Red Wing Port Authority marks 40 years serving the community

Red Wing Port Authority is celebrating 40 years of supporting economic development in Red Wing in 2025. Through business attraction and retention efforts, workforce development, and more, the Port Authority has helped shape the future of Red Wing and continues to contribute to the growth of local businesses and industries through strategic initiatives and community partnerships. Throughout the year, we will highlight growth and redevelopment efforts in our community while reintroducing essential services offered by our organization.

“The Red Wing Port Authority’s purpose is to support economic development in Red Wing. By supporting our business and growing industry, we can create a vibrant community with a high quality of life for our residents,” Shari Chorney, Red Wing Port Authority Executive Manager, said. “We are very excited to be celebrating our 40th year serving Red Wing.”

With 40 years of service to the community, the economic development agency, or EDA, has been central to numerous developments and improvements in Red Wing. To continue to meet its mission of proactively seeking out, attracting, and retaining businesses that add to the long-term vitality of the community, the Port Authority consistently assesses new opportunities to meet emerging needs while providing its core services.

Red Wing Port Authority services

Since 1985, the Red Wing Port Authority has been the economic development agency with a primary goal of helping companies take advantage of the opportunities to expand and grow in the vibrant economy of Red Wing. General services the Port Authority provides for the Red Wing community include:

• Operates a revolving loan fund and can provide financial incentives through direct budget expenditures.
• Partners with the state and federal government as well as the private sector to coordinate the financing necessary for turning projects into reality.
• Partners with other local economic development organizations and resources, such as the Southeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center, to support small business growth in Red Wing.
• Administers Red Wing's Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, Districts to further redevelopment, renewal and housing-related projects.
• Partners with other organizations, such as the Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority, to help facilitate the restoration of historic downtown Red Wing.
• Can issue Industrial Revenue Bonds to finance, in whole or in part, the cost of acquisition, construction and reconstruction.
• Operates a riverfront bulk transfer facility, facilitating the shipping of bulk commodities via water transport.
• Offers site selection assistance.

Downtown Development in Red Wing

Throughout its history, the Red Wing Port Authority has steadfastly supported downtown development efforts in Red Wing, from the introduction of new housing opportunities to the growth of restaurants and retail. As part of our 40th anniversary celebrations, we will be highlighting the efforts of our Downtown Red Wing Main Street program and local business owners as they create new living spaces, dining options, and shops while preserving our unique historic treasures for the next generation.

Don’t miss new content highlighting Red Wing Port Authority’s 40th anniversary. Follow our news updates on our website. Interested in exploring our business services? Click here or contact us today!