Cook County businesses Celebrating Optimism

The Cook County Chamber and Visit Cook County Celebrating Optimism event in Grand Portage on October 21 celebrated these business leaders. (L-R) Bruce Kerfoot of Gunflint Lodge, Sarah Hamilton of Camp Chow, Sue Kerfoot of Gunflint Lodge, Skip Joynes, Aaron Carlson, and Jim Joynes of Joynes Ben Franklin.

The Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Gakiiwewigamig Oon— Portage Hall—was packed with business owners and community members from one end of Cook County to another on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at the 5th annual tourism and business celebration hosted by the Cook County Chamber of Commerce and the Cook County Visitors Bureau. The event was dubbed Celebrating Optimism.

After a fabulous buffet that featured maple squash soup shooters, rosemary chicken and baconwrapped pork loin with pumpkin pie for dessert, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Chair Norman Deschampe kicked off the program with a warm welcome.

Linda Kratt, executive director of the visitor’s bureau, and Jim Boyd, executive director of the Cook County Chamber, took turns at the podium providing updates. Kratt asked attendees to look around the crowded room, at all of those who are “nurturing business in Cook County.”

Kratt said she was delighted to announce that the name of the visitor’s bureau had been officially changed to “Visit Cook County.” That is how visitors to the county can find visitor information on-line and that will be found in marketing materials, along with the tagline “Way North of Ordinary— Cook County.”

The audience heard a “Capitol Report” from Senator Tom Bakk and Representative David Dill. Senator Bakk first expressed appreciation to the evening’s keynote speaker Tony Sertich of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).

Senator Bakk noted all the ways that Cook County benefits from being part of the Taconite Tax District. Bakk said, “It’s not just a $290 reduction on your tax statement—it’s millions of dollars to the school, Superior National golf course, North House Folk School and countless other little things.”

One of those “little things,” Bakk said, was support of tourism. He pointed out that the videos playing on the televisions throughout the room advertising Cook County—with the “Way North of Ordinary” brand—also included a tiny little IRRRB logo. The ad campaign was supported in part by the IRRRB.

He said another “little thing” that isn’t so little, Bakk said, is the need for the local community radio station, WTIP, to replace its 15-year-old antenna. Bakk said he had talked about the project with Commissioner Sertich who assured him that IRRRB would participate in keeping WTIP on the air.

Working together is part of what makes Minnesota a great state, said Bakk, and congratulated all of the business owners nominated for awards at the Celebrating Optimism event. He said all of the accomplishments of the state start “right here in rooms like this one.”

Representative Dill was next at the podium and he also congratulated all of the nominees and all of Cook County. He said at the Capitol he constantly hears from people who love Cook County. “You have figured out how to make people love you—all of you business owners,” he said.

He said he makes about 53 trips a year from his home in Crane Lake to the Capitol. He said all that travel is a challenge. But, he noted it is even more of a challenge for Northland business owners to get away from work and family to go see him at the Capitol. “But you do it! Because that is the kind of people you are,” he said.

“Regardless of what the future holds,” Dill said, “this has been a family affair. The friendship you have all shown my wife, my son, and me has been wonderful. Whatever the future holds, it’s been great.”

Howard Hedstrom of the Cook County Chamber Board introduced IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich, who promised that although he was listed on the program as a keynote speaker that he would keep his comments brief. Sertich thanked Bakk and Dill and complimented them, saying, “These two legislators really fight for what is best ‘back home.’”

Sertich looked out at the crowd and noted the theme of the evening, Celebrating Optimism. “When I look around this room, I think even a pessimist would be optimistic!”

Sertich said Cook County has been doing amazing work and noted that the county has an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, lower than the state’s 4 percent. He said that is definitely something to be celebrating, but he added it also comes with some challenges.

He said education of workers is a challenge, as well as affordable housing for workers. Declining school enrollment is a problem. “If you want a healthy community, you need good schools,” he said.

However, Sertich said there are many positives and Cook County is doing a good job establishing partnerships and connectivity. He said with recent broadband initiatives, Cook County is a very attractive place for businesses. “For people who want to look out their office window and see a loon on a lake—instead of a parking garage—this is the place to be.”

Sertich shared information on the various programs that IRRRB can offer Cook County businesses and encouraged people to look into what is available.

Finally, he too, congratulated all of the business leaders in the room. “People are our most valuable resource,” he said.

Next on the evening’s agenda were a number of awards. Sarah Hamilton was called forward to accept the Entrepreneur of the Year award for her new startup business Camp Chow, which offers an excellent line of locally produced dried meals for wilderness adventures.

Joynes Ben Franklin was recognized as the Business of the Year as a family-owned business that has operated in Grand Marais for decades—and which is going through a change of management that will still ensure a continued Joynes family presence in the community for years to come.

The Community Business Leader of the Year award went to Bruce and Sue Kerfoot, owners of Gunflint Lodge, an anchor business on the Gunflint Trail, who are major contributors to the pioneering spirit of the Gunflint Trail.

Each of the awardees was presented with a beautifully handcrafted basket made locally by a North House Folk School intern, Emily Derke.

The formal evening ended then, but there was much visiting and networking as The Splintertones took to the stage to provide entertainment for the hardworking business owners who were Celebrating Optimism.

Congratulations to the 2014 – 2015
Business Award Nominees

Entrepreneurs of the Year
My Sister’s Place Paul and Cara Sporn

Northern Wilds Amber Pratt and Shawn Perich

Grand Marais Putt ‘n Pets

Camp ChowFika Coffee

Sarah Hamilton
Josh Lindstrom

Randy Sjogren

Business of the Year

World’s Best DonutsBuck’s Hardware HankGunflint LodgeJoynes Ben Franklin

Dee Brazell and Stacy Hawkins
Tracy Benson, Buck Benson
Bruce and Sue Kerfoot
Julie and Rodney Carlson,
Jim Joynes

Community Business Leader of the Year