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April 2008
Update from KEDA Director - Paul Nevanen
Greetings from God's Country. The seagulls have returned to Koochiching County and that makes it official - spring is here. For the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA), spring coincides with planning for the coming year in anticipation of the construction season. With this update, we'd like to report on the status of several of the exciting projects we've referenced in past newsletters. We'd also like to provide those business owners and individuals that are doing their own future planning with information on how our area can meet your needs. It's as simple as that - we'd love to be in your future.
Project updates. The Koochiching Freshwater Fisheries has begun processing fish on a limited basis while they await completion of their facility expansion. The Fisheries, located in the International Falls Business Park, is planning on having their automated line operational by mid-May. This investment in our area will provide at least 60 jobs, making it one of the most significant job creators in a number of years. Northland Distributing and Manufacturing is ready to break ground this spring on their new expansion that will allow them to assemble and fabricate wood boilers. This significant expansion will create an estimated 20 good-paying jobs. The Falls Memorial Hospital and the Duluth Clinic-International Falls continue to explore merging services in a new campus that will help both health-care facilities expand and improve healthcare services to patients in the region. The feasibility study for the Renewable Energy Clean Air Project (RECAP) is nearly ready to begin. The engineering firm, RW Beck, will provide an independent analysis of the proposed $30 million dollar project that will convert municipal solid waste into energy through a plasma gasification process. The study will provide the county with the necessary information on whether the project will meet the county's economic, environmental, and operational needs. The City of International Falls and Voyageurs National Park continue to pursue the creation of a new park headquarters, heritage center, day marina, and amphitheater on the city's waterfront property. This partnership is also attracting private investment on the adjacent property. Ultimate Development LLC is looking to develop a custom lodge/resort and small convention facility next to the planned park headquarters. The lodge would provide a complimentary destination for the property and would provide access to Rainy Lake.
Other areas of interest. The KEDA also remains committed to further development of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) rail business park east of International Falls. The 80 + acres is strategically located south of the Port of Ranier - the 2nd busiest rail port in North America and a major crossing for CN Rail. Our plan is to develop a rail-served business park that will host general purpose warehousing as well as companies that can benefit from locating in a Foreign Trade Zone. The site is also designated as a JOBZ location that provides local and state tax incentives for qualified businesses. Site planning and preparation will continue this spring/summer to make the site shovel ready. Contact the KEDA for more information on how this site could benefit you.
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