About Us
Our mission
is to exist to be a catalyst for positive change. This is done by engaging with the community, welcoming new ideas, and supporting projects that promote a vibrant, sustainable future.
Our vision
is for the Fairmont area to celebrate local assets, foster vitality through community-led grassroots efforts, and offer a rewarding experience for people, visitors, and businesses.
Learn More
History
Project 1590 is made up of a group of residents in Fairmont, MN striving to create a vibrant community. A steering committee first met in July 2014 and has grown to more than 30 members. Within four months, residents from all demographics submitted over 1600 ideas from 1400 community members, focusing on what they would like to see developed in our community. No idea was too big or too small. An intern from the urban studies program at Minnesota State University in Mankato was hired to narrow these ideas down to the top 80. Residents were surveyed during the month of February to reduce these ideas to the top 30, with a final round of public voting to determine the top 5-10 ideas in May 2015. By June, committees dedicated to each of these top ideas were formed, and work began to bring these ideas to reality.
After collecting responses, we selected 10 key areas to address their greatest concerns. The original focus areas became the first 10 Projects: Bacon Capital USA, Focus on Fairmont, Kids Just Want to Have Fun, Beautify and Maintain our Waterways, Destination Downtown Fairmont, Enhance Fairmont’s Natural Water Park, Expand our Multi-Purpose Trail System, Fairmont Area Community Center, Retail Business Recruitment, and Reuse Reimagine Vacant Buildings. Over time, the original projects merged with one another or external organizations in order to best serve the community.
In 2020, a new project was formed to focus on encouraging STEM education for students of all ages across Martin County. Martin County KnowHow! offers STEM-related activities throughout the year and has been a welcome addition to our projects.
In 2021, we began to reimagine Project 1590’s role in the community. We decided to go back to our roots to act as a support system for the ideas of those throughout the community. We are currently in the process of outlining the services we plan to offer. In the meantime, we welcome any ideas from those in our community. We would love to help you bring your idea to light!
Our Current Projects
Bacon Capital
Bacon Capital USA promotes pork production in Martin County, where there are over 150 pig farms and where we are in the top 10 pork-producing counties nationwide.
Celebrating Culture
Celebrating Culture in Martin County promotes inclusion in the area while celebrating the variety of cultures that exist within our community.
Focus on Fairmont
This group beautifies our city with flower baskets and banners along Blue Earth Avenue and State Street along with flower pots along Downtown Plaza.
From the Ground Up
This group hosts an annual event located at a local farm. The event celebrates Martin County ag while connecting the ag community with those that may not have an agricultural exposure.
Kids Just Want to Have Fun
This group is committed to bringing fun activities for youth of all ages in the Fairmont community. To date, they’ve built the indoor playground at Five Lakes Town Center, the 18-hole FREE miniature golf course and hosts a variety of yearly family event.
Let's Get to Work
This group will attract and retain individuals through workforce development initiatives, providing connections and pathways to opportunities; build a strong, engaged, and inclusive community that welcomes and supports individuals. By doing so, aim to spark population growth and fill open jobs.
Martin County KnowHow!
Martin County KnowHow! exists to encourage the exploration & application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by students of all ages across Martin County. They host regular STEM-related activities — such as robotics competitions, themed mini-camps, STEM summer camps, etc. — for all different age groups.