pandemic. However, that’s more than been made up for by the emergency services side. In addition to producing units for testing stations and other emergency medical uses, Trystar has seen significant demand as hurricane season gets into full swing. According to CEO AJ Smith, August was the company’s busiest month ever. CONTINUES ON PAGE 30 u u u
TOP: Last year, Trystar CEO AJ Smith showed Faribault area business leaders around the company’s facility in December 2019. Less than a year later, Trystar now inhabits a much larger facility across the street from Met-Con. (File photo/southernminn.com)
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Until Met-Con completes a 20,000 square-foot addition, Trystar’s sales staff are working in small cubicles on its factory floor. (Andrew Deziel/southernminn.com)
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
Even before the pandemic, Trystar had seen robust demand and growth for years. With a reputation for quality and an ability to get its products to customers in a timely CEO AJ Smith fashion, it won devoted customers from all over the world. Since 1997, Trystar has worked closely with Faribault’s Met-Con Cos. to meet its space needs
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as they increased. By last year, the company had 150 full-time employees in Faribault and even more during peak times, but they were spread out over no fewer than five facilities. While all of those buildings are located in north Faribault’s industrial park, Smith said the arrangement hindered the company’s efficiency. The company sought a solution as far back as 2012, but a proposed 170,000 square-foot facility in Shakopee never came to fruition. Efforts to address Trystar’s space situation kicked into high gear again in 2018, when Dahl sold the company to Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison, a Twin Cities-based equity firm which quickly brought in Smith, a former Honeywell executive, to run the ship. After more than a decade at the much larger Honeywell, Smith turned his focus to taking an informed but unique approach at the much smaller Trystar. One of his first moves as CEO was to open a new office in Burnsville.
Smith has said that the new location has proven to be a recruiting tool for Twin Citiesbased workers. It’s also convenient for customers, thanks to its proximity to the MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport, though Trystar does most of its actual product shipment via land. Smith then turned his attention to dealing with Trystar’s space problem. Despite the company’s investment in Burnsville, Smith said his goal was to keep the company’s main location in Faribault, enabling it to maintain existing partnerships and avoid uprooting its workforce. Initially, Trystar and Met-Con explored the option of expanding one of the company’s existing Faribault locations. However, they discovered that under the current building code, none of those sites could be expanded sufficiently to meet the company’s needs. While it was not the company’s preference, Trystar expanded its search to include potential
A homegrown Faribault company, Trystar employs 150 full-time employees and hires an additional 50 during peak times. (Andrew Deziel/southernminn.com)
‘If we tried to attract a new company to Faribault, it would probably cost 10 times this amount. The amount that we’re going to put into tax abatement to retain this company here seems to be a no-brainer for me.’ – Faribault City Councilor Tom Spooner
sites in Burnsville and Lakeville. There, it found several sites that could accommodate current needs and future growth for an affordable price. As an effort to stay in town, Trystar inquired about a 100,000-square foot warehouse recently constructed by Met-Con. It was built for the Cheese Cave, Faribault Foods and SageGlass, but those companies expressed interest in moving into the facilities Trystar would vacate instead. While this option could meet the needs of all
companies, it would cost about $550,000 more for TryStar than comparable options in the south metro. About $400,000 of this was due to higher rent over a period of time, and $150,000 to accommodate needed building modifications. Because the project wouldn’t be tied to a new company or new jobs, get funding from it from traditional economic development agencies was a challenge. Instead, Rice County and the city of Faribault stepped in. To city and county officials, the move was largely uncontroversial. According to a memo from Faribault Community and Economic Development Director Deanna Kuennen, 80% of a city’s new jobs and investment traditionally come from existing firms. “If we tried to attract a new company to Faribault, it would probably cost 10 times this amount,” Faribault City Councilor Tom Spooner said in March. “The amount that we’re going to put into tax abatement to retain this company here seems to be a no-brainer for me.” Faribault’s Economic Development Authority joined the city and county in the investment, approving a $100,000 loan, forgivable after five years. The remaining $450,000 was covered
via tax abatement. In a tax abatement district, additional value due to development is diverted to cover the cost of development. In total, the city’s portion of the abatement was $260,040, with the county covering $189,960. Both agreements stretch out over a 10-year period. With help from Met-Con and the companies which had previously occupied the building, Trystar was able to move into the new facility in July. However, the project isn’t quite done yet, with a 20,000 square-foot office addition not scheduled for completion until November. In the meantime, Trystar’s office staff have been huddled in workstations on the factory floor. Smith said with a laugh that they’ve had to get a bit creative, wearing headphones to block out most of the noise and enable them to do their job. Ironically, the pandemic provided a slight boost to Trystar’s efforts to move into its new facility. Smith said that when it hit, the demand for Faribault Foods’s canned goods spiked so dramatically that it suddenly no longer needed the extra storage space in the facility. SageGlass was the other main occupant of the 100,000 square-foot building, with Prairie CONTINUES ON PAGE 32 u u u
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Farms only occupying a small portion of the space. Smith praised SageGlass’s efforts to make the move as seamless as possible. “It took a lot of coordination, but they made it easy for us because they were so collaborative,” he said. For his part, Met-Con’s Troy Zabinski said he was pleased to have been able to find a solution that worked for everyone involved. Like Trystar, Met-Con is a home-grown business, started by Faribault native Tom McDonough out of his garage in the late 1970s. Smith praised Met-Con’s work, describing the new building as “state of the art.” He said that the roomy new facility fits Trystar’s needs “perfectly” and will serve as a solid “foundation for growth.” “It’s very difficult to deal with these times, but this will set us up to grow and increase our business over time,” he said. “We’re so glad to have found a place 3 miles up the road didn’t disrupt our operations.”
This 20,000 square-foot addition, once complete, will house some of Trystar’s office staff. (Andrew Deziel/ southernminn.com)
Reach Reporter Andrew Deziel at 507-333-3129 or follow him on Twitter @FDNandrew
“It’s very difficult to deal with these times, but this will set us up to grow and increase our business over time. We’re so glad to have found a place 3 miles up the road didn’t disrupt our operations. – CEO AJ Smith
Trystar’s new facility sits just across the road from Met-Con Cos., with which it has had a longtime partnership. (Andrew Deziel/ southernminn.com)
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