2011 ANNUAL REPORT
BE A LE
ADER THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 CHASE HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER, WALKER, MN 5:30 SOCIAL and
6:30 DINNER
It is great to see and meet all of you through out the year and at our annual meeting. Welcome. The Cass County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is funded by folks and businesses like you that are interested in your communities and job creation in Cass County. The EDC operates with a 100% volunteer board of directors that generously dedicate themselves and donate their time to steer and advise Gail Leverson on the dozens of projects she is working on at any given time. Gail is a full time professional economic developer, employed by the EDC. She is tireless in her commitment to find businesses that start, expand or relocate to Cass County. Our budget is very small but our impact is large within the county. Since 2004 the EDC has been instrumental in helping more than 70 new businesses start in Cass County with 645 new jobs created as a result. Just this year we have had just south of 1 million dollars of Grants approved. And the cost of investment per job created in Cass County by the EDC is $825.00 of membership funding. A great deal! Mission: “To improve the business environment of Cass County by encouraging a strong, diverse and sustainable economy and to build better relationships between business, government agencies and local communities.”
Thank you for your continued membership, and your gifts. We never take them lightly and strive to be the best stewards of your money that we can be. Sincerely and thank you, Jim Tertin, President 2009-2011
CASS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Our future is what we choose The Cass County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) was established in 1997 as a membership based, non-profit corporation. Our business members know the value of professional business consulting. They have joined forces with local government to provide free and confidential assistance and improve the business environment of Cass County. SERVICES Our specialized expertise helps locate and secure business financing and incentives. We offer confidential, free-of-charge, professional business consulting services including:
JIM TERTIN, PRESIDENT
DAVE HOLK, PRESIDENT ELECT
Business start-up/purchase feasibility Strategic business plan development General market research Site selection Loan packaging, including public loan funds
BILL PALMER, VICE PRESIDENT
Business incentive advice, including TIF Connections to public officials and business leaders RECRUITMENT AND ATTRACTION efforts increased in 2011 as the EDC developed a new website -- www.casscountyedc.com!
JAY CLINE, TREASURER
Detailed information on demographics, sites and communities is included thanks to the new Location One (LOIS) tool. Businesses and site locators use this tool to filter down prospective new sites and we want to be included on their list. Bookmark it – pass it ON!
TERRY FREEMAN, SECRETARY
Board members are elected to represent the membership as a whole. They serve as volunteers — donating time, talent and travel.
Our Advisory Board includes Dave Johnson, John Grimley, John Weins and John Wetrosky. These original EDC members continue to offer advice. Ex-Officio Board members include Cass County Commissioners Bob Kangas and Jeff Peterson and Administrator Bob Yochum.
ROBERT GOGGLEYE
We believe in our local economy
MARIE ROSE
LANNY SCEARCY
CY STRUSS
Working together Producing results is what the EDC is all about. By working together, new jobs and tax base are created across the county. Highlights include... Central Lakes College Outreach Site The Pine River Backus School District and Cass County EDC teamed up in 2011 to work with Central Lakes College (CLC). Together we sought to increase access to post secondary education. The effort resulted in CLC offering classes locally beginning in October. Students can complete their entire AA Degree in Pine River by taking a combination of face-to-face classes and on line classes. Access on line classes at the computer center, located adjacent to the CLC site. TDF Foundation, Hunt Utility Group/Happy Dancing Turtle and the Initiative Foundation assisted with operating costs. Local resources from PRB Schools and the CCEDC also contributed. This is part of our effort to decrease the unemployment rates and support local businesses needs for trained workers.
Remer Cut Stock Lumber In August 2010, Scott Matheson of Remer Cut Stock Lumber, LLC in Remer contacted Gail Leverson regarding an expansion project to his custom-built pallet manufacturing company. In order to increase the efficiency of his business, Scott wanted to purchase new saws. The $79,000 project was funded by Woodland Bank with a gap loan from the Cass County Economic Development Corporation. Matheson added 4 employees with the new equipment.
“It is very rewarding to be an active member of the Cass County EDC Board.” Terry Freeman
RREAL Rural Renewable Energy Alliance was founded in 2000 by Jason Edens, a high school teacher with an interest in solar technologies. It operated from his basement for five years. The Cass County EDC worked with Jason in 2004 -2005 when he wanted to leave teaching and devote his time to the business. While he had a fantastic idea, traditional lending options were not available. The EDC suggested a partnership with Hunt Utility Group (HUG) and soon Jason was able to realize his dream. RREAL has been mushrooming in growth ever since. They currently have 14 employees manufacturing and installing solar panels and operate out of the HUG campus in Pine River.
“I would like to help build partnerships.” Robert Goggleye
“I believe that economic development - and the EDC- can strongly benefit the communities in Cass County,” Bill Palmer
It’s about the jobs
BE A LEADER Investing in ourselves is the surest way to make a difference in our economy. Thank you to our members for your leadership. Your kind donations provide services to new and emerging businesses in Cass County . Sponsor Members $2,500 or more
Key Partners $1,000 or more City of Backus City of East Gull Lake City of Hackensack City of Lake Shore VIP Members $1,500 or more
City of Pillager
City of Cass Lake
City of Remer
City of Walker
Fairview Township
City of Pine River
Leech Lake Township
Crow Wing Power
Pine River Township
Pine River State Bank
Essentia Health
Hunt Utilities Group
WesternBank of Cass Lake
Partners $500
Business Members $250
Hanneken Insurance Inc.
Pine River Chamber
Anderson Brothers Construction
AgStar Financial Services
Hengel Ready Mix and Const.
Pine River HRA
Arvig Communication Systems
Associates in Eyewear
Hiawatha Beach Resort
Ponto Lake Township
Bank Forward
Hiram Township
Rardin Construction, Inc.
Beltrami Electric
Hummingbird Press
Riverside Assisted Living, Inc.
Bill Hanson Realty, Inc.
Initiative Foundation
Scearcy and Associates
Cass Company Insurance
Lakes State Bank
Schrupp Excavating
CavCom, Inc.
Lakewood Health System
ShoreQuest, LLC
Chase on the Lake, LLC
Leech Lake Area Chamber
Spitzak Builders, Inc.
Close-Converse, Inc.
Leech Lake Lumber
Stille Havn Hus, Inc.
Otter Tail Power
Consolidated Telecom
Leer Title Services
Teal’s Management Group
Shingobee Township
Crow Wing Power Community Trust
Magnum Research
Trussworthy Components
Mann Lake LTD
United Way of Crow Wing & Southern Cass Counties
Barclay Township Birch lake Township City of Longville Lake Country Power Mid Minn. Federal Credit Union MN Business Finance Corp.
Sylvan Township Turtle Lake Township Woodrow Township Excel Energy
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center
Nor-Son, Inc.
Walden Township
Deerfield Township
Northern Engineering & Cons.
Weizenegger-Engel Ins.
D. W. Jones, Inc.
Pequot Tool and Mfg
Wilson Township
Eveland’s, Inc.
Pine River Backus Schools
Young Excavating, Inc.
Frandsen Bank & Trust Individual $100
Gail and Jerry Leverson
Jack Antolak
Jim and Kathryn Lohr
Rebecca Best
Clint Nelson
Blind Lake Township
Frank Orton
Bob and Jeanette Bruckbauer
Tim Orton
Neal and Kathy Gaalswyk
Howard Prushek
John and Thelma Grimley
Marie Rose
Bill Hansen, Sr.
Fritz Templin
Dave Holk
Jim Tertin
Bob and Betty Kangas
John and Sandy Weins
These organizations graciously provide financial assistance through grants and contracts.
