Finding Funds

After a long time waiting we finally did get funded. It was a straining five month process which in turn we ended up going a different direction to find funds. Our original plan was applying through the state of Minnesota, through the Minnesota State Historical Society. By no means am I trying to knock that process, they have a wonderful grant called the Legacy Grant. This grant is what we applied for and is designed to enrich various communities around Minnesota. It supports projects throughout the state, crucial to the various communities that are distant from the Metro areas. We applied twice for this grant and both times were told to resubmit with certain areas to be revised for the ACTUAL format and not the ACTUAL idea of the project. We were told the project was "worthy" but because of a few i's and t's not being crossed in a specific manner we were never able to attain the grant. I always believe that these types of funding is a necessity for people and organizations that are trying seek funds to provide valuable projects for their communities. I also understand the process comes with an intensive scrutiny when evaluating projects and meriting distributing funds. But I am pretty impatient when it comes to things I want, or information I'd like to know. Those closet to me know this, and if the state wants to overanalyze the requests to use their checkbook, then that is their business. One day after they told us to resubmit I spoke with Ryan and said let's go elsewhere for funds. Nine days later we had a check to go ahead with the project. Anyone seeking grant money be sure to prepare months of time waiting to know if you are even going to receive the money. Maybe others are a little more patient in those types of matters, but I'm not, and we did what we had to do and now we are off and running...........

Sorry for the rant. It's just been a headache for five months that finally got fixed. We have come across some interesting things that are coming here in the next week. We have a roundtable conversation being held at Thornecrest Senior Center here on Wednesday. Plain and simple we will be letting our cameras roll. We have been told that the older generation there have some great stories about downtown Albert Lea. I'd like to say it'll be easy as just pushing record but I understand it'll be a little different from that. Although once we get this crowd talking about their experiences we may not have enough space in our memory cards to record it all, or at least that would be an ideal situation. It also sounds like the Albert Lea Tribune is doing a follow up story and coming with us to the senior center, which is exciting to get some local press on our project.

We also have lined up time to meet with the current architect of the once, Freeborn National Bank building, some call it The Vault. It's the big vacant building next to Brick Furniture and Stadheim Jewelers. Our cameras took a tour earlier this week and, since never being in the building, I found it to be quite interesting. It'll be even more interesting to hear what the architect will have to say about the structures of the building. I'm a little bit of a history dork, so it may be more interesting to me, but the way it'll be presented I'm sure plenty of people will find it interesting.

We have a large project load ahead of us, but we continue to chip away. I am humbled by the response so far, getting stopped out in public to talk or at work. The emails we receive and the stories they reveal have all been inspiring. This community response makes all of this worth it to keep pressing on with this project. With that being said we thank you. Hope all is well and more to come soon.

After five months in financing limbo, we were able to celebrate.  

This is the Freeborn National Bank building, also known as The Vault. The building was built in 1920. And it lays completely vacant. It use to house a bank, medical offices and apartment buildings.