FAIRMONT– The city of Fairmont’s new planning committee, which would work on an Energy and Environmental Resilience Plan, has been put on hold as the federally funded organization that supplied a grant for it, Region Nine, has received guidance from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to halt the work.

Region Nine is Fairmont’s federal economic development district. It had reached out to the city several months ago encouraging it to apply for a grant with the belief that the city could benefit from creating a community resiliency plan which would center on an issue identified by the committee, whether it be housing, wastewater treatment or something else.

“This particular program was part of their EECBG (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant) program. It’s money they received from the Department of Energy, a federal entity,” explained Pat Oman, Fairmont’s Community Development Director.

The grant Fairmont received, worth $12,250 funds Region Nine’s management of the planning process.

“Since the payments aren’t being received from the Department of Energy, it creates a pause to continue without those federal funds,” Oman explained.

This week he sent an email out to members of the planning committee, which includes several community volunteers, city staff and Fairmont City Councilors Wayne Hasek and James Kotewa, as the group was set to have its first meeting in the coming weeks.

“We have good representation. I hope everyone stays strong and we can power through it,” Oman said. “We might have some community members who change their mind but we hope that’s not the case.”

The communication that Oman received from Region Nine Energy and Environment Planner, Sam Sharp, said that they will pass along any updates on when the work can be resumed.

Until then, Oman said he plans to communicate with both Region Nine and the newly formed committee every week to keep everyone engaged.

While the grant funds Region Nine’s work, the city has invested some advertising funds into the project already, as well as a good chunk of staff time.