About the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA)

Established by statute in 2000, the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) is a joint powers development authority representing the City of International Falls and Koochiching County. Our organization serves as the central hub for economic coordination, streamlining the path to success for businesses in Minnesota’s North Country.

Our Core Mission

The mission of KEDA is to aggressively recruit new businesses while fostering the expansion and retention of our existing local industries. We are dedicated to building a diverse and resilient economy through three primary pillars:

• Job Retention: Supporting the stability of our current workforce.
• Job Creation: Attracting high-quality employers to the region.
• Economic Diversification: Strengthening our local economy against global market shifts.

Your Strategic Business Partner

In an era of rapid globalization, Koochiching County offers a rare combination: a highly competitive business environment paired with an unmatched quality of life. KEDA acts as your primary point of contact, simplifying complex processes such as:

• Site Selection: Access to over 100 acres across four premier business and industrial parks.
• Incentive Procurement: Guidance on Tax Increment Financing (TIF), tax abatement, and business park incentives.
• Financial Assistance: Gap financing and access to local/regional revolving loan funds like KOOCHCO.
• Global Logistics: Leveraging our county-wide Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and international customs ports for rail and vehicle traffic.

A Network of Success

We believe in the power of collaboration. KEDA maintains strong partnerships with key regional institutions to provide businesses with the tools they need to thrive:

• Minnesota North College – Rainy River Campus (Custom workforce training)
• The Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Regional and State Development Agencies
• Falls International Airport (Daily commercial flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul)

Governance and Leadership

The KEDA Board meets monthly to ensure our economic strategies remain proactive and effective. Our membership includes representation from the Koochiching County Commissioners, the International Falls City Council, and the state legislature, ensuring a unified approach to regional growth.

Current KEDA Board Members

• Allen Rasmussen – Chairman
• Mike Hanson – Vice Chairman
• Councilor Pete Kalar – Treasurer
• Commissioner Ricky Roche
• Commissioner Adam McIntyre
• Mayor Drake Dill