The International Falls Economic Development Authority Monday heard from its new director on a variety of ongoing projects.
Shawn Mason was officially appointed director of economic and community development Monday, when the EDA also elected Gail Rognerud as EDA president and Paul Eklund as vice president. The changes in leadership resulted because former EDA president, Tim “Chopper” McBride, has been appointed mayor to fill out the term left vacant with Mason’s resignation from the position. Cynthia Jaksa was named treasurer and secretary. Mason will also serve as assistant secretary and Betty Bergstrom, deputy city administrator, will serve as assistant treasurer. The EDA Board is made up of the International Falls City Council.
Mason is expected to work with Jaksa to develop a budget for the EDA, which will be brought to the board for review.
In her director’s report, Mason said an Aug. 30 groundbreaking for a warehouse project and to celebrate a $657,400 state grant intended to help develop the project is expected to draw Gov. Mark Dayton and Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Mark Phillips.
The grant was awarded by DEED for construction of the first phase of a multi-modal facility adjacent to the largest rail port in North America in Ranier. Nexus Distribution, which provides repackaging services that enable companies to meet United States regulatory requirements, is planning a warehouse and processing facility on 80-85 acres now owned by Boise Inc. off County Highway 155, east of the city. About 50 jobs are expected to be created in five years. Total project cost is estimated at $957,400.
Mason reported Monday that the property has been appraised for the project, but added that details of the appraisal are not yet public.
A “logistics opportunities assessment” on city property will be conducted by HR Green, a company that helps businesses solve logistic issues, said Mason. The company is expected to consider the availability to rail, air and roads in the area.
She noted that the Koochiching Economic Development Authority is expected to be a partner in the assessment and will provide a tour of the foreign trade zone, jointly owned by the city and Koochiching County, for representatives of HR Green.
Mason said a growing company that may be seeking additional locations has been invited to visit the community in August to consider whether any sites meet their logistic needs.
“This is exciting,” said Jaksa of the visit and assessment.
“It’s about relationship building and researching growing companies and their needs,” said Mason. “That’s what HR Green will help us with.”
In other business, the board authorized Mason to develop a plan to establish a trail through 125-acres known as the Donahue property, located west of the city, which was given to the city as a gift in 2009 from the family. The undeveloped land is valued a $1.8 million and includes 1,440 feet of shoreline. Mason suggested the board consider working with a logger to remove timber from the trail area, with payment being the wood fiber.
The trail, she said, would provide the public and elected officials with access to a “lookout” on Rainy River and help begin the land development planning process.
The property, which has yet to be annexed into the city limits, is expected to be developed in phases into a housing development with access to the Falls golf course.
The board authorized Mason to consider revisions to eligibility for a city commercial loan program as well as updating a pamphlet that describes the program.
Mason suggested that any property owner that pays commercial property taxes to the city be eligible for the program, however, councilors asked her to research how corporations would be handled. She is expected to bring recommendations about the eligibility back the board for review.
Meanwhile, the EDA Board learned for a Sept. 26 health summit being planned in partnership with Rainy River Community College. The summit is an effort to consider how the college can expand its curriculum in the heath care field.
The goal, according to Jaksa, who was involved in meetings with Sue Collins, president of the Northeast Higher Education District, of which RRCC is a member, and RRCC Provost Ken Simberg, is to include representatives of medical facilities in Littlefork, Big Fork, International Falls, Fort Frances and Baudette.
