Board of Directors | Staff | Advisory Council | Investment Partners
About Us
Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) was formed in 1981 as a non-profit corporation and is dedicated to the mission of helping create quality jobs. Primary financial support comes from the Blandin Foundation and Itasca County with additional investment from other public and private partners.
IEDC has a long legacy of success helping local businesses from start-up to major expansion. We are the Itasca area′s "go to" resource for business development, promoting the retention and growth of existing businesses, and attracting new businesses who can flourish in our supportive and competitive environment.
Our seasoned staff, Directors, Advisory Council, and investment partners have the insights and knowledge to help businesses considering expanding or relocating to the Itasca area.
"During Magnetation′s formative stages and at other crucial junctures in our initial development, IEDC staff put in considerable time and commitment in helping us succeed. They not only helped us to secure governmental assistances like JOBZ, DEED financing and Iron Range Resource funding, but they also provided counsel and help with marketing and strategic issues. We very much appreciate the help we have received to date from IEDC."
Larry Lehtinen, CEO Magnetation, Inc.
• Rick Lemonds – Chairman, Lake Country Power
Top of Page
• Ron Oleheiser – Vice Chairman, Herald Review
• Sue Estee – Secretary Treasurer, Second Harvest Food Bank
• Mike Ives – Past Chairman, Mike Ives Realty
• Rochelle Van Den Heuvel – School District 318
• Mark Glasnapp – Retired, ASV, Inc.
• Rusty Eichorn – Itasca County Commissioner
• Kris Ferraro – Broberg & Ferraro CPAs
• Bud Stone – Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
• Diane Weber, Interim President
Top of Page
• Jeff Borling, APEX Director of Business Development
• Teri Heikkila, Office Administrator
• Joe Parkinen, Itasca Eco Industrial Park Project and Property Manager
• Jane Bymark, Small Business Consultant
• Troy Anderson (White Ivy Design)
• Mike Andrews (MN Discovery Center)
• Steve Arbour (Gemni Sports)
• Marian Barcus (Itasca County Health & Human Services)
• Fred Bobich (Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge)
• Rusty Eichorn (County Commissioner)
• Sue Estee (Second Harvest Food Bank)
• Kris Ferraro (Broberg & Ferraro CPAs)
• Jeff Fisher (First State Bank Bigfork)
• Paula Frings (Cleveland Management)
• Shawn Gillen (City of Grand Rapids)
• Mark Glasnapp (ASV, Inc., Retired)
• Rick Harding (Rennix Properties)
• Bill Heig (Bowen Lodge)
• Ron Herbig (Berquist Company)
• Jim Hoolihan (Blandin Foundation)
• Mike Iaizzo (KOZY/KMFY Radio)
• Mike Ives (Mike Ives Realty/Timberlake Lodge)
• Cindy James (Hill City Realty)
• Bernadine Joselyn (Blandin Foundation)
• Lester Kachinske (Itasca County Health & Human Services)
• Pat Kane (Lefty’s Tent & Party Rental)
• Dave Latvala (Latvala Lumber)
• Peter Lavalier (Occupational Development Center)
• Rick Lemonds (Lake Country Power)
• Joe Maher (UPM Blandin)
• David Marty (Reif Performing Arts Center)
• Betsy McBride (Itasca Family YMCA)
• Brian Nicklason (Woodland Bank)
• Dan Odegaard (Bigfork Valley Hospital)
• Ron Oleheiser (Herald Review)
• Sandra Ortman (Lakehomes.com Realty)
• John Rajala (Rajala Companies)
• Nancy Roth (Loon Point Resort)
• Al Rudeck (Minnesota Power)
• Joe Silko (School District 318)
• Jeff Stampohar (Deer River Health Care)
• Bud Stone (Grand Rapids Area Chamber)
• Amy Trast (American Bank)
• Mike Twite (Headwaters Environmental)
• Rochelle Van DenHeuvel (School District 318)
• John Ward (Blandin Paper, Retired)
• Diane Weber (Itasca Economic Development)
• Noah Wilcox (Grand Rapids State Bank)
• Jim Woehrle (KOOTASCA)
• Ed Zabinski (Grand Rapids State Bank)
• Cheri Zeppelin (Visit Grand Rapids)
Top of Page
American Bank, UPM Blandin, Cohasset Economic Development Authority, Grand Rapids State Bank, Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority, Lake Country Power, Minnesota Power, Ruttger's Sugar Lake Lodge.
Bigfork Valley Hospital, Boldt Construction, Deer River Health Care, First State Bank of Bigfork, Grand Rapids Herald Review, Industrial Lubricant, Paul Bunyan Telephone, Excelsior Energy, Mike Ives Realty, North Itasca Electric Co-op, Woodland Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Rennix Corporation
Anderson Glass, Grand Rapids Loan, MDI Industries, KOZY/KMFY Radio
Top of Page
