By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The five-person county board of commissioners, on March 9, again emphasized support for the business community in Otter Tail County, especially with the response to COVID-19.

To that end, they heard from County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin who provided an update on applications for COVID-19 relief. 

She and fellow county employees plan to assist businesses in connecting with vaccine resources.

“Vaccine eligibility is expanding to the next phase,” she said, “and we will continue to monitor the federal relief and how to further assist with the pandemic here in Otter Tail County.”

Baldwin and other department heads also work closely on COVID-19 assistance with county public health.

County emergency

update provided

County Emergency Management Director Patrick Waletzko, on March 9, briefed county board members about the Countywide Emergency Operations Center (EOC). March 17, 2021, marked the one-year anniversary since a local emergency was declared due to COVID-19.

Waletzko announced that the Smart911 emergency alert system will be used to notify subscribers and new users of vaccine updates to ensure information regarding eligibility and availability.

Notifications, free to county residents, also provide timely emergency alerts involving weather, traffic and other emergencies. Alerts are available via phone, text or email.

For more information contact Waletzko at 218-998-8067. You can email him at pwaletzk@co.ottertail.mn.us