Meeting set on Atwater fire recovery

ATWATER -- Officials will host a meeting Wednesday in Atwater to discuss potential assistance for helping the city recover from a devastating downtown fire Feb. 28.

The meeting, scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Community Center, has been convened by Atwater Mayor Mark Olson. The fire gutted three buildings and destroyed four businesses in the city's main business district, and wiped out nearly three-fourths of a block.

Rural development programs might not have any financial assistance to offer. Staff from Sen. Al Franken's office have been looking for help at the federal level.