Madelia Fire Update
March  2,  2016

Citizens Bank donates $15,000 to  Madelia Fire Disaster Relief
Citizens Bank Minnesota is proud to donate $15,000 and is committing up to  $65,000 in total.   Mark Denn, branch manager of the La Salle location of Citizens Bank Minnesota, is also the Fire Chief for the City of Madelia. Denn stated, "As an employee of Citizens and a volunteer fire fighter and Chief for Madelia Fire Department, I am amazed at how the surrounding fire departments and communities have come together to support Madelia. Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation for all the help to rebuild Madelia's Main Street!"
Citizens will donate $10,000 to the 10 area Fire Departments involved in the incident. A donation of $5,000 will be given to "Madelia Strong, Inc.", which was formed locally to administer financial relief to those affected by the fire. 
Lastly, Citizens will establish up to $50,000 in interest free loan funds, to be administered out of their La Salle Branch, to be used for both personal and business purposes to those applicants that demonstrate job displacement or loss resulting from the fire.
New Partnership for Hope and Faith Floral 
Starting Thursday, March 3rd, Hope and Faith Floral will be selling floral arrangements at Sunshine Foods in Madelia. Their plan is to offer custom arrangements and delivery starting the week of March 7th. Owner Ryan Visher said that he is "overwhelmed by the support that the surrounding area has given." They have already begun purchasing some new equipment with the recovery funds. To place an order call (507)642-8967, or visit them on facebook or at their website. 
New "Floral Grab & Go" cooler ready for product at Sunshine Foods in Madelia

EZ Medical Wraps: Compassion meets Compression
With the help of donations made through Go Fund Me as well as community outreach, Nancy Vee has been stitching her business back together. While she isn't sure of an exact date that EZ Medical Wraps will reopen, she already has a slew of orders waiting for her when she does. 
EZ Medical Wraps specializes in affordable and easy to
use custom compression garments for people suffering from lymphedema .
EZ Medical Wraps in Madelia sends its products all over the world; recently Vee received a call asking if she ships to Australia. Vee is especially passionate about their Kids Program, which sends custom compression therapy to children 16 and under, free of charge. They also offer a 50% military discount to past and present service members.
With 10 million documented cases of lymphedema around the world, Vee is eager to get EZ Medical Wraps back up and running and her product out to those that need it. In her business, she has taken on dual roles, that of proprietor as well as lymphedema advocate.
Special Legislation Meeting Scheduled
Increased property taxes for affected businesses (once they are rebuilt) have been a topic of concern for the City of Madelia. Watonwan County Assessor, Lynn Krachmer, has assured t he city that the county will work with the Madelia businesses. On Friday, March 4th, Representative Tony Cornish, Senator Julie Rosen, Madelia City Administrator Jane Piepgras, the four property owners affected by the fire and other partners will be meeting to discuss these issues in order to determine next steps. 
Pancakes for Madelia
Local community organizations have been serving up some tasty and successful fundraisers.   
On Saturday, February 27th, the Younger Brother Committee and the  Madelia American Legion #19 held a Pancake Supper and silent auction, with free live music after the meal. Over 300 tickets were sold to the fundraiser.
On Sunday, February 28th, the City of St. James along with multiple community organizations held a Breakfast/Bake Sale/Silent Auction to benefit Madelia. The St. James Fire Department was even on hand that morning to make breakfast deliveries within the St. James area.  Over 800 people were served at the event, and they raised $15,000 for Madelia.
 
pancakes.jpg
When:
Sunday March 6, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where:
Lake Crystal Fire Department
Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast in support of Madelia Strong! The free will donations given will go directly to aid the City of Madelia's recovery effort.
WCCO: #MadeliaStrong: Small Minnesota Town Rising From The Ashes
Region Nine Executive Director, Nicole Griensewic Mickelson, was on hand to speak about the challenges that Madelia faces as well as the incredible community response to the fire. 
"The hashtag and motto right now is 'Madelia Strong.' So out of this disaster, it's really been heartwarming to see the community come together," she said.
The City of Madelia 
Thanks You
The City of Madelia would like to extend our gratitude to those who have shown support to our community following the fire on February 3rd, 2016. The generosity that has poured into the city demonstrates how important our community is to our neighbors. Through Madelia's rebuilding process, your continued support is greatly appreciated. 
~ Jane Piepgras, City Administrator
Madelia: When the smoke settles, character shines  
Tim Penny, President and CEO of SMIF
When a devastating fire took out a large portion of Madelia's historic main street earlier [last] month, the town and surrounding community were understandably shaken.
Madelia's population is just over 2,200, but given the number of Minnesotans in our region and across the state who come from a small town, many people can relate to the severity of Madelia's loss.
Images of the leveled lots served as a reminder of how many of our communities hinge on a small but thriving central corridor. We know from experience that the loss of just one business can be a blow; to have eight burn down is an enormous loss for a community their size.
To read the full article go to:  www.smifoundation.org .
Support Madelia - Get a Madelia Strong T-Shirt!
The demand continues to be HUGE for Madelia Strong Shirts! According to the Madelia Chamber, the donations associated with the tees are over $20,000. There are now Madelia Strong Hoodies available for sale as well through the Chamber.
Preferred Printing Company  (PPC), a Madelia based business, has been making and donating these popular tees to the Madelia Chamber to distribute as a way to support their community. The shirts are complimentary with a f ree will donation.
To get your shirt or purchase a hoodie today, contact the  Madelia Area Chamber of Commerce at 507-642-8822. 
Madelia Strong
Rebuilding Madelia
Region Nine Area Inc. continues to see donations come in, and they will go a long way to helping Madelia rebuild their community. The City of Madelia continues to stay strong and is determined to rebuild.  At this time, Region Nine estimates at least $130,000 has been collected.
is proud to serve as fiscal  sponsor for the commu nity fund. If you would like to show your support and to help Madelia rebuild please submit your contributions to:
Madelia Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 171,  Madelia, MN 56062.
Please make  checks payable to 
"Region Nine Area, Inc" with "Madelia" in the memo line.
All proceeds will benefit the businesses and the community affected by the fire and mitigate the disastrous losses incurred.
Donations made to RNAI are eligible to be tax-deductible.
SMIF Relief Fund
CORRECTION:  $213,000 in donations received
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) and its partners have raised $213,000 for the Disaster Recovery Fund for those businesses and building owners affected by the Madelia fire. 
So far, SMIF has been able to disperse $70,000 to affected businesses in Madelia. They are continuing to work with others to complete applications and they will continue to do needs assessments. The SMIF business team will be meeting later this week to discuss further steps.
Recent Media Coverage
MINNPOST:  Paying back an IOU
Thank you to all that have supported Madelia

Region Nine Development Commission would like to acknowledge the individuals and organizations that have given their support during this time of recovery: Governor Dayton's Office, Senator Franken's Office, Senator Klobuchar's Office, Congressman Walz's Office, Senator Rosen, Representative Cornish, Representative Gunther, MN Dept. of Health, League of MN Cities, State Auditor's Office, USDA, DEED, Federal Economic Development Administration, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Blandin Foundation, Tony Downs, Pioneer Bank, New Ulm Medical Center, AgStar and the Mayo Foundation, MN Initiative Foundations: Initiative Foundation, Northwest MN Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation, West Central Initiative,  NuWay Cooperative,    Madelia Optometric Inc., Madelia-Truman Class of 1996, Madelia Class of 1965, Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman, Madelia Ministerial Assn., ISG, Wells Concrete, Eide Bailly, Greater Mankato Growth Inc. Foundation, River Valley Christian Church of New Ulm, Lewis Family Drug, Citizens Bank Minnesota, Madelia-Lake Crystal Mutual, Shopko Foundation, Sunshine Foods, Central Valley Service, and Truck Bodies & Equipment Int'l. 
Stay Tuned 

Region Nine  will be providing weekly updates on the rebuilding process, funding and support for the 
City of Madelia.