As the Cook County commissioners begin their budget process, so does the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA). At the July 14 EDA meeting there was discussion of what the EDA levy could—and should—be.
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Representative/ EDA Administrative Assistant Pat Campanaro shared the EDA 2016 budget request presentation put together by EDA Board Members Howard Hedstrom and Anton Moody, which will be given to the commissioners.
Campanaro listed 2015 highlights and 2016 initiatives. Hedstrom said one of the positives for the EDA has been Campanaro’s work and his colleagues agreed.
Hedstrom said he hoped the county would grant the EDA’s levy request. “We are all doing this because we want to make the community a better place,” he noted.
The presentation included a 2016 levy request of $179,000. Last year the EDA received $163,000.
At the start of the meeting, the EDA entertained a request from the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) for $11,553 to support the Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP). There was lengthy discussion of how this would impact the EDA budget and Board Member Mark Sandbo said, “I support the program, but if the county commissioners aren’t going to support us, we can’t support you.”
The EDA board ultimately passed a motion to support REEP with a contribution of $8,720 and Sandbo added, “We want to help people. I’ll vote for this, it’s an important thing to do, but it is difficult. We could levy $386,000, but the county won’t go for that. This is the kind of thing that grinds down the EDA.”
Board Member and County Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk said there are three new commissioners so the EDA may have more success in its request for a levy increase.
George Wilkes of CCLEP said of the REEP contribution, “I think this will be helpful when you present your budget. This is a program that shows economic return.”
The presentation also showed that the EDA would be receiving $25,000 from the UMD Small Business Development Center (SBDC); and $2,520 in rent from Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Authority (AEOA).
Campanaro pointed out that with the CCLEP REEP request, the levy request would be $180,070. The board passed a motion to seek that amount for the 2016 levy.
Broadband Commission gets support
Broadband Commission Chair Bob Pranis told the EDA board that the commission was applying for a Blandin Foundation grant to create a co-working facility and several public access “hot spots.” The co-working facility would be used to support broadband related work by providing a workspace that could be rented by the hour, day, week or month. It is intended to support technology workers who want to have office space outside their home or for summer residents or visitors who may stay in the community longer if they have access to technology. The “hot spots” would reduce travel time by offering video conferencing sites and would offer WIFI for people who are “off-grid.”
The broadband commission has received $2,000 in in-kind assistance from Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, $1,000 in computers from PCs for People, and $500 from the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. Pranis said the city is supporting the project by providing space in the Grand Marais City Hall building (in the old visitor’s information center). Pranis said the broadband commission was asking the EDA to consider a contribution of $2,500.
The board passed unanimous motion to contribute $2,500 to the broadband commission project.
Concern about Taconite Harbor Energy Center
Hedstrom said the recent news that the Taconite Harbor Energy Center was idling the plant in 2016 and eventually shutting down its energy production with coal entirely is really bad news for Cook County’s economy.
Board Member Hal Greenwood agreed, noting that this could affect Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) funds that the county receives, such as past funding for the school, hospital, golf course and more.
Campanaro asked, “Is there a role, as the EDA, that we could play?”
Hedstrom said yes, the EDA should help in any way it can as Minnesota Power looks for other ways to use the plant in Schroeder.
In other business
. Pat Campanaro provided a workforce housing grant update. She said the entire EDA board was invited to visit the Hawk Ridge Housing Project in Duluth along with Randy Lasky of Northspan. Campanaro said they are inviting realtors Tim Kennedy and Mike Larson so they can all see a housing project “from start to finish.”
. Campanaro said the ordinance change to allow owner-occupied residences on several lots in Cedar Grove Business Park was passed by the city. She said thanks to City Councilors Tim Kennedy and Anton Moody for helping get that passed.
. Accountant Paul Goettl presented golf course financials. He said in April, May and June there were 2,435 paid rounds. Last year at this time there were 1,652 rounds, so the number of rounds is up 50 percent. Goettl said the golf course is right on budget and well ahead of last year.
. The board noted that the August meeting will be the last for Board Member Abby Tofte. The board will have to seek someone to fill her position as a county EDA representative.
Loading Comments