It’s a perfect example of why the city of Luverne invests resources in removing blighted structures and improving properties for future development.
That’s how Holly Sammons described the sale of a lot at 117 N. Kniss to a new computer sales and service business.
“This property was purchased a year ago (for $17,000 from Ray and Joann Hoogeveen) with the intent to remove blight,” said Sammons, EDA director. “The lot has been vacant for a couple of months, and now we hope to see construction of a new business there.”
At Monday’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority, Scott Heibult shared plans that he and his wife, Tammy, have for their business, Computer Clinic.
The Heibults have 13 years of experience in computer sales and service and networking, web design, email, Wi-Fi, web posting and other services.
They currently operate a Computer Clinic in George, Iowa, and are looking to expand.
“We looked at Sioux Center, Spirit Lake and Spencer, and we felt this market had the most need for our service,” Heibult said Monday. “Fifteen to 16 different business people all spoke about the need for our services.”
He said the business offers network security services, which was also identified as a need in Luverne.
“We really felt like Luverne was a good fit for our business,” Heibult said.
He added that he appreciated working with Sammons, city staff, the Chamber and members of the LIFT Committee.
“They were very helpful,” Heibult said. “And they were clear that they didn’t want things that aren't going to make it.”
Computer Clinic has Dell-certified repair technicians, which means it’s authorized to perform Dell warranty repair work. “We have Dell retail, too, and we can also special order for customers,” he said.
The store will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It will also match the Thursday evening hours that other Luverne businesses offer.
Heibult said his customers typically have a wide range of hourly needs. “The average consumer hours are late in the day, but farmers are early in the day,” said Heibult, who added that house calls are an option.
“Consumers generally come into the store to have their equipment serviced, but we do make house calls, especially for commercial work and for Wi-Fi and other issues that need to be handled on site.”
A single-story 36-by-40-foot structure with a basement will be built on the lot north of the Laundromat on Highway 75 and Lincoln Street.
Green space will set the business back from Highway 75 and allow for business signage.
Darrin Popkes Construction, Ellsworth, will break ground on the building this summer and the business will be operational late fall.
LEDA is selling the lot to the Heibults for $500 and will offer the EDA utility rate of one cent per kilowatt hour over cost for the first year.
Because the lot is in the downtown district, a public hearing is required for a conditional use permit. That hearing has been set for Monday, May 16, in City Hall.