As construction continues on the PrairiE Loft Apartment buildings in Luverne, the company is now advertising for fall lease arrangements.
At Monday’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority, the board reviewed progress on the apartment construction.
There are two, three-story, 27-unit apartment buildings along Hatting Street toward the east end of what used to be the Sharkee’s and Mert’s Repair lots.
They’re being built with support from the City of Luverne, which secured a workforce housing grant to ease housing shortages and encourage local job growth.
On Monday, EDA Director Hollly Sammons referred the board to GreenSmith Builders’ social media updates. The roof is on, windows and doors are installed, and decks are starting to appear on the exterior of each unit.
One of the questions the company recently answered on Facebook and Instagram is, “Why are the buildings now black?”
The exterior is coated with a Naturaseal barrier that is “waterproof, weather- and vapor-resistant, UV stable and eco-friendly. It’s liquid applied and can accommodate building settlement because there are no seams or overlaps that can happen with Tyvek or other wraps.
Earlier this week, large banners went up on the lot and on the side of the south building to advertise that leases can now be arranged for September move-in dates.
•One-bedroom, one-bathroom units with 556 square feet rent for $900 to $1,050.
•Two-bedroom, one-bathroom end units with 790 square feet rent for $1050 to $1,250.
•Two-bedroom, two-bathroom units of 824 square feet rent for $1,250 to $1,350.
• Two-bedroom, two-bathroom units of 896 square feet rent for $1,350 to $1,450.
Each unit is elevator accessible and has its own stackable GE washer and dryer and full set of appliances with granite countertops and undermount sinks.
The buildings have direct access to the Luverne Loop that connects with the Ashby Memorial Trail and the Blue Mounds Trail.
According to the company’s website, the apartments are built to meet “EnergyStar, Indoor AirPlus, Zero Energy Ready Home requirements and those of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, making them the most energy efficient buildings in the state.”
There will be EV car chargers in the parking lot and solar panels on the roof.
 “All interior finishes are low-emitting and we've included an ERV fresh air machine in each unit to bring in fresh, filtered outdoor air,” the website states.
All units have radiant heated floors and dedicated heat pump heating and cooling systems, and the entire complex was built out of structural insulated panels made in Cottonwood.
“Each building is fire sprinklered and protected by a security system. We even added an Amazon package center to each lobby for our guests’ convenience.”
Tuesday’s city council meeting (after the Star Herald press time) had an agenda item to approve plans and specifications for paving the parking lot at the apartment property and to authorize advertising for bids.
The city and GreenSmith Builders have a signed development agreement that states the developer will finance the apartment complex that will carry a minimum assessment of $8 million, and part of the City’s fiscal responsibility is to pay for the parking lot.
More information about the apartments can be found at GreenSmith.Builders.

Construction on the Walleye Wind project in western Rock County has started after Next Era Energy received the official notice to proceed from the state of Minnesota on June 3.
Among the first steps in the process is to remove the seven former Minwind turbines northwest of Beaver Creek. Using cables and heavy equipment the first one was pulled over on Wednesday, June 8.
Blattner Construction pickups blocked four gravel roads all the way around the section as a safety measure in case the weight of the 350-foot-tall turbine were to send debris flying after impact on the ground.
Allen Collier, construction manager for Next Era, which is putting up the 40-turbine Walleye Wind farm, said many components of the fallen turbine are being recycled.
Using “giant hydraulic scissors” the fiberglass and steel are cut up and taken to recycling places, and concrete and rebar will be removed.
He said samples from that first turbine have been tested for asbestos, and once results are back, the other six turbines will come down, likely Wednesday (this week) one per day after that.
Collier discouraged residential traffic in the area during the decommissioning. “We understand there’s a level of curiosity about this process, but we urge people to exercise caution around the work site,” he said.
Meanwhile, about 50 Blattner work trucks have been buzzing around the 49-square-mile wind farm footprint, and dirt work is underway on many of the turbine sites.
Construction has started on the maintenance building where the wind technicians will operate near the substation and transmission switch yard (in the area of former Minwind turbines.)
In September the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the 109-megawatt project for site construction and certificate of need for the electricity.
On Friday, June 3, the project received its “notice to proceed” from the state of Minnesota, a step that had been expected in April, but was derailed by a change in a collection route that needed re-evaluation.
Next Era plans to build up to 40 wind turbines on 31,000 acres. Once construction ramps up, more than 200 workers are expected on site, creating opportunities for local businesses.
Once operational, the wind farm will generate $400,000 to $600,000 in annual tax revenues to Rock County and provide electricity to the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency through a 30-year purchase agreement.

When the Rock County Economic Development Authority was created three years ago, commissioners had not authorized a budget until recently when $50,000 was allocated.
“Basically, the EDA board needs seed money to work,” said Commissioner Gary Overgaard. “That’s the bottom line — without money we’re a committee that can’t do much.”
The $50,000 is from $1.8 million Rock County is allocated from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act.
The EDA committee, made up of representatives from each of the county’s cities, has authorized spending $20,000 for a comprehensive housing study.
Mayfield Research and Consulting of Roseville will examine the demographic and economic factors, current housing market conditions, and determine market potential for developing additional housing projects in the county.
The study will include information from the housing study Mayfield completed for the city of Luverne in 2016. The new study will update Luverne’s housing market potential along with other county communities through 2035.
Holly Sammons, Luverne EDA director, said information from the previously completed comprehensive study assisted investors and developers interested in doing projects in Luverne.
The study brought to the forefront the housing needs in the community.
“It also helps investors and developers get financing,” Sammons said. “Banks need data to prove the need for the housing in order to finance the deal.”
The data is also crucial for applying for grants.
“It gives a realistic picture of the market and isn’t based on feelings or opinions,” she said.
“Without the housing study, we wouldn’t have been able to secure the $680,000 workforce housing grant for the apartment project.” (PrairiE Loft apartments are currently under construction near the former Sharkee’s property.)
A draft of the countywide study is expected to be finished this fall.

Meetings
Compassionate Friends Support Group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 20, the Luverne Area Community Foundation Office next to the Palace Theatre in Luverne.
The group meets every third Monday for anyone who has experienced the death of a child, grandchild or sibling- of any age, from any cause. For information, email pat.saum@gmail.com  
Grand Prairie Cemetery Association annual meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, at the cemetery. If it rains, the location will be the office room of Orv and Sons Plumbing in Ellsworth.
 
‘Service Over Self’
coming July 20
The second Rock The Edge Service Over Self day will be July 20. Youth who have completed grades eight through 12 are welcome to register, as well as adults. (Signup is by July 14 for July 20 service day.) Email rocktheedgemn@gmail.com or call 507-283-2316 to request a registration form.
 
Eden Lutheran Church annual service June 26
The Eden Lutheran Church of rural Jasper will meet for its 82nd annual service at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 26, at the church two miles east and 1 mile north of Jasper. A potluck meal will follow under a tent. Volunteers are needed to clean the church at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 25. Call Beverly Hunstad, 507-348-4126.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Magician “Magic Zac” is rescheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 28.
Storytime @ the Park will be 10:30 a.m. Thursdays in various parks in Luverne.  Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Dates and parks are:
•June 16, Kolbert.
•June 23, Veteran’s Memorial.
•June 30, Hawkinson.
•July 7, Luverne City.
•July 14, Kolbert.
•July 21, Veteran’s Memorial.
•July 28, Hawkinson.
Teens in Action (grades 5-12) will meet from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. A different activity will be featured each week beginning June 16.
Find the Hidden Animal Tracks during a scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.
Movie and snacks for Camp Rock begins at 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 21. The movie is 1 hr. 37 min., rated G. All ages are welcome.
Michael Albert and POP ART program will be Friday, July 15. Registration is required.
Movie and Snacks for The Lorax begins 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 19. The movie is 1 hr. 35 min., rated G. All ages are welcome.
A naturalist from Prairie Ecology Bus Center will present the program “Animals Can Do What?” from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, for grades K-4.
The summer reading program, “Camp iRead: Read Beyond the Beaten Path,” continues to Aug. 1.
Readers in grades K-4 who completed all eight weeks of the summer program will be invited to an End of Summer Pizza Party at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4.
Teens (grades 5-12) who complete a bingo card will be invited to a pizza/prize party at 3 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 5.
Storytime @ the Park will be 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Locations and start date will be released at a later date.
Seed library is open and available to anyone in the public who wants to plant a garden. Flowers, fruit and vegetable seeds are available for free.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

Members of the Rock County DFL volunteered for an Adopt a Highway service project on I-90 near Luverne on May 26. Pictured are (from left) Dale Nelson, Karen Radisewitz, Lowell Jauert, Carol Morgan, Keith Erickson, Lona Klosterbuer, Carol Serie, Rich Morgan, Patti Nelson, Carol McDonald, Shirley Klosterbuer, Larry Nelson, Suanne Ohme, Diane Jauert and (not pictured) Carol Svingen.

Hills-Beaver Creek senior Donavon Leenderts was selected as the local FFA chapter’s 2022 Star Farmer at the annual banquet May 20 at the Reformed Church of Steen.
Alan Baker was selected as Star Placement in Ag.
The banquet celebrates members’ accomplishments, such as greenhand and chapter degrees, plus members’ work with their supervised agricultural experiences (SAE).
Greenhand degrees are given to first-year members who have demonstrated they have a thorough understanding of the history and purpose of FFA by completing various chapter activities. They have also developed an SAE plan and have enrolled in ag education classes.
Greenhand degree recipients include Taylor Spykerboer, Jack Moser, Jamesyn Klosterbuer, Sawyer Bosch, Michael Martinyuk, Beau Bakken, Lukas Hubbard, Gracie Fagerness, Cameron Allen, Amber Wiersema, Bailey Spykerboer, Gus Jacobson, Emma Deelstra, Johnathan Tiesler and Blake Leenderts.
Chapter degrees are given to members who have greenhand degrees and have continued expanding their ag education experiences, been active in chapter activitie,s and have expanded their SAE experiences.
Chapter degree recipients for 2022 are Taryn Birger, Alexis Gardner Swenson, Megan Vis, Lanae Elbers, Layla Deelstra, Brynn Rauk, Sylvia Fick, Riley Tatge, Cooper Gehrke, Logan Susie, Amallia Ternus and Tyrae Goodface.
SAE awards were given according to category.
Category and recipient include dairy placement, Olivia Bork; sheep entrepreneurship, Sawyer Bosch; grain and crops, Amallia Ternus; equine placement, Gus Jacobson; repair and maintenance placement, Donavon Leenderts; beef placement, Josh Wiersema; beef entrepreneurship, Danette Leenderts; food service, Jenifer Martinyuk; natural resources, Cooper Gehrke; ag communications, Samantha Moser; and fiber and oil crops, Carter Hartz.
S & S Locker of Hills and the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association were named honorary chapter members.

Becky Rahm, a math teacher at Luverne Middle-High School, was recognized with the Educator of Excellence award at the nonprofit BestPrep’s recent annual luncheon at The Depot in Minneapolis.
The Educator of Excellence award was given to 12 Minnesota teachers who have been longtime partners of BestPrep and its programs in their classroom curriculum.
Rahm first became involved with BestPrep’s Technology Integration Workshop (TIW) as an attendee and then continued working with BestPrep by helping her fellow Luverne teachers attend the workshop.
For the past several years, Rahm has been a specialist at the workshops, helping attendees update their unit plans with the new technology knowledge they gained from the workshop.
“The more staff that attend TIW, the better off our students are in Luverne,” she said. “The workshop has helped me grow professionally by staying current on new trends in technology, which, therefore, helps my students. I personally gain from the workshop’s opportunity of working with other quality educators from around the state.”
About 500 people attended the annual luncheon.
BestPrep is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing students with business, career and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life through seven innovative programs. Since the organization’s start in 1976, more than 1.7 million Minnesota teachers and students have been served.

Registration is now open for any educators from the Luverne area to attend BestPrep’s Technology Integration Workshop (TIW), a summer program for teachers to improve their technology skills, update a unit plan, and learn career skills students need for success in the future.
The K.A.H.R. Foundation will cover the cost of each teacher’s registration fee and provide a $500 stipend to cover any expenses associated with attendance. TIW occurs Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 1-3.
Participants will learn strategies and gain resources from educational technology experts for incorporating existing and emerging technologies into their curriculum that will support student learning and engagement.
TIW will also coordinate a job shadow for each attendee with a volunteer from a leading Minnesota business. The job shadowing opens participants to the current trends in the workplace, providing educators with a new perspective that will allow them to better prepare students for future careers.
For more information, contact Bonnie Vagasky at bvagasky@best prep.org.
K.A.H.R. Foundation was established by Warren Herreid and his wife, Jeannine Rivet, in 2005 for philanthropic endeavors. The letters of the foundation’s name stand for the surnames and their mothers’ maiden surnames: Kahler, Archambault, Herreid and Rivet.