At the February meeting of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), the board agreed to proceed with hiring an EDA director, something the authority has been without since the previous director resigned in January 2011. The members of the committee assigned to review applications and interview candidates has made its selection. A final decision will be made by the EDA board at its April 12 board meeting, but it appears the next EDA director will be former Tofte resident Mary Somnis.
Small Business Development Representative (SBDC) Pat Campanaro, who has been providing administrative services for the EDA, told the Cook County News-Herald that the EDA subcommittee had conducted interviews with two candidates. EDA committee members were Mark Sandbo, Howard Hedstrom and Carol Mork.
Reached by phone on March 22, Hedstrom said he was confident the full board would approve hiring Somnis, who has long-time ties to the community.
After graduating from Inver Grove Community College in 1976, Somnis worked in a variety of positions in tourism and hospitality in Lutsen and on the Gunflint Trail, before becoming the executive director of the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association from 1988 to 1997, leaving that job for a position with the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
Somnis served a number of roles at the IRRRB—regional tourism director, community development representative and as a member of the IRRRB development team. She was responsible for the agency tourism marketing budget of $1.2 million and played a role in regional initiatives such as the IRRRB’s film production incentive grant program, the Wild North Golf Alliance, the North Shore and Superior National Forest Scenic Byways Councils and other economic development marketing projects.
Hedstrom said, “We have to approve the hiring on April 12, but Mary was the committee’s choice. She’ll do a fabulous job. She has ties to the community and she has a history of getting things done.”
Hedstrom said it is hoped that Somnis can start as EDA director in mid-May. Contacted by phone, Somnis said her last day with the IRRRB is May 3.
“I’m thoroughly delighted to be coming back to Cook County,” Somnis said when contacted this week. “The IRRRB has been very good to me and my family, but it’s a good time to come back.”
Somnis acknowledged that her appointment still has to be confirmed, but added, “I’m confident that I can be of great service to the EDA and can help it fulfill its missions and goals.”
Asked if SBDC Representative Campanaro would continue to work with the EDA, Hedstrom said, “Absolutely.”
He noted that Campanaro had been providing administrative services for the EDA, but could now focus more on SBDC activities, while Somnis concentrates on the housing, assisted living and other EDA initiatives.
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