The Planning & Zoning Commission heard from CEDA consultant Jayme Longmire about using the City of Rushford Village’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to support development and infrastructure tied to housing and community growth. Current RLF guidelines exclude direct investment in residential real estate, so Longmire has contacted the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to clarify whether the fund can be used for broader community development projects that catalyze housing and related infrastructure. She is awaiting feedback from DEED and seeking input from the Council and Planning & Zoning on public–private partnership models and potential local developers, noting that outside developers are unlikely to come in.This is an early-stage signal that CRV is actively looking for creative financing, development structures, and implementation support for housing-related infrastructure and community development. Vendors in areas such as housing and infrastructure consulting, development advisory, legal/compliance around RLF use, and public-private partnership structuring could position themselves now to help shape how the RLF is deployed once DEED guidance is received.

Discussion stemmed from a Rushford EDA housing meeting at MiEnergy and focuses on using RLF for community development and infrastructure to support housing growth via local private/public partnerships.