Preston Tourism and Chamber – Business Resources & EDA

The City of Preston’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) is committed to the growth and expansion of businesses, jobs and community development. The EDA can assist businesses with loans/grants, business development, site selection and connect entrepreneurs with the tools they need to successfully start a business. For more information on how the Preston EDA may be able to assist you please contact the Preston EDA at eda@prestonmn.org or 507-765-2153.

EDA Board Members:

Dwight Luhmann – Board Chair
Jon Ebner – Vice Chair
Jon DeVries – Member
Julie Sogla – Member
Erik Topness – Member
Steve Hall – Member/City Council Representative
Dean Aug – Member/City Council Representative

EDA Economic Development Projects

Preston Livability Website – www.prestonmnchamber.com/livability This is a partnership project with the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce that showcases community assets. The tab offers those wishing to live or recreate in Preston the opportunity to gather information to make decisions or further inquire about why to live or recreate in Preston. This was partially funded through a SMIF grant.
Preston Commercial Inventory Website – a page where people can list/view commercial space that is either for lease or for sale. View it here.
Minnesota Small Business Development Center Partnership – The City of Preston has a partnership with the SBDC office in Rochester which provides quality assistance and services to business and entrepreneurs. The SBDC offers at no cost, confidential consulting to help businesses in SE MN identify, understand and overcome the challenges of starting a business, running a successful business, and developing exist strategies. For assistance contact mthein@rochestersbdc.com or phone 507-738-1003.
Preston Veterans Home – 54 resident skilled nursing care facility for Veterans. Currently under construction and set to be open mid-2023. Click here for more information or watch the progress LIVE here.
Preston Historic Walking Tour – The Preston Historical Society walking tour is a self-guided walking or driving tour of the heritage of Preston. This project was a partnership between Preston EDA, Preston Historical Society and Preston Tourism. View the walking tour here.
Preston’s NW Industrial Park – Please contact the EDA for site selection as there are limited sites available. Industrial Park plat
Spare Change Round Up Program – Preston Public Utility Customers can round up their utility bill in an effort to raise funds for non-profit groups in the community. Click Here to Download the Guidelines and Application
Small Cities Development Grant – Completed in December of 2018. This program assisted with the rehab of 8 blocks around the Fillmore County Courthouse square in downtown Preston. It put $933,000 into projects. 70% of that was grants and 30% was low interest loans. Improved rental units and commercial buildings.
Local Small Cities Development Grant – is an opportunity for businesses to take advantage of forgivable loans that help rehabilitate buildings and apartments in the downtown business district. Click Here for Guidelines
Preston Housing Committee – was formed in 2018 to help uncover housing opportunities in Preston. This included working with the Preston Area Chamber of Commerce to create a Preston Housing Summit in 2018.
Preston Housing Needs Study – updated in 2018. Click here to view.
Fillmore County Housing Needs Study – Click here to view.
Preston Job and Career Fair – A community job fair held in 2019 in person and online for the public. For students and introduction to the job fair and a career fair. Each served a purpose to introduce students to jobs, experience job recruitment, and career exploration. Additionally, panelist and area experts provided students with both education and guidance while they began to think about how to incorporate their passion into their first career choices.

Preston Demographics

Preston, MN has a population of 1,322 according to the 2020 census with a daytime population of 1728. Median age of 46.8 and a median household income of $45,556.

The median property value in Preston, MN is $185,507, and the home ownership rate is 71.8%. Most people in Preston, MN commute by driving alone, and the average commute time is 24.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Preston, MN is 2 cars per household.

The largest universities near Preston, MN are Winona State University, University of Minnesota-Rochester, and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Technical colleges include Rochester Community and Technical College, Riverland Community College in Austin, MN and in Winona, MN, Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical

Preston is one hour from La Crosse, WI, one hour from Winona, MN, one hour from Austin, MN, forty minutes from Rochester, MN and forty minutes from Decorah, IA.

Southeast MN Economic Development Study

The Southeastern Minnesota League of Municipalities (SEMLM) in October of 2018, released a study with an updated economic forecast for southeast Minnesota, and options for several major policy shifts to accommodate population and employment growth over the next 25 years. Among the policy options and recommendations are zoning changes to support greater housing production, expanded transportation networks, a regional tourism strategy, immigrant support resources, and programs to increase access to childcare – all designed to grow the region’s economic development potential.

The study – the first of its kind in the region – forecasts long-range population, employment, and economic activity in the entire Southeastern Minnesota region, on a county-by-county basis. The region, composed of Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Winona counties, encompasses 77 municipalities, with more than 368,000 residents and 190,000 employees. Here is a Link to the study

Commercial Inventory

Click here for updated Commercial Inventory or email eda@prestonmn.org or call 507-765-2153

State Veteran Home – Preston

The Veterans Home is currently under construction and is slated to open mid-2023.

Follow the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Future Home information by clicking here.

You can follow the Preston Veteran Home Support page by clicking here.

Find more information on the Preston’s Veteran Friendly Community Campaign click here.

Preston Housing Incentives & Information

The Preston Economic Development Authority facilitates Housing Incentives to promote new construction and the rehabilitation of existing properties. If you would like to build new or rehab your current home, contact the Preston EDA at 507-765-2153 for more details. The incentive may include energy savings, free utilities, Preston Bucks, golf club memberships, Preston pool passes and permit fee reductions.

Preston Commercial Incentive/Improvement Revolving Loan Funds

The Preston Economic Development Authority operates a Revolving Loan Fund for business startups, expansions, and other commercial projects. The incentive is offered through a low interest rates and attractive financing terms.

Click Here for Preston Revolving Loan Fund for Business Development

Local Small Cities Development Program Funds

Opportunity for businesses to take advantage of forgivable loans that help rehabilitate buildings and apartments in the downtown business district. Click Here for Guidelines
Funds are revolving from the Small Cities Development Grant that was completed in 2018.
Contact Preston EDA at eda@prestonmn.org or call 507-765-2153 for an application.

PACE: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program in the state of Minnesota.

This program was created by the state legislature as a funding mechanism for renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades for businesses and non-profits. Fillmore County passed a joint powers agreement with the St. Paul Port Authority making this program available to Preston businesses. The process generally starts with an energy use assessment. These can be any of the energy efficiency options available through Preston Public Utilities, or some other no-cost options available throughout the state. Here are a couple of links to learn more about the program, and read about some examples of its use in the region: https://www.minnpace.com/

Spare Change Round Up Program Preston Public Utility Customers can round up their utility bill in an effort to raise funds for non-profit groups in the community. Click Here to Download the Guidelines and Application