The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) has been without a director since January 1, 2011 when Matt Geretschlaeger submitted his resignation. The EDA has considered hiring another director every year at budget time and has even advertised to fill the position, without success. At the January 2016 EDA meeting the board asked Small Business Development Representative (SBDC) Pat Campanaro, who has been providing administrative services for the EDA, to once again post the job. At the February 9 EDA meeting, Campanaro reported that she had received several inquiries.
After discussion, the EDA agreed to hold interviews with two candidates on Monday, February 22. EDA board members Mark Sandbo, Howard Hedstrom and Carol Mork will conduct the interviews. Campanaro will send the applicants’ resumes to them in advance of the interviews.
Campanaro said she would set up the interviews so that hopefully the EDA could make a decision on a director candidate, “to replace me,” she said.
EDA Board Member Anton Moody said, “I don’t think that is possible.”
The salary for the position, which the EDA posted as “up to ¾ time,” will be commensurate with experience.
EDA thoughts on Dollar General
The EDA discussed one of the top topics in the county right now, the possibility of a Dollar General store coming to Grand Marais. The EDA considered whether or not it should weigh in on the matter, noting that the city council was contemplating a moratorium on commercial/retail construction in the city.
Moody, who is also a Grand Marais city councilor, said the city hasn’t updated its comprehensive plan for 20 years. “We need to pause to take a look at it,” he said.
Treasurer Scott Harrison expressed concern about how a moratorium would impact Cedar Grove Business Park. “There is absolutely no benefit to the business park. If the city is going to handcuff us like this, they need to take the lots back.”
Board Member Carol Mork expressed concern that a moratorium could negatively affect the work being done to bring an assisted living facility to the county.
Campanaro cautioned, “Just be sure a decision is based on facts and not emotion.”
Moody agreed, “It needs to not be about what we are against. We need to ask, ‘What are you for? Are you for economic development? If yes, what kind? Entrepreneurial? Owner-owned franchise?’”
He said he would bring the message to the city council from the EDA that a moratorium should not affect the business park or assisted living plans.
EDA Board Member Heidi Doo-Kirk referred to the campaign launched in the past by some citizens opposed to the Cook County Community YMCA and quipped, “And be aware that there will be bumper stickers!”
Assisted living study completed
Board members received a preliminary draft of the Assisted Living and Elder Services Market Study completed by Wipfli LLP. The EDA had joined a committee of hospital and assisted living representatives to evaluate the need for assisted living and to identify gaps in services for the elderly.
The preliminary findings show that there will be a need for 16 – 20 market rate assisted living units, 8 -12 market rate memory care units and 6 – 8 waiver-supported (lower income) assisted living units in the next five years, for a total of 30 to 40 beds. The study purports that the demand will increase in the future.
Campanaro, who has been involved with the process, which was funded by the North Shore Health Care Foundation, said the next step would be taken by Steve Nielsen, Foundation board member, who is putting together a list of developers.
Workforce Housing work also continues
Campanaro said the Workforce Housing Subcommittee continues to work with One Roof Housing, an architect and Northspan to seek funding as well as to create building plans. She said the committee hopes to bring a complete report to the EDA’s next meeting, March 8.
Board Member Doo-Kirk noted that there is a lot of “misinformation” in letters to the editor and on social media. “I invited people to come to this meeting to get the straight scoop,” she said, noting that there were few members of the public in attendance.
Doo-Kirk said she hopes people will show up at the March 8 meeting to learn more.
Local energy project gets limited funding
Representatives of the Cook County Local Energy Project gave an update on the new home construction workshop offered on February 3. They said 39 contractors, building trade professionals and homeowners attended.
Moody, a contractor who paid to attend the training himself, said he thought the workshop was very informational. He said having a representative there from Marvin Windows was helpful. He suggested some potential topics for future workshops.
Moody commended CCLEP for offering the training so contractors and builders can obtain this type of training—needed for certification— locally. “This kind of thing is crucial.”
The EDA then told CCLEP that unfortunately it could not fund the group at the same level it did in the previous year. EDA Treasurer Scott Harrison said the EDA requested $171,675 from the county for its levy, including in its budget $8,720 for CCLEP. However, the EDA received only $161,675, which means the EDA has to trim $18,720 from it budget.
Harrison asked his colleagues what their budget priorities were. He said he was not comfortable in fully funding CCLEP in light of the reduced budget. He suggested contributing $5,000 to CCLEP operations.
Doo-Kirk noted that if CCLEP gets funding, something else would have to be eliminated from the EDA budget.
A motion passed to contribute $5,000 to CCLEP and EDA board members said they wished they could give the full amount.
CCLEP representative Virginia Danfelt said thank you for the funding the EDA could provide. George Wilkes of CCLEP said, “Thanks for the funds. We’ll have to be even more efficient and prove ourselves for next year.”
In other business . The EDA heard a very brief report on the recently completed Green Dollar Survey. Campanaro pointed out that 38 percent of Cook County’s sales are related to food. “Food is big, big, business,” she said. Moody noted that there seems to be a market for locally produced food. He said it seems many of the things the report brought to light as necessary could be things the EDA could possibly help with.
. Campanaro reminded the EDA of its promise to support a Broadband Commission initiative to create a co-working facility in the Grand Marais City Hall building. The support was contingent on the Broadband Commission receiving an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) grant. She said the grant had been received and suggested the EDA fulfill its commitment with a contribution of $2,500. The board agreed to do so.
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