Southeastern Minnesota Town Offers Free Land With No Takers

CLAREMONT (AP) - A southeastern Minnesota town of 500 people is trying but failing to give away land for free.

Claremont has had no takers in the three years it's offered free lots to anyone with a qualifying income who is willing to build a house. The city located between Owatonna and Rochester has three churches, three parks, a gas station and a bank - all in one square mile.

City officials hired a developer about a decade ago to build a 15-home subdivision in hopes of attracting residents. The developer defaulted in 2006 and the city reclaimed the land.

Mayor Don Gray says people probably aren't interested because they assume there's a catch.

The city treasurer says the transfer would require $1,000 in administrative fees but is otherwise free.