By WDIO
Updated: February 6, 2023 - 5:41 PM
Published: February 6, 2023 - 10:43 AM
"A solution to the workforce shortage is already proving successful in Itasca County.
It’s a marketing a campaign called Thrive Up North. “It really came out of what everyone has been talking about nationwide. How do we recruit people to come and work in our area. What is it about our area that attract people to it,” shared Tamara Lowney, the president of the Itasca Economic Development Corporation.
Videos showcasing families and why they love it here are now on the...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 14, 2023
Contact: Tamara Lowney, President
Email: tlowney@itascadv.org
Phone: (218) 328-2186
Grand Opening of The Forge, A Place Where Ideas Take Shape
Grand Rapids, MN: Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is excited to announce the grand opening of The Forge, a collaborative space where elbow grease and innovation can transform ideas into valuable opportunities, right in the heart of Itasca County. Join IEDC and partners on Tuesday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. for The Forge Grand Opening Ceremony.
“Entrepreneurship...
Released by The Herald Review on September 26th, 2022
"Future Forest Stewards (FFS) invited high school juniors and seniors to learn about careers in Minnesota’s forestry industry at the Minnesota Timber Producers Association’s 68th Annual North Star Expo. The expo was held Sept. 16 - 17, 2022 at the Itasca County Fairgrounds in Grand Rapids.
This year’s FFS event was held on Friday, Sept. 16. More than 185 area students and teachers joined us from Bigfork, Chisholm, Coleraine, Deer River, Hill City, Grand Rapids, Nashwauk, and Mesabi East. It was a tremendous effort that will have lasting impressions...
KAXE | By Heidi Holtan
Published September 23, 2022 at 8:47 PM CDT
The Itasca Economic Development Corporation seeks to grow the Itasca County economy through education, research, and outreach that creates business opportunities. To do so, the IEDC organizes events and initiatives around northern Minnesota. Joining Heidi Holtan on the KAXE Morning Show is the President and CEO of the IEDC, Tamara Lowney. Click the "Listen" player above to hear the full conversation.
The next event that IEDC is presenting to the community is their latest Lyceum, taking place on Monday, September, 26th from 6:00 to 7:30pm in the Rapids...
Welcoming Communities of Itasca County Forums - Led by The Promise is You
Forums designed for Itasca County area residents to share their voice about what does or does not make our communities welcoming. Light Refreshments will be provided. There will also be drawings for giftcards for attendees. Come and join us for the forum closest to you and your community!
Grand Rapids 1
Date: 12/8/2022
Location: Itasca County Family YMCA
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Grand Rapids 2
Date: 12/28/2022
Location: Itasca County Family YMCA
Time:...
SOAR Conference for Women in Business Returns with New 2-Day Hybrid Schedule
The SOAR (Seize Opportunities and Rise) Conference is designed for local women entrepreneurs and small business owners to learn, connect, and be inspired to take the next step in growing their business. After two years of hosting the event exclusively online, the 4th Annual SOAR Conference for Women in Business is transitioning to a two-day hybrid model.
“Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and the ability to connect with peers to share business aspirations and challenges can grow an entrepreneur’s local support network and confidence to inspire that...
Entrepreneur Fund Launches Innovative New Program for BIPOC Entrepreneurs
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The Entrepreneur Fund has launched a comprehensive program to advance economic justice through entrepreneurship. The Stride program is designed to create a low barrier entry and peer focus to business ownership and growth for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs. Participants will gain individualized support, accountability, and networks to grow their confidence as entrepreneurs.
“Our goal is to provide the opportunity and strategic support to grow the wealth and economic advancement of BIPOC individuals through entrepreneurship in our community,” said Shawn Wellnitz, President...
Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is excited to unveil plans to create a space for entrepreneurial innovation. With over $1 million secured in grant funding, IEDC is renovating a 16,500 square foot facility at 1201 SE 7th Avenue in Grand Rapids. When complete, the space will be a place for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, students, educators, and anyone looking to learn new skills to advance a career in the industrial sector. “This project has been so long in the making, and we are absolutely thrilled to be moving forward so powerfully,” explained Tamara Lowney, IEDC President. “We were recently awarded...
Business retention and expansion...you might have heard this a time or two as a business owner or you might have been contacted to participate in a business retention and expansion (BRE) visit, but what exactly is BRE and why is it so important for businesses and economic development?
To illustrate this, we have taken this standard definition of private-sector customer retention and inserted it into what BRE is:
“Customer retention (business retention and expansion) is the activity that a selling organization (economic or workforce development agency) undertakes in order to reduce customer defections...
Itasca County Offers $1.8M in Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Grand Rapids, MN: Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), in partnership with Itasca County, is pleased to announce Itasca Business Relief Grant Program (IBR), a new round of financing via direct grants to business owners in Itasca County who have faced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. Financing for the IBR comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The CARES Act funding comes at a critical time for many Itasca County businesses,” explained Tamara Lowney, IEDC President. “The past...
Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. Please follow the link to access the 6-Month Progress Report and how things are coming along for the following goals:
Goal #1: Increase access to capital through our grants, tax credits, and direct & in-kind investments by our private sector.
Goal #2: Create a collaborative statewide network bringing together academic, government, business and community partners to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their startup journey.
Goal #3: Develop entrepreneurial talent by ramping up lean startup education, access to expertise...
Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is excited to announce a new fund to provide financial relief to small businesses that have been hit the hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic. The fund is designed to maximize cash flow for distressed small businesses and help maintain the vitality of our Itasca County communities.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our rural community,” stated Tamara Lowney, President of IEDC.“ Our Board and our team are putting every effort into finding ways to support them and our community through these unprecedented times. In just a week, we put together this loan program with...