Representative Ecklund proposes economic assistance package for borderland businesses

Rep. Rob Ecklund

On February 16 the House Workforce and Business Development Committee held a remote hearing to discuss legislation authored by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) to create a new Canadian Border Counties Economic Relief Program. Grants under the program would help businesses adversely affected by last year’s fires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the border closure between March 2020 and July 2021.

“In Minnesota, we have a long track record of helping out areas of our state when they experience hardship, and last year’s fires and the prolonged border closure have devastated many businesses along the Canadian border,” Rep. Ecklund said. “Even after the border reopening, travel and trade remain extremely difficult. This bill provides needed assistance to businesses along the border, the owners of which have invested their entire livelihoods so they can be successful. In the face of some unique challenges due to their locations, they have done everything possible to survive this crisis. Right now, we should step up with resources to help.”

Rep. Ecklund’s bill includes $15 million worth of grants for businesses in Cook, Lake, St. Louis, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, or Kittson counties with a documented revenue decline of at least 10 percent between 2020 and 2021. The maximum grant award is $50,000. Originally, the funding in the legislation was targeted to assist outfitters, but Rep. Ecklund worked with other business owners and civic leaders to expand the bill’s scope.

Chairman Robert Deschampe from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Paul Nevanen, Director of the Koochiching County Economic Development Authority, Mindy Fredrikson of Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters, Mike Boomer of Ryden’s Border Store in Grand Portage, and Eric Johnson of Voyageurs Outfitters in Rainy Lake all provided testimony in support of the bill.

The committee laid the bill over for consideration in a future Workforce and Business Development finance bill. Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. Documents and other information from the hearing will be available on the committee webpage.