Above: Business leaders were recognized at the Cook County Chamber and Visit Cook County celebration on November 3. (L-R) Pete and Carline Gresczyk of G&G Septic, Business of the Year; Terry Backlund, accepting for his brother, Sid Backlund of Sven & Ole’s Pizza, Entrepreneur of the Year; and Howard Hedstrom of Hedstrom Lumber Company, Community Business Leader of the Year. Left: Senator Tom Bakk visits with Grand Marais Art Colony Director Amy Demmer.
Lutsen Resort was filled with business owners from all ends of the county and dignitaries from around the region on Tuesday, November 3 at the Sixth Annual Tourism and Business Celebration. The Cook County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Cook County hosted the event that saw nearly 250 attendees.
Visit Cook County Executive Director Linda Kratt gave an enthusiastic welcome to the crowd, happily noting that many local business owners had told her they have had the “best summer ever.” Kratt read the list of accomplishments the county had seen this year, from the Budget Travel magazine “America’s Coolest Small Town” award to a number of Lake Superior Magazine’s “Best of the Lake” awards.
Kratt was followed by Chamber Director Jim Boyd, who joked that he was following “a cheerleader.” The audience laughed, but throughout the evening, it was agreed that there had been plenty to cheer about in 2015.
Boyd welcomed several visitors—Senator Tom Bakk, the new Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) Director Mark Phillips and DFL candidate for Minnesota House 3A Rob Ecklund.
Scott Harrison of Lutsen Resort, a member of the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) introduced Senator Tom Bakk, thanking him for his legislative support for a variety of Cook County projects. Bakk garnered another laugh when he noted that Kratt’s “Best of…list” didn’t include “Best Senator.”
“Maybe next year,” quipped Bakk.
Bakk said it was nice to see the number of young people in attendance at the celebration. “They say the world belongs to those who show up,” he said. “Thanks for showing up.”
Bakk recalled the many trips he had made up the North Shore with his friend, Representative David Dill, who passed away August 8, 2015. Bakk said David was in the legislature for all the right reasons. He said both he and David enjoyed representing this district and being able to say they represent the district where Minnesota goes to play. “Thank you to all of you, for making people feel welcome to keep them coming back.”
After Bakk, keynote speaker Sheila Smith, executive director for Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, gave an interesting presentation on the economic impact of the arts in Minnesota and the estimated impact in Cook County. What should have been a dry recital of data was made interesting by Smith’s anecdotes about time spent at the Grand Marais Art Colony Plein Air Event.
Smith said the recent Creative Minnesota study showed that the annual economic impact to Cook County is $4.6 million, bringing the equivalent of 127 full-time jobs. Smith said, “Cook County is a unique arts destination. You can build on that,” she said.
Business Awards presented
Before the delicious desserts, a fitting end to the wonderful Lutsen Resort meal, three awards were presented, each awardee receiving a beautiful glass piece by Grand Marais artist Nancy Seaton. Jim Boyd said the first, the Entrepreneur of the Year award, had eight very worthy nominees. All were nominated by members of the Cook County Chamber.
Winning the entrepreneur award was Sid Backlund of Sven & Ole’s Pizza for his growing frozen pizza business. Sid was not able to be at the celebration because he was meeting with Upper Lakes Foods regarding his new enterprise. His brother, Terry Backlund, accepted the award for him.
Next was the Business of the Year Award and again many local businesses were recognized. Winning the award was G&G Septic of Grand Marais. Pete and Carline Gresczyk were there to accept the award and Pete expressed appreciation, adding, “It means a lot to be nominated by my peers.”
Finally, Boyd announced the Community Business Leader of the Year, Howard Hedstrom. Hedstrom is president of the 100-yearold Hedstrom Lumber Company and also serves on the Cook County Chamber board, the Cook County/ Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, the Cook County Community Foundation, and is president of the National Forest Resources Council.
Hedstrom thanked the Chamber for the award and expressed appreciation to his employees and to the many hard-working community members who serve with him on boards and committees. And of course, he said thanks to his supportive wife, Bonnie Gay.
After the awards, the crowd spilled out into the lobby to enjoy dessert, to visit, to congratulate the award winners and to celebrate a successful year.
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