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Koochiching Economic Development Authority Launches Your Ticket Home
KEDA Begins Recruitment Campaign to Draw People Back to Koochiching County

August 15, 2006 - International Falls, MN - Members of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) announced today the launch of a new recruitment campaign. "Your Ticket Home: It's Never Too Late to Change the Way You Live" is focused on creating a database of individuals interested in relocating to Koochiching County, in Minnesota's great North Country.

"This campaign is special to me," said Paul Nevanen, Director of KEDA. "I once lived in Minneapolis, MN but always knew I belonged in International Falls." Nevanen added, "Your Ticket Home was created to bring others back home as well as introduce Koochiching County as an option to folks who are interested in returning to the more relaxed lifestyle offered by a small community."

Your Ticket Home is aimed at families and individuals who vacation or have connections to the area. KEDA will target area alumni to educate them about Your Ticket Home and will host alumni socials this fall to inform alumni about local economic development opportunities. The first events are scheduled for September 27 and 28 in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Your Ticket Home is part of the new marketing initiative recently undertaken by KEDA. As KEDA increases its efforts to recruit new businesses into the county, Your Ticket Home was designed to support that process by identifying a potential workforce that would be ready to supplement employment needs beyond what the county can currently offer.

Individuals can learn more about the events and enter their information for Your Ticket Home at www.yourtickethome.biz". People who register for Your Ticket Home will receive a quarterly e-newsletter from KEDA with updates on economic development, local business, and the community.

About the Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA): KEDA was created by statute in 2000 as a joint powers development authority between the City of International Falls and Koochiching County. KEDA was created to centralize and coordinate the economic development efforts throughout Koochiching County. Its primary focus is on job retention, creation, and diversification. KEDA is the point of contact for businesses looking to start, expand, or locate in Koochiching and can assist in site selection, economic assistance, workforce information, and simplifying the process. For more info visit www.businessupnorth.com.