EDA talks Cedar Grove Business Park and 2024 plans
Since stepping into the Economic Development Authority (EDA) executive director position in Sept., Theresa Bajda has hit the ground running.
In the past few months, the EDA has worked hard to tidy up loose ends and set the course for 2024 and future projects.
“The board has been super engaged, very supportive, to get me up to speed on what we’ve been working on,” Bajda said in a Dec. interview with WTIP.
One of the lingering tasks on the to-do list was to convey a Cedar Grove Business Park lot to the city of Grand Marais for the use of an animal shelter. During the Dec. 19 meeting, the EDA approved a resolution to convey a lot to the city of Grand Marais to develop an animal shelter. The property is intended for the Arrowhead Animal Rescue. The agreement requires construction within five years of conveyance.
Also, during the Dec. 19 meeting, the EDA approved a resolution to convey two business park lots to the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) for $1 for the development of residential housing. The two lots are across from the Law Enforcement Center and Highway Department buildings along the Gunflint Trail.
During the recent Jan. 16 meeting, the EDA board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) stating that the intent of the property is to maximize the available space for housing. After some discussion, the board agreed to a minimum of two housing units on the upper lot and no less than four units on the lower lot. The MOU states that the housing must be long-term and will not allow short-term rentals or vacation units.
With the conveyance of three business park lots, only a handful of lots remain available for sale. During the Jan. 16 meeting, the board discussed offers from two small business owners to purchase lots. Jeremy Larson, the owner of JL Larson Construction, offered $10,000 for Lot 6, Block 5. Larson owns the lot to the south and wants to expand his business. The board accepted the offer, contingent upon further research by Larson of the capability to build in the wetland buffer zone. A large portion of the property includes wetlands.
The second offer for lots was received from Paulina Backstrom, the owner of EcoBlue Recycling. Backstrom offered $8000 for Lots 4 and 5, Block 4. After some discussion, the board decided to reject the offer. The two lots are located on the Gunflint Trail, and the board said they believe the value of both lots is higher than the $8000.
With only a few lots for sale remaining in the business park, the EDA board discussed their intentions for the vacant EDA-owned property north of the business park. The EDA would like to retain the property and, in the near future, expand the business park.
Towards the end of the meeting, Bajda and Jason Hale, the executive director of the HRA, discussed the construction loan for Switchback Village housing development. Hale said due to construction costs, the project has a $750,000 gap in funding. The EDA board agreed to loan the HRA $200,000 with 2 percent interest for a 3-year term. Treasurer Mark Shackleton said, “Comfortably, we can do that.” To close the gap, the HRA will explore other funding options, such as the revolving loan fund.
Following the approval, the board discussed setting aside $200,000 in the budget to loan for various housing or business development projects.
Bajda said, the $200,000 will allow the EDA to “provide support, whether its development, housing, workforce development. Things that really spur development in our county.”
In mid-Dec., the County Board of Commissioners approved the EDA 2024 budget at $490,720.
The next EDA meeting is Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Theresa Bajda, the executive director of the EDA, and Steve Surbaugh, the board president, following the Dec. 19 meeting for an update on EDA and the EDA’s focus for initiatives and projects in 2024. Audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins January 18, 2024
