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August 2008
VILLAGE OF RANIER TO CELEBRATE CENTENNIAL
The Village of Ranier marked its centennial birthday earlier this year, and to celebrate is planning an old time Founder's Day Celebration on August 16th. In typical Ranier fashion, "There will be something for everyone - including the dogs," according to Centennial Chair Diane Edens.
The historic port played a key role in the area's development. Its location, where Rainy Lake narrows into Rainy River, was a popular destination for Native Americans and the early Voyageurs. When the first train crossed over from Canada in 1908, the village became an important rail port-of-entry that helped spawn further development. Ranier became an important hub for commercial fishing and the logging industry that attracted colorful characters that helped shape the unique atmosphere that still exists today. While the rail port (now the 2nd busiest in North America) is still a key component of Ranier's economy with the three supporting Customs Brokerages, tourism also plays an important part of Ranier's current economy. Ranier (population 197) has worked hard to preserve its history and maintain its own identity from the City of International Falls - three miles to the west.
The Centennial celebration will be marked by a number of events including a parade (which will feature a dog parade where non-local entrants can claim their dog a "Ranier dog for a day"), a float-plane fly-over, an art show, food vendors, children's games, an open house at the Finstad Auto Marine Shop, book signings by local authors, a vintage boat display, a street dance and a fireworks display from Sand Bay.
"Ranier is a special place and this centennial is a big deal so we wanted to do it up right," added Edens.
While the Centennial will be a recognition of Ranier's past, it's location as a growing rail port-of-entry will be strategic in looking toward the future. The Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) has been working to develop a 92-acre rail served business park just south of Ranier. The site, which is also designated as a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), is adjacent to the main north/south rail line used by CN Rail. The vision for the site is to attract a mix of rail customers who will benefit from the FTZ, as well as general purpose warehousing.
Ranier has maintained its charm during the tremendous changes of the past one hundred years and one thing is certain looking to the next one hundred years - that despite the certainty of change, Ranier will continue to fiercely guard its history and its independence, and that the dogs of Ranier will be free to roam.
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