FAIRMONT — Progress has been made, but EDA members are still seeking clarity on childcare projects and their funding needs.

On Monday County Attorney Taylor McGowan said he wished to give the board an update after Board Member Tim Terfehr asked for one at the last meeting.

McGowan said the progress made from their last discussion on childcare is a combination grant/loan application form created by Community Economic Development Associated (CEDA) associate Joshua Schuetz.

Board members had gone back and forth on how money would be given out to childcare projects if money could be given out at all. If they find they can, McGowan said the application created covers their bases either way.

Several projects were included in the discussion, with a focus on Building Blocks. McGowan said they had tried to contact Building Blocks Daycare multiple times and had not received a response.

The current issue the EDA is facing is finding out whether projects need more funding, or if they have found enough to complete their goals. Board Member Richard Koons said correspondents from Building Block’s project’s board had said they had everything they needed already, while Board Member Brent Schultze said he was told they still needed the money.

A clear yes or no answer has not been found, which Board Member Jamie Bleess said is needed to ensure they are using taxpayer dollars effectively.

“I think no one disputes the fact that getting new, upgraded and expanded daycare in Martin County is [not] a bad idea,” he said. “It’s great and it’s a necessity. It’s not just an idea. If you have childcare available, that makes the employers here finding employees to fill open jobs way easier.”

Koons said he does not foresee a problem getting them the money if they need it. But he reiterated the original agreement the EDA had decided upon for giving Building Blocks funding.

“The agreement was it would be that last step they needed to get them there,” Koons said. “We wanted to make sure [the] funding was going toward that project and not something else.”

No official action regarding childcare funding was taken at the meeting.

In other business::

— An announcement was made that Five Below has withdrawn from coming to Fairmont. Discussions between the EDA, a developer and The Retail Coach have yielded confidence in finding a replacement. A developer is also moving forward with the mall’s owner on a potential sale price.

— the board tabled a motion to write a letter of support for the Fox Lake Conservation League regarding an Outdoor Recreation Grant they are looking to apply for from the DNR. The board will seek to bring the league in for a pitch at January’s meeting.