Albert Lea was called the Poster Child for the JOBZ program in 2004, bringing in seven new companies and 500 jobs. This year hopes to bring the same success as the year-old Albert Lea Economic Development Agency continues to follow numerous leads and work with entrepreneurs.

Several of the visible projects in 2005 include the construction of one of our newest companies, Albert Lea Select Foods. The $6 million building project, which will bring in more than 200 new jobs is on tract with plans to open this summer. Another project is the rehabilitation of the Lea Center building. This is a $5 million project and will provide 37 new apartments in our historic downtown district.

With the stamp of approval from the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council, Albert Leans will see several lake recreation projects this summer. The City, Department of National Resources and our award winning Bayside Ski Club will partner on a project that will expand the existing Edgewater Bay show site on Fountain Lake. This is an opportunity to bring in weekend competitive events that will add to our economy with additional hotel, retail, restaurant and gas sales.

Two public docks, funded by private citizens and donated to the city, will be installed in Fountain Lake this summer.

The first dock will be located along Bridge Street. This short term parking dock will be designed in a U-shape which will allow six to eight boats to dock. Boaters will be able to dock, then shop at our stores and visit our local restaurants.

The second dock will supply fuel on the lake for boaters. A group of community volunteers consisting of Cory McDermott, Ron Holtan and Johnny Houg are in the process of locating a fueling operator who would be willing to provide gas from a fueling truck to boaters on the weekends. A site has not yet been selected for this project. To donate to the &uot;Fountain Lake Dock Fund&uot; send your checks to the Freeborn County Chamber Foundation, a non-profit organization.

After re-bidding the Hatch Bridge project, the City Council approved the low bid of $1,692,192 to Sorensen Brothers Inc. of Albert Lea. This project will enlarge the bridge for safer boating and fishing, but will also improve Wedge Street and Lakeview Blvd., and will replace the existing old sewer system.

This project should begin this spring and be completed by November.

A city trail system is in the works which involves extending our non-motorized trail around Fountain Lake and then later connecting to the Blazing Star Trail. The Park and Recreation Board as well as the Albert Lea Listens recreation committee has given their input. The city is now looking for public input in order to submit a grant to the Department of Natural Resources.

Rep. Dan Dorman, chairman of the State Bonding Committee, has once again submitted $1.7 for the Blazing Star Trail for this bonding session. The Blazing Star Trail began as a reality 10 years ago this fall when community members were invited to attend an informational meeting. The Blazing Star Trail has received funds from two previous bonding bills to complete the 6.5 mile trail. If funds become available, the next step will be to build a bridge across Albert Lea Lake into Hayward.

What’s happening depends on what you are looking for. If you see something that interests you, please call us. We need everyone’s input and help to make Albert Lea a wonderful place to call home.

Albert Lea Mayor Jean Eaton