Four grants totaling more than $155,000 were awarded to nonprofit organizations in the International Falls area by the Otto Bremer Foundation recently.

The money is intended to strengthen or expand services to all ages from youth to older residents.

Bremer International Falls Bank President and CEO Mike Turenne congratulated the service providers and noted that a strong nonprofit segment is vital to a healthy community. “We are pleased to be part of the Bremer financial circle - a large percentage of bank earnings are distributed back into the community through the Otto Bremer Foundation.”

The project to build a new campus for elder residents in International Falls received $50,000. The Good Samaritan Society facility will include 54 private skilled nursing suites and 24 private assisted living apartments to replace the existing nursing home that is now 50 years old. The organization is the largest nonprofit providing services to seniors. Construction is currently underway on the western edge of the community and is expected to be available for occupancy in late spring or summer, 2013.

The Women’s Health Center of Duluth request for $40,000 was approved to continue operating the Koochiching Family Planning office in International Falls. Preventive and reproductive services will be maintained for uninsured, underinsured and at-risk populations.

“Drug Court,” as the Borderland Substance Abuse Court is known, was granted $35,490 in operating funds. The innovative program has proven successful and has served as a model in other communities.

Grow Your Business, a small business-oriented program from the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, was awarded $30,000 for services in Aitkin and Koochiching counties. Working with more than 125 experienced entrepreneurs in the region, staff provides support designed to improve entrepreneurial skills, navigate growth, and enhance effectiveness of business owners.

The Otto Bremer Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 1944 to assist people in achieving economic, civic and social participation for the

betterment of their communities. Preference is given to areas served by Bremer banks.

Bremer Financial Corporation is a privately-held, $8.2 billion regional financial services company, jointly-owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation (OBF).