Cornell City Council; New grant program help available for businesses

Recently re-elected Cornell City Council member Ashley Carothers (left) was sworn in by city administrator Dave DeJongh May 6, after she was unable to make the reorganizational meeting in April.  Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

To get the word out, the Cornell City Council reviewed a West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission MicroEnterprise Grant at their regular meeting May 6. The funds are available for eligible businesses who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, from June 1-15. Small businesses are defined as five or fewer employees, located in Chippewa County, and established prior to Feb. 5, 2020.

“The last time…everybody that applied, got that one grant,” said council members Ashley Carothers. “Pretty amazing.”

Mayor Mark Larson thanked Carothers for offering to take applications around to businesses, as well as her efforts in doing so for the previous grant.

Applications are available in the city office or at wcwrcp. org.

Carothers also mentioned that she has had some questions from citizens about the chicken ordinance that was passed last fall, and it will be put for discussion on the agenda of an upcoming Public Health and Safety Committee meeting. Everyone from the public is invited for input.

She also brought up that there might be a possible fundraiser in the works for the police department, to let the community meet the new police chief and officers, as well as raising money for equipment needs.

That wasn’t all, as safety remains a priority in the city.

“There’s a group of us who talked about doing a possible neighborhood watch,” said Carothers.

Members also paid more bills in regard to the wastewater treatment plant updates, with Carothers asking if they know what the cost will be to citizens in the long run. City administrator Dave DeJongh says they will have to wait to see, but that they do seem to be headed in the right direction.

However, it will be some time before the project is complete, especially with a long waitlist for parts.

DeJongh also asked for permission to refinance the electrical system debt through Ehlers financial advisers.

“We could take this opportunity to refund that revenue bond and save some interest on it,” said DeJongh.

The council gave him their blessing to pursue the refinancing.