THE FAIRMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ( F E D A) MONDAY APPROVED FORWARDING ON TO THE FAIRMONT CITY COUNCIL A PROPOSAL FOR A MULTIFAMILY HOUSING TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM IN THE CITY. THE PLAN HAD BEEN PLACED BEFORE THE COUNCIL EARLIER BUT DID NOT GET APPROVAL AT THAT TIME. LINSEY PRUESS, FAIRMONT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, DID SOME CHECKING AND TWEAKED THE WORDING TO MAKE IT MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COUNCIL THIS TIME AROUND. THE PROGRAM IS BEING PROPOSED TO SPUR DEVELOPMENT OF MORE HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THE FAIRMONT AREA WORKFORCE WITH AN INCENTIVE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION OF OWNER OCCUPIED AND AND RENTAL RESIDENTIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY.

F E D A HEARD FROM DAYNA JOHNSON, A FORMER MARTIN COUNTY RESIDENT ,WHO LEFT THE AREA FOR SEVERAL YEARS , BUT HAS NOW RETURNED AND LIVES IN FAIRMONT. SHE HAD SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN PLAZA. HER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDED AN OPEN OFFICE AREA AND ALSO AN INDOOR PLAY SPACE /PLAY CAFE. DAYNA VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THESE PROJECTS WITH F E D A’S APPROVAL. BOARD MEMBERS ALL WERE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THOSE IDEAS AND PLEDGED THEIR SUPPORT OF HER EFFORTS FOR DOWNTOWN RENOVATION.