Published 6:09 am Friday, August 15, 2025
By Sarah Stultz
The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved an increase in its contribution toward the Freeborn County Community Promise Scholarship, which allows students from Freeborn County the opportunity to attend Riverland Community College for free in hopes of staying in the community to work upon graduation.
The action came after the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners earlier this year voted to no longer participate in the scholarship program, citing what it described as a “public purpose doctrine.”
With the vote, the city will increase its contribution from $20,000 to $30,000 annually. The Albert Lea Economic Development Agency is picking up the remaining $10,000 of the county’s portion.
City Manager Ian Rigg said of the many academic programs that students have enrolled in through this scholarship, about half had to do with the trades, agriculture or health care, all what he described as pivotal studies that are important for the workforce in Albert Lea. Many who have received the scholarship have also expressed a desire to stay living in the community.
Janelle Koepke, dean of institutional advancement for Riverland, said with the high school graduating class of 2024, 72 students utilized the Community Promise Scholarship, which is a gap scholarship after all other federal, state and other aid is applied.
Seventy-eight percent of the students receiving the scholarship came from Albert Lea High School, while 10% were from Alden-Conger, 8% were from Glenville-Emmons and 4% were from NRHEG. Students were in a variety of programs, ranging from radiography, nursing and psychology to cosmetology, carpentry, biology, business, electrician, automotive, and criminal justice, among others, she said.
Koepke said 23 community partners donated to the program with right over $212,000 awarded in scholarships out of $220,406 donated.
Third Ward Councilor Jason Howland asked about Freeborn County’s decision to not participate in the program anymore and asked if the city saw the program within its authority to be a part of.
“I think we are well within our latitude to define a public purpose, and I simply disagree with the county,” said City Attorney Joel Holstad.
Rigg said while the issue was brought up during audits for both the city and the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, they were able to satisfy the auditors’ questions under various authorized uses for economic development in state statute.
He said he did not want to speculate too much about what motivated the county board’s decision, but said as far as the city goes, it has had a history of showing support for this program being a part of economic development and within its authority.
First Ward Councilor Rachel Christensen said the program was an important one and that she was pleased to support it.
As someone who did not attend college because of financial reasons, 6th Ward Councilor Brian Anderson said he was excited about the program.
“I can’t believe the county wouldn’t be on board, and I’m happy to cast a vote to pick up their slack,” Anderson said.
Fourth Ward Councilor Reid Olson said he has seen the impacts of the program firsthand and noted a few of his son’s friends have utilized it.
“I know their parents are so thankful to keep those kids here,” Olson said. “A couple more years of keeping your roots really deep in Albert Lea will help them stay here.”
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