EDA Meeting Date: September 28, 2026
To: Members of the Economic Development Authority
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Scott Wopata, Community Development Director
Title
Review and Discussion of Modified, Amended and Restated Resolution of the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
Body
Action Requested:
Discussion only.
Summary Report:
There are several organizational structures available for community economic development programs. The structure a community chooses depends on the activities it wants to pursue. For example, some communities focus on business development and job creation, while others focus on housing development or redevelopment. Still others address all these areas, with priorities that may change over time. The main theme of the proposed changes are 1) administrative updates and 2) consolidating the HRA’s responsibilities and powers within the EDA.
Minnesota cities have authority under state law to establish an Economic Development Authority (EDA). An EDA can help a community carry out a broad development program involving business development, redevelopment, and housing. Northfield currently has a separate Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) whose members are City Council members, a common arrangement. State law also allows a city to grant HRA powers to its EDA, subject to applicable statutory requirements, including those related to levy authority.
The Northfield EDA was established by the City Council through an enabling resolution under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 469. The enabling resolution defines the specific powers the Council has granted to the EDA. The EDA’s authority comes from both state law and the Council’s decision to establish it and delegate powers through that resolution.
Northfield’s current enabling resolution was adopted many years ago. Some provisions are outdated, inconsistent with current organizational practices, or no longer reflective of how the City and EDA operate. The proposed update is i...
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