After a brief hiatus, it’s time to bring back the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) newsletter. It’s high summer here in Koochiching County and the long days invite locals and visitors to get out and enjoy all that the Voyageur country can offer – fishing, boating, camping – just being out and taking in the quiet beauty of our area. It’s also a time for fairs, summer events, and parades and an opportunity for all of the communities in the County to show off their hospitality.
A lot has happened since our last newsletter, so in this Summer newsletter, we’ll get caught up on a number of projects recently completed or moving forward in the County, highlight a local business that’s captured the rise in RV lifestyle with a location on Rainy Lake, feature a new and unique event space in downtown International Falls that’s helped breathe new life into our night life, and meet a couple that moved their family here and made the most of getting involved.
From all of us here at the KEDA Office, we want everyone to be safe and savor the summertime.
Projects Moving Forward.
Main Street Revitalization Grant Program. The State of Minnesota through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) issued $80 million dollar for a Main Street Economic Revitalization Program. The program made grants to nonprofit partner organizations to fund 30% matching grants and guaranteed loans to eligible recipients for eligible projects that are designed to address the greatest economic development and redevelopment needs that have arisen in communities throughout Minnesota since 2020. The KEDA, through their regional partner the Northland Foundation, made application to the program. After a screening process and two rounds of funding, 15 businesses in Koochiching County and International Falls made successful applications to the program. The program is projected to provide $1.3 million in grant funding that will be matched by the businesses. The program has made a real impact, especially on the heels of the Covid pandemic, and the related closure of the US/Canadian border. A number of the projects include historically important buildings in downtown International Falls that will be “re-habbed” into a mix of commercial, retail, and apartment space.
New Retail Stores Open in International Falls. A number of retailers – both national and regional – have located or re-located in International Falls. Miners Inc. of Hermantown, the parent of Super One Foods, recently consolidated their two locations into the old Kmart building. The “new” remodeled location, inside the 83,000 space has expanded aisle space and traditional departments, a deli, eatery, customer service area and larger liquor store attached. The parking lot was also rebuilt and resurfaced. Tennessee based Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the US, purchased the old North Star Publishing building and after extensive remodeling, opened in 2021. Lucky Seven General Stores, headquartered in Virginia, Minnesota, has 27 stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Last year, they purchased the old Holiday Station location in International Falls along with The Jug liquor store and The Outdoorsman’s Headquarters. After extensive renovations, the store is getting ready to open in July. Tools and More which has a number of stores across the country, recently purchased the old Super One location. It is currently making modifications to the old grocery store and bringing in inventory in preparation for a late summer opening.
The Multi-Modal Logistics and Foreign Trade Zone Project. Pre-construction financing is being secured for the proposed 60,000 sq. ft. rail-served warehouse in the City of International Falls multi-modal industrial park and designated Foreign Trade Zone. Onesimus LLC., of the Twin Cities, working the KEDA and the City of International Falls is leading the project. Construction is slated to begin later this Fall. When completed, the warehouse will act as a logistics hub, receiving overseas shipping containers from the rail and modifying the products for re-shipment via truck or rail. The $13.5 million project is the first to site in the multi-modal location and is anticipated to create 33 jobs after year-one.
Big Falls City Campground Expansion Project. The City of Big Falls was recently awarded a $1 million grant to assist with the completion of Phase Two of their City Campground along the Big Fork River. The expansion will include a new 60’ * 50’ pavilion available to rent for family gatherings and weddings. The grant, provided by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission, also included a kayak trail access. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2025. The City also received a small cities grant that will be used to provide needed improvements to a 12-unit apartment building.
Historical Alexander Baker School gets new life as an apartment complex. Work is nearing completion at the Alexander Baker School that is being transformed into a 27-unit apartment complex. Kootasca Community Action secured the funding and working with the Trellis Company has transformed the former school built in 1912 into the first rental apartment in International Falls in over 30 years. The $18 million project will provide 3, 2, and 1 bedroom apartments that utilized many of the historic features of the original school. The apartments are scheduled to be completed by September of this year.
For more information on the KEDA and Koochiching County, visit our website – www.businessupnorth.com.