Relationship to County and City (Governance)
The Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) is a joint powers authority formed in 2000 by Koochiching County and the City of International Falls (About Us – KEDA). This means KEDA was created through a partnership between the county and its largest city to centralize and coordinate economic development efforts county-wide (About Us – KEDA). KEDA’s governing board is made up of representatives from both the county and the city, ensuring collaborative governance. By statute, the board includes two Koochiching County commissioners, two International Falls City Council members, one state legislator, and two at-large members from the community (About Us – KEDA). This blend of city, county, and community input allows KEDA to act as a liaison among various local governments to streamline development projects (Featured Partner: Koochiching Economic Development Authority – The Northspan Group, Inc.). The joint powers structure ensures that KEDA’s initiatives align with both county and city priorities, fostering a unified approach to economic growth in the region.
Leadership and Key Personnel
KEDA is led by a board and a professional staff who guide its strategic direction. As of the latest information, Allen Rasmussen serves as the Chair of the KEDA Board (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota). Mike Hanson is the Vice Chair of the board (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota), and Pete Kalar (an International Falls City Councilor) serves as Treasurer (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota). The board also includes local government leaders such as International Falls Mayor Drake Dill and county commissioners (e.g. Jason Sjoblom and Ricky Roche) as voting members (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota) (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota). This ensures high-level oversight from both the city and county.
Day-to-day operations are managed by Paul Nevanen, KEDA’s Executive Director (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota). Nevanen is the primary contact for businesses and oversees KEDA’s programs and services. Under the board’s strategic guidance, Nevanen and his team implement initiatives, work with partner agencies, and engage directly with businesses. The KEDA board meets monthly to review projects, set policy, and coordinate economic development efforts across the county (About Us – KEDA). This leadership structure – a mix of public officials and community representatives with a dedicated director – provides KEDA with both accountability and expertise in pursuing development goals.
Brief History of KEDA
KEDA was established in 2000 by an act of the Minnesota Legislature, responding to the need for a unified economic development agency for the area (About Us – KEDA). Prior to KEDA’s formation, economic development tasks were handled separately by city or county entities. The creation of KEDA under a joint powers agreement brought these efforts under one umbrella, simplifying the process for prospective businesses and investors. Over the past two decades, KEDA has focused on job retention and creation, business diversification, and improving the economic climate in Koochiching County (About Us – KEDA).
One early milestone was the development of business parks and a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) designation. In 2015, KEDA helped secure a county-wide FTZ status, which offers duty and tax advantages for companies importing/exporting through the area (Featured Partner: Koochiching Economic Development Authority – The Northspan Group, Inc.). This FTZ status, combined with International Falls’ position as a major inland port and rail crossing, has been a strategic asset in attracting logistics and manufacturing projects. While KEDA has evolved with changing economic conditions, its core mission remains the same: to recruit new businesses and encourage expansion and retention of existing businesses in Koochiching County (About Us – KEDA). This historical context sets the stage for KEDA’s current initiatives, which build on years of groundwork in making the region business-friendly.
Ongoing and Current Initiatives (2023–2025)
In the past two years, KEDA has been actively involved in several initiatives to boost economic growth and support local businesses. These efforts address recovery from recent economic challenges and lay groundwork for future development. Key ongoing and recent initiatives include:
- Main Street Revitalization Grants: KEDA facilitated the Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization Program locally, in partnership with the Northland Foundation. This state-funded program provides 30% matching grants and guaranteed loans for redevelopment projects. Through KEDA’s efforts, 15 businesses in Koochiching County (including International Falls) secured awards, bringing approximately $1.3 million in grant funding into the community (matched by the businesses’ own investments) (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA) (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). These grants are helping rehabilitate historic downtown buildings and assist business owners in property improvements, addressing economic needs that arose after the 2020 COVID-19 downturn and the temporary U.S.–Canada border closure (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). The infusion of Main Street grant funding has been a timely boost for local entrepreneurs and has spurred downtown revitalization.
- Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (Foreign Trade Zone Project): KEDA is collaborating on a major development at the International Falls industrial park – a new 60,000 sq. ft. rail-served warehouse and logistics facility within the Foreign Trade Zone (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). A Twin Cities-based company, Onesimus, LLC, is leading the $13.5 million project in conjunction with KEDA and the City of International Falls (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). Construction financing was secured in 2024, with building work slated to begin in late 2024. Once completed, this warehouse will function as a regional logistics hub that receives overseas shipping containers by rail, performs value-added processing, and redistributes goods by truck or rail. It is the first development in the city’s multi-modal industrial park and is expected to create approximately 33 new jobs in its first year of operation (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). This initiative capitalizes on the area’s FTZ status and rail infrastructure, aiming to diversify the local economy and create good-paying jobs in the transportation and warehousing sector.
- Downtown and Retail Development: KEDA has supported efforts to fill vacant commercial spaces and attract new retailers to the area. In the last couple of years International Falls has seen several new or expanded businesses:
- Grocery and Retail Consolidation: Miners Inc. (parent company of Super One Foods) consolidated two grocery store locations into the renovated former Kmart building, expanding services and adding a larger attached liquor store (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). This move in 2023 improved a key retail site with an 83,000 sq. ft. updated supermarket.
- New National Retailers: Tractor Supply Co., a national rural lifestyle retailer, opened a store in a repurposed industrial building in 2021 (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). More recently, Lucky Seven General Store, a regional convenience chain, acquired and remodeled a closed gas station and adjacent shops in 2022–2023, reviving a prominent corner in the city (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). Tools and More, a hardware retailer, is another newcomer preparing to open in the old Super One store location after renovations (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). These developments, while led by private companies, were encouraged and assisted by KEDA’s pro-business environment and likely benefited from KEDA’s guidance in site selection and permitting. Filling empty storefronts and welcoming new enterprises is a sign of ongoing economic revitalization that KEDA actively promotes.
- Community Development Projects: Beyond direct business support, KEDA plays a role in broader community economic development, recognizing that quality of life and infrastructure impact business growth. Recently, the City of Big Falls (in southern Koochiching County) secured a $1 million grant to expand its municipal campground along the Big Fork River (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). KEDA has supported such outlying community initiatives by advising on grant opportunities and development plans. The Big Falls project will add a new pavilion event space and kayak launch by June 2025, enhancing tourism infrastructure (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). In International Falls, an old elementary school (Alexander Baker School) is being converted into a 27-unit apartment complex to address housing needs, with funding by Kootasca Community Action and partners (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). KEDA often collaborates or lends letters of support in these projects, understanding that housing and recreational amenities are important for workforce attraction and retention. These community improvements complement KEDA’s business-focused initiatives by making the region more attractive for families, workers, and new businesses.
Services and Assistance for Local Businesses
KEDA serves as the primary point of contact for entrepreneurs and companies looking to start, expand, or relocate in Koochiching County (About Us – KEDA). It offers a range of services and assistance to support local businesses at every stage:
- Business Planning and Guidance: Through partnerships with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), KEDA provides free, confidential consulting to entrepreneurs (About Us – KEDA). Business owners can get help developing business plans, navigating startup steps, and accessing training. KEDA effectively hosts an SBDC presence to ensure that local businesses have hands-on technical assistance in areas like finance, marketing, and management.
- Site Selection and Development Support: For businesses searching for locations, KEDA assists with site selection by showcasing available properties (including four business/industrial parks totaling over 100 acres) and explaining local zoning or infrastructure details (About Us – KEDA). They act as a liaison with city and county officials to simplify permitting, licensing, and any regulatory processes (Featured Partner: Koochiching Economic Development Authority – The Northspan Group, Inc.). This “one-stop” approach streamlines what can otherwise be a complex process, making it easier for businesses to set up operations in the area (About Us – KEDA).
- Financing and Incentive Programs: KEDA helps businesses tap into various financing tools and incentives. It administers the county’s revolving loan fund known as Koochco, Inc., which provides gap financing for local businesses at favorable terms (often up to 50% of a project’s cost, alongside bank financing) (Funding Resources – KEDA) (Funding Resources – KEDA). Through Koochco, eligible businesses can obtain loans (typically up to $40,000) for needs like equipment, building improvements, or working capital, at interest rates below market (Funding Resources – KEDA) (Funding Resources – KEDA). In addition, KEDA coordinates with other lending programs such as local city loan funds (e.g. Littlefork and Big Falls revolving loan programs) and regional loan pools to find the right financing for a project.
- Grants and Technical Assistance: KEDA keeps local businesses informed about grant opportunities and often assists with grant applications. For example, KEDA played a key role in connecting businesses to the Main Street Revitalization grants and is involved in promoting state programs like the Minnesota “PROMISE Act” recovery grants for small businesses (offering $10,000–$50,000 grants to eligible businesses hurt by economic hardship) (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA) (2024 PROMISE… – Koochiching Economic Development Authority). KEDA staff can help business owners understand the criteria and process for these grants, and they partner with organizations like Northland Foundation and the SBDC to provide technical help in applying.
- Workforce and Training Resources: KEDA recognizes that a skilled workforce is vital to economic development. It partners with Rainy River Community College and other training providers to link businesses with custom workforce training programs (About Us – KEDA). If a company needs specialized employee training or is looking to recruit workers, KEDA can facilitate connections to the college’s programs, regional workforce agencies, or job placement services. By doing so, KEDA helps employers access training grants or curricula tailored to their needs, strengthening the local talent pool.
- Business Incentives and Advocacy: As a development authority, KEDA can utilize tools like Tax Increment Financing (TIF) or tax abatement in coordination with local governments to support qualifying projects (About Us – KEDA). They evaluate projects that may need infrastructure improvements or financial incentives and work with the city/county to arrange support when appropriate. KEDA also has the ability to offer Foreign Trade Zone advantages to businesses importing goods, thanks to the county-wide FTZ designation (Featured Partner: Koochiching Economic Development Authority – The Northspan Group, Inc.). In practical terms, this can mean reduced customs duties and improved cash flow for companies that warehouse or add value to foreign goods locally. Furthermore, KEDA advocates for local businesses by troubleshooting issues with government processes and championing local needs in regional and state economic development forums. All of these services are provided with the goal of making it easier for businesses to succeed and grow in Koochiching County (About Us – KEDA) (About Us – KEDA).
Partnerships and Collaborations
Collaboration is a cornerstone of KEDA’s approach. By partnering with a network of regional and state organizations, KEDA extends its reach and resources to better serve the business community:
- City and County Collaboration: As a joint venture of Koochiching County and International Falls, KEDA works closely with both entities. The presence of city councilors, the Mayor, and county commissioners on KEDA’s board ensures ongoing coordination on development policies (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota) (Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board (KEDA) – City of International Falls, Minnesota). KEDA often collaborates with city and county departments on infrastructure projects, comprehensive planning, and aligning economic strategies (for example, coordinating on the multi-modal industrial park development with the City of International Falls (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA)). This tight partnership means businesses get unified support rather than navigating separate city or county development offices.
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC): KEDA’s partnership with the SBDC is crucial for providing direct business assistance. The Northland SBDC (which serves Northeast Minnesota) partners with KEDA to host consulting hours and workshops for local entrepreneurs (About Us – KEDA). Through this collaboration, any Koochiching County business can access no-cost expert counseling in areas like business planning, financial projections, marketing strategies, and loan packaging. The SBDC partnership also was integral in rolling out the Promise Act grant technical assistance in 2024, where SBDC advisors guided businesses through the application process (Promise Act Grant Program – Northland SBDC) (Promise Act Grant Program – Northland SBDC). This illustrates how KEDA leverages SBDC expertise to enhance its support services.
- Koochiching Community Development Association (KCDA): KEDA is linked with the KCDA, a local association that provides micro-grants for community and business projects. The KCDA accepts applications quarterly and can fund small projects (up to $5,000) that benefit Koochiching County’s development (Funding Resources – KEDA) (Funding Resources – KEDA). The KEDA Director often serves on or advises the KCDA (the KCDA’s mailing address and phone contact are the same as KEDA’s office (Funding Resources – KEDA)), demonstrating a close collaboration. This partnership enables KEDA to support grassroots projects or very small startups that need a modest boost, complementing its larger-scale financing tools.
- Regional and State Economic Agencies: KEDA frequently partners with regional foundations and state departments to bring programs to the county. A prime example is working with the Northland Foundation (a regional community foundation) to administer the Main Street Revitalization grants locally (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). KEDA acted as the local conduit and outreach arm, helping identify projects and shepherding business owners through the application for those state funds. Additionally, KEDA coordinates with Minnesota DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) on various initiatives – from business recruitment leads to infrastructure grant opportunities. For instance, when seeking funding for industrial park improvements or broadband expansion, KEDA might collaborate with state officials and other development entities in the Arrowhead Region. KEDA is also connected to wider regional groups like the Arrowhead Economic Development Alliance and often exchanges information with neighboring county EDAs. These partnerships expand the resources available to Koochiching County and ensure the region isn’t working in isolation.
- Education and Workforce Partners: As noted, KEDA’s partnership with Rainy River Community College allows it to align economic development with workforce development (About Us – KEDA) (Featured Partner: Koochiching Economic Development Authority – The Northspan Group, Inc.). They may jointly host job fairs or custom training for new businesses moving in. KEDA also maintains relationships with local school districts and workforce centers to support career readiness programs that feed local industry needs. By collaborating with educators and workforce agencies, KEDA helps develop the human capital that businesses require.
- Other Community Stakeholders: KEDA doesn’t work alone – it engages with the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (for tourism-related development), and organizations like Voyage Forward (a community visioning initiative) (Contact Us – KEDA). When new opportunities or challenges arise (for example, a major employer downsizing or a new tourism venture), KEDA convenes or joins task forces with these partners to formulate responses. In recent years, KEDA and the Chamber have worked together on shop-local campaigns and business retention surveys. KEDA also coordinates with non-profits like Kootasca Community Action on projects that have dual economic and community impacts – such as the housing redevelopment at the Alexander Baker School, which improves housing supply for the local workforce (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). These collaborations underline KEDA’s role as a connector in the community, bringing public, private, and non-profit sectors together for economic progress.
Contact Information
For businesses or individuals seeking assistance or information, KEDA provides a central office for inquiries. The current contact details for the Koochiching Economic Development Authority are:
The KEDA office is typically open Monday through Friday during regular business hours (Contact Us – KEDA). Paul Nevanen (Executive Director) can be reached through the main office contact info for more detailed inquiries (Contact Us – KEDA) (KEDA Update – October 2024 – KEDA). Whether you are a local entrepreneur, an existing business, or an outside investor interested in Koochiching County, KEDA is the designated resource to help navigate local opportunities and incentives.
KEDA’s commitment to partnership and proactive economic development makes it a key driver of growth in Koochiching County. By leveraging its joint county-city structure, experienced leadership, and robust network of collaborators, KEDA continues to launch programs and provide services that strengthen the region’s business climate. The past two years have demonstrated KEDA’s vital role in helping businesses adapt, invest, and expand — positioning Koochiching County for a resilient economic future.
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