KEDA to reach out

“We don’t just focus on International Falls,” Nevanen said. “I really think we should try to meet in other areas.”

Nevanen presented a tentative schedule to the board Wednesday, when he outlined potential dates it could meet outside International Falls. The schedule includes evening meetings in Littlefork, Big Falls, Northome and Birchdale. A morning meeting in Ranier also was on the schedule.

Support from board members was unanimous.

“I think the greater part of Koochiching County would applaud this effort,” said county Commissioner Rob Ecklund, who serves on the KEDA board.

Board Chairman Allen Rasmussen agreed.

“I see this as an excellent idea,” he said.

Nevanen said expanding the board’s meeting sites could better accommodate newly-elected District 5 Commissioner Wayne Skoe, who lives in Northome.

In addition, Nevanen added he was recently contacted by Dean Sedgewick of Itasca Power, who has approached the city of Northome with the possibility of establishing a biomass energy project at the Northome Industrial Park.

“Dean has been involved in other energy projects and this could be a great proposal for Northome,” Nevanen explained.

He said details of the inquiry are “pretty vague,” but he said he will meet with Sedgewick later this week.

In other business Wednesday, Nevanen told the board that KEDA’s cold weather testing season will start up again next week – and just in time for subzero temperatures. “It is going to be a busy season,” he said.

Nevanen also updated the board on the Renewable Energy Clean Air Project (RECAP).

“Coronal is working with the International Falls Economic Development Authority (EDA) on a site plan at the multi-modal location,” Nevanen noted.

Coronal LLC, the company that is partnering with Koochiching County to develop the project, has signed a confidentiality agreement with the EDA and are sharing engineering and site information, Nevanen said.

RECAP would use a plasma torch to “gasify” garbage and other biomass to produce energy and other byproducts.

“Right now, they are just looking for a potential site and what kinds of (carbon) footprints will be involved,” he said. “I’ll have updates coming as this progresses.”

Also Wednesday, the board welcomed new representatives from the International Falls City Council.

Newly-elected Mayor Bob Anderson and Councilor Pete Kalar will represent the city on the board. Koochiching County Commissioner Wade Pavleck said the county has not yet made appointments for the year and will do so by February’s KEDA board meeting.

“That is typically why we wait until February to have specific appointments organized,” Nevanen said.

The board also discussed having seats on the board for Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, and Rep. David Dill, DFL-Crane Lake, but understand their presence will be scarce during the legislative session.