By Sara Quam
Luverne faces challenges in drawing new businesses to town, but Economic Development Director Tony Chladek hopes those challenges can be met.

Major blocks to new businesses are low unemployment and lack of office spaces, according to Chladek, who presented extensive business and employment research at the Tuesday EDA meeting.

Rock County's unemployment rate is at about 2.4 percent, the lowest in the eight-county southwest Minnesota region.

"I think that's a significant piece of information," Chladek said. "We're just not going to see huge employers coming to our area with the unemployment rate we have."

New businesses in the county are usually small and employ about three to four people to start with.

"A new business that employs 300 people is a homerun, and that just doesn't happen very often," Chladek said.

Chladek brought to the meeting many labor figures divided into employment areas.
Compared to the rest of southwest Minnesota and the state as a whole, Luverne is average or above average in most categories. For example, Rock County has a higher concentration of employees in the finance, insurance and real estate fields.

The state averages well above the county, however, in weekly wages with $643.97, compared to Rock CountyÕs $408.25. The countyÕs weekly wage rate averages to be slightly below southwest Minnesota which averages $424.72.

Growing in greater Minnesota
One thing in southwest Minnesota's favor is the support of the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, which has set a goal to help curb urban sprawl in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

It hopes to do that by encouraging new and expanding businesses to take advantage of rural Minnesota's quiet lifestyle, room to grow and good schools and amenities.

If those plans work, businesses will bring a higher population of workers as they relocate to greater Minnesota.

When businesses want to locate in a town such as Luverne, a deterrent can be that there's no available office space. Small technology-based companies often have few workers and just want a small office for their base.

That's where the term incubator building comes in. The term refers to a large building that houses a few to several office spaces. Businesses within the offices can be completely independent or share some facilities and resources.

Cities sometimes develop the buildings and rent out space to new businesses to help them get started - usually with a three-year time limit and increasing lease rates during the business's time there.

Some grants are available and some groups may be interested in sponsoring an incubator building project, which typically cost about $1 million for a new or retrofitted building.

"If we put out the feelers, we can make it happen," Chladek said.

The National Business Incubation Association says 87 percent of businesses who leave the incubator facilities are still in business and that 84 percent stay in the same communities they started in.

EDA looks at service training
The EDA will start offering monthly training for service industry employees. The cost of the project is free to businesses for a trial period and will cost the city about $1,000 after grant assistance.

The monthly seminars will help improve the first impression many travelers get about the city. Luverne Chamber of Commerce Director Dave Smith said it is good for employees, businesses and the community.

The classes will be an option for all Luverne businesses and employees. Smith said the image of service workers and their attitudes when curious travelers stop make a big difference in the success of the community.

Luverne's Jesson Vogt straps on a pair of snowshoes Saturday afternoon in the Blue Mounds State Park. He was one of several people who participated in the park's snowshoe workshop, which culminated with a session on tracking animals in the snow. Park activities continued Sunday with a dedication of the new all-season warming house.

First place in the Business and Industry division was a float put together by The Final Touch, Cook's and Connell Car Care. It was titled, "Christmas Wonder."

St. John Lutheran Church took first place in the Churches division with its entry, "The First Musical Holiday."

The Skattum Family took first place in the Civic, Neighborhood and Families division with their entry, "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

The first place People's Choice Award this year went to Hills Stainless Steel for their float entry, "Angels' Voices."

Winners in he Neighborhood Christmas Lanes, judged by KQAD radio, were also named over the weekend.

The Beaver Creek Holiday Tour of Homes begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in Beaver Creek.

Homes featured on the tour are the Jeff and Cammie Dysthe residence, the Rick and Lila Tatge residence, the Chad and Tami Rauk residence, the Chris and Jodi Harnack residence and the Carmen and Amy Christensen residence.

The Beaver Creek Fireman's Auxiliary and the Hills-Beaver Creek Education Association will serve lunch at the elementary school. A freewill donation will be accepted.

Tickets for the tour are $5 in advance or $7 the day of the tour. Advance tickets are available at Rauk's Hilltop Stop, Orv's Service, the banks in Beaver Creek, Hills and Steen and the Hills-Beaver Creek schools. Tickets the day of the tour are available at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School.

Hills-Beaver Creek school staff members are sponsoring the tour. All proceeds will be donated to the Ron Rauk Benefit Fund.

Slippery roads Tuesday morning contributed to this truck rollover by the Beaver Creek and Hills exit along Interstate I-90. Hills-Beaver Creek, Luverne and other area schools canceled classes.Ha

By Sara Quam
Welfare to Work has become a necessary phrase that defines the transition of clients who will stop receiving benefits after 60 months.

Brian Sietsema, Luverne, is helping local people make that transition by starting full-time work at Rock County Family Services this week.

Job counselor for the Private Industry Council, Sietsema contracts with Family Services to work with those receiving cash assistance.

"People who apply for the cash assistance are referred to an employment services provider, and our goal is to figure out a way to get them off it quickly," Sietsema said.

Sietsema deals only with clients who are able to work in some capacity. He tries to help them develop job skills and identify suitable work.

Cash assistance isn't what it used to be. It now comes in the form of the Minnesota Family Investment Program, which expects, supports and rewards work.

Unlike former systems in which benefits were more-readily handed out and receivers had little monitoring, MFIP has strict requirements and makes it easier to work than to remain on welfare.

The Minnesota Legislature set the lifetime limit of cash benefits at 60 months in 1997. So those who were in the program at that time can expect to have benefits stopped in June 2002.

Sietsema is trying to get Rock County clients to be self-sufficient, especially those who were in the program when the state set the limit.

"Most of my folks don't want to be on assistance," Sietsema said. Of the almost 25 that he works with, 15 are employed and most of those are full time.

The state's call
Agencies across the state are starting to worry about the effects of cutting off cash benefits to clients after their 60-month limit. Those who started with benefits before programs like Sietsema’s may have the hardest time making do.

In a December legislative forum that Sietsema will attend, state officials will hear from different agencies concerned about the program.

Sietsema said he isn't in favor of unlimited benefits, but he is concerned about families with children who can't make ends meet.

"I hate to see kids taken away from their parents if they're good parents, and that's going to be one of the repercussions," Sietsema said.

The cost of taking children out of homes that can't provide for basic needs is more costly than helping to meet those needs, Sietsema said.

"The state is going to have to balance whether we’re better off letting people stay in the program if they have children," he said, "or if it's better taking them off the program and ending up taking children out of the home."

Some in the industry think that the state will decide to take a middle-ground approach and allow some discretion with the 60-month limit. Others fear that any leeway will send a mixed message to clients who were initially told they had a strict time limit.

Hitting the 60-month lifetime cut-off is a concern for Sietsema, but not as much as it is in other counties with similar populations. "A lot of people need it, and they're not on it really long," Sietsema said.

Sietsema said Rock County employers and clients have had good attitudes and moved forward more quickly than other counties have.

Motivation is a key part of Sietsema’s job. "You have to think this person will make it," he said. "You get your hopes dashed a lot because you think 'this person's got a great job and it's going to work out.' And sometimes it doesn't, but you have to think they'll make it."

By Lori Ehde
The home of Tim and Julie Burns at 513 N. Freeman is one of four local homes featured in the Christmas Parade of Homes Sunday. The stately home is noted for its high ceilings and generous windows, restored woodwork and original cabinetry. Tim and Julie, both artists, have decorated their home with their talents. Walls and ceilings are tastefully etched by Julie's stencil creations, and cabinets, countertops and walls are graced by Tim's pottery and Julie’s dried floral arrangements.

Other homes featured on the tour include the A.D. LaDue Resident Suites at 515 N. Estey, owned by Mike and Wanda Jarchow; the rural home of Bruce and Harveen Gluf just south of Luverne on Highway 75; and the home of Steve and Mary Jo Graphenteen east of Luverne near the radio station.

Decorating assistance for the homes is provided by Final Touch, Jubilee floral department, Diane Jauert, Glen's Food Center floral department and Luverne Flowers.

The event, sponsored by the Luverne Optimist Hockey Club and the Blue Mound Ice Arena, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets, which cost $6, are available from 12:30 to 4:40 p.m. at the Luverne Country Club on the day of the parade. Admission includes refreshments and transportation to and from the Graphenteen home.

The fourth annual Winterfest celebration in Luverne is shaping up to be as good or better than those in previous years.

For one thing, the parade keeps growing. With 38 float entries in Saturday night’s Parade of Lights, it's the biggest ever. "There’s a lot of support," said Chamber Director Dave Smith. "People are excited about it."

The theme for this year’s parade, which starts at 7 p.m., is "A Musical Christmas." The Green Earth Players will again lead Christmas caroling before and after the parade.

New at the parade this year will be hot chili to warm cold spectators. The Lions Club will sponsor a chili feed from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the former Smith Furniture building on Main Street.

During the parade, Lions Club vendors will serve chili up and down Main Street. After the parade, if there's any left over, chili will also be served at the Carnegie Cultural Center.

Another Winterfest activity that keeps growing is the craft show. This year, more than 85 vendors will set up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the new Cardinal Gym and elementary commons area.

"The lighting is so much better in the new gym," Smith said. "The crafters and the people attending will appreciate that."

New at the craft show this year will be Santa’s Workshop, sponsored by 4-H in the Community Education wing of the elementary school.

Set up for children in kindergarten through fourth grade, Santa's little helpers will create Christmas presents while their parents take in the craft show.

Aside from the parade and craft show, other Winterfest activities include the "Angel Inn" dinner theatre, performed and served by the American Reformed Church.

Performances are at 6 p.m. Friday and Sunday nights, and after the parade on Saturday night at the church.

Other Friday events include Story Hour at 10 a.m. at the library, featuring puppets and special visitors. A cribbage tournament begins at 5 p .m. at the Eagles Club, and a Middle School Dance will be from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Middle School gym.

The Festival of Trees will continue at the Carnegie Cultural Center, which features more than 30 Christmas trees, creatively decorated by local organizations and businesses. The Carnegie will be open from 12:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Other Saturday events include the National Guard winter training starting 9 a.m. at the fairgrounds; Holiday Bake Sale at 10:30 a.m. and soup and dessert luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center; SnoMasters Swap Meet from noon to 3 p.m. at Sharkee’s; and a Senior High School Dance will be from 8 to 11 p.m. in the middle school gym.

The Hinkly House, Rock County Museum and Holy Trinity Church will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Luverne Optimist Hockey Club and Blue Mound Ice Arena, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available from 12:30 to 4:40 p.m. that day at the Luverne Country Club.
Featured homes this year: Tim and Julie Burns at 513 N. Freeman, Mike and Wanda Jarchow at 515 N. Estey, Bruce and Harveen Gluf south of Luverne across from Pamida, and Steve and Mary Jo Graphenteen east of Luverne near the radio station.

Also on Sunday, Blue Mounds State Park will host a dedication ceremony for its all-season shelter at 1 p.m. The park will also offer a snowshoe workshop from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Throughout the weekend, motorists can view local neighborhood Lighted Lanes. Maps are available at the Chamber office at local convenience stores.

"We've got everything lined up," Smith said. "We just hope the weather cooperates and everyone shows up."

"The kids were not fighting with each other when we fell behind 14-0, and that was nice to see. Once the opportunities started to present themselves, we took advantage of them. We're a young offensive team with nine new starters. As the game went on, the frequency of the mistakes we made grew fewer," Swanson offered.

The Cards will need to display even more improvement when they host Windom for the Southwest Conference opener tomorrow. Windom beat St. James 31-13 Friday.

"You can win or lose any game in conference play. Windom is very similar to us experience-wise. They have a new head coach and a couple of really good running backs," Swanson concluded.

Team statistics

Luverne: 177 rushing yards, 104 passing yards, 281 total yards, 11 first downs, seven penalties for 45 yards, one turnover.

New Ulm: 165 rushing yards, 80 passing yards, 245 total yards, nine penalties for 75 yards, five turnovers, 10 first downs.

Individual statistics

Rushing: Walgrave 19-115, Sandbulte 7-26, Skattum 4-28, Fisher 3-0, Papik 1-3.

Passing: Fisher 5-17 for 104 yards.
"I think I'm going to lose my hair," Swanson said, right before LHS closed out a 22-14 victory at Cardinal Field.

Winning the game wasn't on Swanson's mind when he made the comment. The way Luverne won it was.

After being unable to produce any points with their first 10 offensive possessions of the game, the Cardinals scored 22 points in the final 5:32 of play to secure a remarkable come-from-behind win.

"We talked about it after the game, and we couldn't remember coming back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter since I've been coach. We came back from a 10-0 deficit in the fourth quarter of a game during my first year as coach, but not from 14 points behind," Swanson said.

The rally was an impressive one, and even more improbable.

Counting Luverne's last possession of the first half and the first four of the second half, the Cards started or ended drives in New Ulm territory without scoring a single point.

Just when it looked like the Cards would run out of opportunities to score, three big plays (one on offense, one on defense and one on special teams) turned a 14-0 deficit into a thrilling, eight-point win.

The comeback started after the Cardinal defense forced New Ulm to punt, giving the ball to the LHS offense in good field position.

After a penalty on the first play of the possession, the second play turned into a 42-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field from quarterback James Fisher to receiver Luke Iveland.

When Fisher booted the extra point, the Cards cut New Ulm's lead in half with 5:32 remaining in the game.

Luverne's defense forced New Ulm to punt after three plays into its next possession, which set up a big play by the LHS punt return team.

Cardinal defender Ryan Goebel raced through New Ulm's line and blocked the attempted punt. New Ulm recovered the loose ball well behind the first-down maker, giving the LHS offense possession on the Eagle' 15-yard line.

Luverne fullback Tony Sandbulte picked up five yards with his run on first down, which was followed by a 10-yard touchdown scamper by Brad Walgrave on third down with 2:45 left to play.

The Cards then lined up for the potential game-tying extra point when another break fell in their favor.

Holder Jordan Papik was forced to stand up to make the catch from his center. When he tried to get the ball back on the tee for Fisher's kick, it was too late. Papik then picked up the ball and ran around the right side of Luverne's lineman for a successful two-point conversion that gave the Cards their first lead at 15-14.

"New Ulm was trying to block the extra point up the middle, which worked out great for us. If they would have tried to block it from the outside, we would have been in trouble," Swanson said.

New Ulm still had time to regain the lead with 2:45 remaining, but Fisher came up big four plays into the Eagles' next possession when he intercepted a pass and returned it to the New Ulm 37.

After four running plays advanced the ball 34 yards, Fisher scored on a three-yard keeper with 39 seconds remaining before adding the extra point.

New Ulm, which turned the ball over five times in the game, had any chances of a late comeback erased when Walgrave intercepted a pass in the final seconds.

"The big thing was we finally got the opportunities to do something and the kids made it happen. We hung in there and didn't quit, especially after a rough first 16 minutes," Swanson said.

New Ulm did control the game in the first half.

The Eagles turned their first offensive possession into an 11-play, 67-yard drive that ended with Matt Schmidt catching a 14-yard touchdown pass during a fourth-and-10 situation. Cardinal Zach Skattum blocked the extra point to keep the score at 6-0 at the 6:51 mark of the first quarter.

New Ulm's third possession of the game developed into a nine-play, 54-yard scoring drive capped by Micah Niedecker's 12-yard touchdown run at 7:47 of the second quarter. Schmidt ran in the conversion to make the difference 14-0.

Receiving: Iveland 2-54, Walgrave 2-20, Papik 1-30.

Defense: Walgrave one interception, Fisher one interception, Tom Frey one interception, Iveland one fumble recovery, Travis Moser one fumble recovery, Skattum one blocked kick, Goebel one blocked kick.