NEW ULM — The New Ulm Economic Development Corporation (NUEDC) has begun working with three new business prospects, NUEDC Coordinator Brian Tohal told the New Ulm Economic Development Authority (EDA) during its first meeting of 2017 Tuesday.

Tohal said U-Haul corporate officials have expressed support for starting a U-Haul operation in New Ulm. A food service is looking to operate out of The Grand, and an information technology business is considering moving to New Ulm.

Tohal added the NUEDC continues to work to bring a meat market business to New Ulm. NUEDC has been working with this business prospect for the last year.

In December, American Artstone bought back the former Hormel lot from the city, Tohal also said. The lot could be used for further expansion.

In other news:

• The EDA scheduled a public hearing on an annual plan that details Public Housing Agency (PHA) policies, programs, operations and strategies to local housing needs and goals.

The plan addresses EDA administration of the public housing and Section 8 housing choice voucher programs.

The plan must be locally available to the public.

The public hearing will be held during the Tuesday, April 11, meeting of the EDA.

• The EDA awarded a $16,525 bid to Community Partners Research, Inc., for a comprehensive community housing study.

This was the lower of the two bids received.

The EDA included $20,000 in the 2017 budget to cover the study.

After the study is conducted, the full housing report will be posted on the city website.

• New commissioners Daniel Braam and Jessica Janni took the oath of office.

Braam and Janni will fill the seats vacated by Peter Guggisberg and Jason Wohlers.