By Joseph Back

Want to spruce up your business appearance? If so, the City of Cottage Grove has a facade improvement program for you, with a fifty percent match for up to $25,000 in facade work.

Priority zones for the facade improvement program include Highway 61, the southwest corner of Keats and 70th Street, and the northwest corner of 70th and Hinton.

Also of interest from a economic development standpoint, more businesses have been showing interest in the city, following a trip by both council and city staff members to the ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities) event at Las Vegas from May 22 through the 24. First though, there were some local items, with city economic development director Gretchen Larson giving the update June 27. First up: NorthPoint!

“Brent Miles said capital goes where capital is welcome, and so you should congratulate yourselves on all the hard work you did to get them here,” Larson said of NorthPoint. “I’m sure they’ll be a great partner just like all the businesses in the business park.” Footings and foundation permits had been issued for both current buildings planned by North-Point, Larson shared, with inspection planned as well. Plumbing plans had been submitted and were awaiting approval by the State Plumbing board. With regard to the buildings themselves, one was planned for 282,225 square feet, with another to be built first totaling 492,839 square feet.

Following the update on NorthPoint, there was Renewal by Andersen to talk about.

“Renewal by Andersen had yet another expansion,” Larson shared of the June 12 event. “Again, the Mayor said it well, ‘we’ll be back in two years for your next expansion’,” she said. “It’s awesome to see your strategic planning and how it’s all paying off.” With footing and foundation work progressing on the Cottage Grove Apartments as a 171-unit market rate building it was into the Beige Book Report. Said report is prepared eight times a year by the Ninth Federal Reserve District headquartered in Minneapolis, which district Cottage Grove is part of. Larson shared a rundown.

“Things are good in the

See EDA Page 2

Economic Development Authority President Myron Bailey ticked off the businesses that were seeking Cottage Grove out during the Tuesday morning EDA meeting. Image courtesy CottageGroveMN YouTube channel.

The City of Cottage Grove is willing to help businesses with a fifty percent match for up to $25,000 in facade improvement. Image from Cottage Grove city website. CEDARHURST

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Next to them, at ground level, are another set: Mary F. Severance 1863 – 1925 Near to this, but with no dates, is a name: Alexandra Severance Nearby these ground level stones—all granite—is an obelisk (also granite), which repeats the names and dates of Cordenio (C. A.) and Mary F. Severance.

Cordenio, Mary, Alexandra: let us begin here. But as to the relation (if any) between them? That find, will have to wait for next week, or else hereafter.

Cordenio A. Severance looks out from the wall at Cedarhurst Mansion off Keats Avenue this past fall. Photo of photo by Joseph Back.

The gravestone of Cordenio A. Severance at the Old Cottage Grove cemetery. Nearby are ones inscribed “Mary F. Severance” and “Alexandra Severance,” made of the same material. Photo by Joseph Back.