Economic Development
The Economic Development Authority (EDA) was established in 2001to assist businesses needing financial assistance to purchase equipment, looking to expand or businesses looking to relocated to Lonsdale.
The EDA consists of seven members, of which five are community members, business owners, and two City Councilmembers.
The EDA meets the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 am in the City Council Chambers, 415 Central St. W.
The EDA administers a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). In addition, the EDA will consider using other financial incentives such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Tax Abatement.
The EDA has been involved in the construction of two business parks. The first is the Industrial Park Dr. SE development, which was constructed in 2005 and is full. The second is the Lonsdale Business Park adjacent to State Trunk Highway 19, which was completed in 2014 and is the premier site. It is a Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Shovel Ready Certified Development site.
Lonsdale is attractive to businesses because:
- Progressive City Council and the ability to meet project timelines
- Available land mass and infrastructure capacity
- Largest workforce in Rice County
- 10 ton State Highway 19 and quick access to I-35 and south metro
- Affordable housing and high quality of life