June 2007
Sha Sha is back! After a fire in May of 2006 that destroyed the main lodge at the popular resort, Sha Sha will be open for business for the All Class Reunion. In business since the 1940's and currently operated by Stuart Milette, Sha Sha is a one-of-a-kind resort at the end of the road and just a stone's throw from Voyageurs National Park. Patrons will enjoy food and drinks at the beautiful California Redwood bar, carved by Terry Boquist, the artist who created the original bar. Once again locals and visitors will be able to enjoy the spectacular Rainy Lake view from the many decks and sip on Sha Sha's specialty Long Island Teas.
Come and check out the new lodge during KEDA's Your Ticket Home social on Friday, June 29 from three to five and learn about current employment opportunities that can bring you home to stay! Click
here to visit the Your Ticket Home website and sign up to be notified of opportunities that may fit you.
Koochiching Freshwater Fisheries has selected the International Falls Business Park as the location for its new fish-processing facility. After searching for the right community to bring his new venture, President and CEO Barry Barney settled on International Falls for a number of reasons, including the business incentives, work ethic of the residents, and the support he received from local leaders. Barney comments that working with the KEDA to make his plan a reality was "beyond my wildest expectations. I have worked with many economic development officials and Paul is one of the best," he says of KEDA director, Paul Nevanen. "He knew how to get it done for the community."
A $400,000 grant has been awarded to the KEDA for a plasma gasification feasibility study. The proposed facility is to be located in International Falls, MN, would be operated by Koochiching County. The KEDA's partner, Coronal, worked with our area representatives - Senator Tom Saxhaug and Representative Tom Anzelc - to secure the funding which will look to answer a number of questions relating to this unique renewable energy project. The study will address the various components of the project - environmental, economic, operational, etc. - to help Koochiching County assess the viability of placing the project here. Noting the forward-thinking leadership that exists in Northern Minnesota, John Howard of Coronal states, "We are thankful to be working with the KEDA on this project. We presented this idea to several counties and only Koochiching County was willing to give it a shot. They said yes before renewable energy was fashionable and now find themselves on the cutting edge of this movement."
The brainchild of partners Richard Thompson, Robert Thompson, Ladd Kocinski and Dennis Kennedy,
a new Planned Unit Development on Rainy Lake will feature seven twin-home and two single-home residences. These partners all call Rainy Lake home and are committed to thoughtful and sustainable development. The idea for housing that provides premium living with a minimum of upkeep came about three years ago. Since that time, the partners have pursued land purchase and the issuance of permits, working with the local sewer district, the Department of Natural Resources and Koochiching County among others. The project would not have been possible without recent sewer extensions to service the Jackfish Bay community.
The experience with regulatory agencies and the county has been a positive one, according to the Thompsons, who operate Northern Lumber, a family-owned business in International Falls. The project has already had a positive impact on the local economy. Locally based Wagner Construction is involved, and local plumbers, electricians and carpenters are contributing. Materials will be purchased locally as well. "It's also great for the tax base," Richard Thompson pointed out. The development, he predicted, willincrease ten-fold the tax value of the land.
