The Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board heard a presentation on eco-industrial development from Tim Nolan, sustainable industrial development coordinator for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Nolan stressed that businesses need to work together to develop “green” communities. Eco-industrial development was defined in his presentation as “networks of businesses that work with each other and in conjunction with their communities to improve resource productivity, expand markets, eliminate pollution, and catalyze economic growth through enhanced profits, wages and local investment.”
He gave the group multiple examples of communities and businesses that have embraced the concept, including several projects in Minnesota. As one example, he said that a wasted byproduct from one business may provide a resource for another business in the community.
“Those who effectively implement wide spread applications of industrial ecology will not only solve environmental challenges but will gain competitive advantages in the emerging green economy,” Nolan said.
He pointed to cost-saving measures that businesses can undertake, but also noted developing new business relationships due to “green” business practices could also be beneficial. He explained that in some areas, cities are competing to become “green” communities and to attract businesses looking to become part of that movement.
Nolan said that eco-friendly development and businesses practices were not just a “passing fad,” but were instead becoming more important.
Nolan referred to the proposed Renewable Energy Clean Air Project plasma gasification facility as a good step for Koochiching County. But, he also noted that there were other ways that the community could become more environmentally efficient, especially by working with some of the local businesses to form symbiotic relationships.
KEDA Board member Mike Hanson noted that many of the companies involved in the local timber industry were already moving in the direction of environmentally friendly practices.
Small Business Development Center update
Jenny Dougherty of the Small Business Development Center thanked the KEDA Board for increasing her position to full time.
“The number of clients I have worked with, the types of services provided and the amount of loans that have been funded have shown that the services the SBDC provides are needed by our small businesses,” she said.
She noted that the Women’s Business Network monthly meetings continue, with participation varying by the topic of discussion.
Dougherty also provided an annual tally of the services that the SBDC has provided to local businesses. She said that she worked with 69 unique clients and provided more than 400 hours of counseling. Financial investments in the companies she worked with totaled more than $4.7 million.
Of the clients she worked with, three businesses were purchased, two businesses increased their profits, 15 new jobs were created, 46 jobs were retained and seven clients started a new business.
KEDA Board news notes
• KEDA Director Paul Nevanen told the board that the RECAP project received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for $951,000 earlier in January. He said that it, “speaks volumes about little Koochiching County” that the project has garnered support and is moving forward. The project’s feasibility study is being completed and subsequently reviewed by consulting firm R.W. Beck.
• Nevanen also said that he is currently working to reactivate the status of the foreign trade zone, which lost its FTZ designation when it was not renewed. He also reported that the Minnesota Foreign Trade Zones group, of which the local FTZ is a member, has submitted a grant application for $30,000 to develop a marketing plan to develop the zones.
• KEDA Board member Allen Rasmussen nominated Nevanen for a position on the Arrowhead Regional Development Corporation Board, for which Nevanen was selected.
• Nevanen reported that he was involved in several local visits, including meeting with U.S. Sen. Al Franken’s staff, an upcoming visit with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, and his discussion of the cold weather testing facility on a recent Weather Channel special.
