LUVERNE -- With a campaign to revitalize its downtown shopping district and improve the gateway into Luverne already in the planning stages, new Luverne Economic Development Authority (LEDA) director Holly Sammons has hit the ground running.
Sammons began her new role on Monday, and has spent her first few days getting acclimated to the office and getting to know the staff at the Luverne City Hall, where her office is located. She's also met with Luverne 2021 committee members and is planning visits to the businesses in the community as the days and weeks go forward.
A native of Ellsworth, Sammons comes to the LEDA post after six years as the accounting business manager with New Century Press in Rock Rapids, Iowa. She earned her bachelor's degree in general management and accounting from Minnesota State University-Mankato, and has 12 more credits to attain her master's in business administration, with an emphasis in management, from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.
"I like working with small businesses and I like supporting small towns -- making people's dreams come true and making it a better place to live, not only for the business owners, but the people of the community as well," Sammons said.
Sammons served in the Luverne-Pipestone, Faribault and Hastings units of the Minnesota National Guard and was deployed in 2004-2005 to Baghdad, Iraq. After her six-year term was up, she left the Guard to finish school, get married and start a family.
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She and her husband, Derek, a native of Beaver Creek, have two children, Ella, 4, and Maxwell, 2. After residing in Steen in recent years, they recently purchased an acreage east of Steen. Derek is employed by Country Cupboards of Luverne.
"We have family here and we just know this is where we're going to stay," said Sammons. "I knew the job would be a good, long-term career opportunity."
While the job is a "little overwhelming" now, Sammons said she hopes to soon begin mentoring any new business owners interested in setting up shop in Luverne. She is available to review business plans and do whatever else to help businesses get established.
There are a few vacant store fronts downtown at this time.
"We'd just really like to see that Main Street get filled with unique shops -- bring new life downtown," Sammons said.
She will also be working with housing projects in the community, and said there are plenty of lots available in their newest addition, Manfred Heights.
"There are only a few vacancies in some of our older additions, but there are a lot of lots available (in the community)," she added.
Daily Globe Reporter Julie Buntjer can be reached at 376-7330.
