Grand Marais City Hall, where the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) holds its monthly meetings, was crowded on March 8 with people hoping that the EDA would consider several “sustainable” economic development ideas.
Local dairy expansion
Diane Booth of the Cook County Extension Service spoke to the EDA about the Cook County Dairy Market Survey and Business Plan conducted by the extension service in 2007, looking at Lake View Dairy in Grand Marais. Booth said the dairy is presently selling raw milk, eggs, butter and yogurt. Booth said with help the dairy could also produce yogurt, cheese, sour cream, etc. as a feasible business. Lake View Dairy, operated by David and Heidi Berglund, is the only such business in Cook County.
Booth asked the EDA to consider sponsoring the fledgling business. She said there are grants to assist dairy farmers. With assistance, Berglund could purchase the equipment he needs to expand operations and possibly hire three or four people.
EDA Chair Mike Littfin said the EDA had no funds to help directly, but said it could possibly assist with grant applications. Booth said that was what she was hoping. “I don’t think the grants would have the same impact from extension as it would from an economic development authority,” she said.
A unanimous motion passed directing Director Matt Geretschlaeger to work with Booth to sponsor a USDA grant application for Lake View Dairy.
Booth had high hopes that the dairy would be eligible for an upcoming US Department of Agriculture program that offers grants up to $300,000. There is a 20 percent matching grant requirement, which would be $50,000, but Booth said there might be other grant opportunities to help with matching funds. However, at press time, Booth said she had learned that minidairies are not eligible for that grant. Although no one wants to give up on growing the dairy, Booth said, “We are back to square one.”
Sustainable farming sought
Melinda Spinler, representing the Northwoods Food Project, talked about the history of farming in Cook County. She said at one time Cook County grew its own food. “During World War II, Moose Valley [Hovland] fed pretty much the whole county,” she said.
Spinler said that there are currently a number of small community farmers who could triple their food production except for one issue—land. Spinler said the forested land of Cook County and the high price of real estate does not lend itself to farming. She said the Food Project would not only like to see Cook County grow more of its own food, she said it would like the county to reap the economic benefit of agriculture.
Currently, she said, young people interested in entering the field of agriculture must leave the county.
People interested in farming are not likely to move to Cook County. However, Spinler said the EDA could help change that. One way, she suggested is to take part in another USDA program. “Right now the government has a costshare program to bring hoop houses [green houses] to communities. But farmers don’t have money. They don’t have resources. My charge to the EDA is to help get some incentives for these farmers,” Spinler said.
Spinler pointed to the Northwoods Foods Project’s successes—community gardens at the Grand Marais campground and WTIP radio— and said they would like to build on them. Another Food Project Member, Joan Farnam said there is a waiting list of people wanting a community garden spot.
Director Geretschlaeger told the EDA board that there is undevelopable land in the Cedar Grove Business Park, between the Gunflint Trail and the county highway department garage. He asked, “If [Cook County] Soil and Water Conservation District could help in developing that land—delineating wetlands—is this something we could offer?”
Martinson asked if the lot in question was considered open space in the EDA development and Geretschlaeger said yes. However, he said he believed that the development covenants could be changed to allow this use. The big issue, he said, is wetlands. “This would definitely require help from Soil and Water,” he said.
The EDA board again said it could not offer financial assistance, but passed a unanimous motion directing Geretschlaeger to work with the Northwoods Food Project on obtaining the land in the business park to be used for community gardens.
Food Project members expressed their appreciation and Farnam quipped, “We’ll bring you our first onions!”
Local energy planning
George Wilkes of the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) spoke about energy sustainability and asked for the EDA’s support for three initiatives: development of a Grand Marais biomass district heating facility; creation of a Cook County Energy Efficiency Program; and implementation of action items in the new Cook County Energy Plan. He equated the concept of local energy production to the sustainable food movement and noted that the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op had one employee seven years ago. It now is an over $1 million business. He said in addition to the economic benefits of local energy production, there are also environmental and social benefits.
The EDA board had questions on the initiatives and how it could help. The EDA did not pass a motion of support, but Chair Mike Littfin said although the EDA had no money to offer, it does have resources to assist CCLEP in pursuit of grants.
Housing hopes dampened
Nancy Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions started her monthly report on housing activities with disappointing news about the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Small Cities Development Program (SCDP) grant that the EDA had applied for. At last month’s meeting, Grabko was cautiously optimistic that Cook County would receive funding to rehabilitate several homes and commercial properties. However, shortly before the March EDA meeting, Grabko said she heard from DEED. She said massive budget cuts are expected which will reduce the likelihood of full funding of any of Cook County’s proposed projects.
The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) and EDA will continue to prepare for receipt of grant funding. The EDA agreed that being ready means they have a better chance of receiving funding if another opportunity arises.
Golf course garden?
When it was his turn to report, Superior National at Lutsen Grounds Superintendent Mike Davies said he would be interested in working with the Food Project group. He said there may be an appropriate space at the golf course for a garden and noted that there was water readily available there. He said the hoop houses sounded very interesting. “I come from a long line of farmers,” he said.
Business park stable?
Saraphine Metis, who operates Sawtooth Mountain Stables in Grand Marais, asked the EDA to consider a two-year lease for a Cedar Grove Business Park lot from May – October. Metis would like to use the lot for a base for horseback rides along Nature Boy Trail. She said there would be no more than a dozen horses on the site and they would be taken home in the evening. There would be no structures, just some fencing.
Metis said she has insurance as required by the US Forest Service for use of its trails and could list the EDA as another insured party.
Looking at the business park plat map, Martinson said he would like to help, but noted that the lot Metis would like to lease is a prime building lot. Martinson said he would like to see a 60-day contract termination clause in case a business was interested in purchasing the lot. Metis said she would agree to that. Chair Littfin said there were many details to be worked out, which is why he added Metis’s request to the agenda. “Is this something we want to pursue?” he asked his colleagues.
Board members said yes and asked Geretschlaeger to do some research to see if it would be allowed.
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