Innovation 2021 by Daily Journal

2021

INNOVATION

Daily Journal media

Wayne Enterprises renovates former Sunmart building Hatchery Row provides new space in Battle Lake INNOVATION

TEAMING UP FOR SUCCESS: From left to right, Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer, NeTia Bauman, Annie Deckert, Mike Thorson and Ryan Hansen collaborated their efforts to bring new life to the former Sunmart building.

Bethel church takes on three expansion projects

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PAGE 2 | INNOVATION 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS STORIES Bethel church tackles multiple expansion projects............................ 4-5 Sunmart building redesigned................................................................... 6 Hatchery Row adds innovation space to Battle Lake.......................... 8-10

COLUMNS Katie Schroeder, Daily Journal Media..................................................... 2 NeTia Bauman, Greater Fergus Falls....................................................... 3 Lisa Workman, Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce............................ 7

INNOVATION 2021

The innovation of NABUR By Katie Schroeder Innovation

e typically think of newspapers as a printed item which shows up in your mailbox or on your doorstep. In today’s digital world maybe you also think of a news website with all the latest articles and photos. When I got into journalism I wanted to be involved in creating the physical paper. There’s something about the shape and feel of a newspaper that is just impossible to recreate. But what if you could combine the quality of a newspaper with a townhall atmosphere in an online environment? At Daily Journal Media, we are seeking to create a combination of quality journalism from a newspaper and a social-media website. Our goal is not to replace the newspaper, but to supplement it with NABUR. We want to create content that people are interested in, and NABUR allows us to have an easily accessible outlet to hear what articles you would be interested in reading. NABUR creates a way to make local information easily accessible for anyone in the community. Even though we are living in the information age, local information is still complicated and difficult to find. It can be hard to find answers to local questions by googling it. We created a local social-media website which is based around a town-hall atmosphere. The goal is to create a place where people can discuss local information and ask questions about their community. The goal with NABUR is to change

the way information flows between readers and the source of information. In classic journalism, journalists come up with an idea for an article, gather information for it and then consolidate it into an article. With NABUR, readers have an opportunity to interact directly with domain experts, journalists and other readers to get a more conversational experience for the reader. We hope to make NABUR a source of easy-toaccess local information and discussions about community issues. Social media can be a source of local information, however, that often comes at the expense of civility and good information. Myself and other journalists are in charge of moderating the website and facilitating conversations between members with the goal of having a neighborly conversation. Following our guidelines does not mean that people will get kicked off the site for disagreeing. Discussions and debates can be productive, our goal is simply to make sure people are extending common courtesy to one another throughout the conversation. We want to invite you to become part of the NABUR community by talking to your actual Fergus Falls neighbors. We have already been able to serve as a local Google for people with questions about the community. For example, I have been able to answer questions about everything from street sweeping to information about local writer’s groups. It has been truly rewarding to see civil conversations between NABURs about economic development and city issues as well as participating in them myself. To join the conversation, visit nabur.fergusfallsjournal.com to sign up.

INNOVATION 2021 | PAGE 3

Stabilization and regrowth O

ne thousand fifty-seven unique inquiries, 45 new businesses, 121 new jobs, three shuttered big box sites. That’s just a few of the countless ways that Greater Fergus Falls (GFF) has contributed to the stabilization and regrowth of the Fergus Falls area over the last three years. As a nonprofit economic development organization commissioned to provide economic development services to Fergus Falls and a 25-mile service corridor, our organization and business community has grown significantly since our inception in July 2018. Collectively, we (as a community) have had some great successes, especially over the last year. That said, we must continue to foster the momentum and invest in our economic development strategy for the long game. Consider the following range of services that showcase the breadth and depth of GFF’s capabilities: Entrepreneur initiative This free and confidential one-on-one coaching service provides support, technical assistance and training to early-stage entrepreneurs, startups, and existing business owners. This programming covers a range of services that include fundamental startup methodology and customized work plans. In 2020, GFF serviced 37 entrepreneurs resulting in the creation of 10 new businesses including Uncle Eddie’s Ice Cream Parlor and Dandelion & Burdock. To date in 2021, GFF has supported

48 entrepreneurs, seven of which have already opened their businesses with several more on track to open by year’s end. Adaptive reuse & capital investment Target, Shopko and Sunmart comprise nearly 200,000 square feet of prime commercial space. It took time, but eventually the effective and NETIA adaptive reuse of these sites took BAUMAN shape. Today, these former bigGreater box sites range from a school and Fergus Falls child care facility to a multi-tenant business park with the potential to house anything from light manufacturing to retail. Lastly, a mixeduse property that will provide market-rate apartments to aid in bridging the housing gap and to offer speculative commercial space to attract new businesses. The former Sunmart building, now known as Wayne Enterprises, is the most recent example of large-scale commercial redevelopment in our community. This 54,000-plus-square-foot, prime-commercial property has sat vacant since mid-2018. It was purchased by a local investor in May 2021, and is currently undergoing substantial renovations. With fall occupancy planned, this repurposed business park will be home to two local manufacturers with other tenants expected to be announced later. New development

Carleton Companies purchased a 40-plus-acre commercial site on the north end of Fergus Falls with plans to construct a new commercial salvage facility and contractor laydown yard. An existing but underutilized shortline railroad is located on the property — a ripe opportunity to build a rail spur and transloading facility. GFF assisted with a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant, resulting in the award of over $480,000 to construct the new rail spur. This spur will enhance our business community’s economic competitiveness, increase sustainability, and offer additional opportunities for growth. New construction isn’t unique to outside businesses, but includes existing businesses looking to expand their footprints, too. As is the case with Companion Animal Hospital, a local veterinary clinic, who began working with GFF more than two years ago. Due to increasing demand, the clinic set on a path to expand their footprint and build a new facility that broke ground in April 2021. This expansion has allowed them to hire new professional staff, serve more patients, and retain nearly 20 jobs in the community! We’ve come a long way but there is still much to do and we can’t do it alone. GFF is grateful for the countless individuals, investors, organizations, and partners who have and continue to work with us to advance our mission and grow the area’s business community and economy.

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PAGE 4 | INNOVATION 2021

Multiple expansion projects underway

Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church grows in Fergus Falls, Battle Lake and Africa By James Allen Innovation

INNOVATION

FRESH AND FUNCTIONAL: Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church was dedicated to creating spaces that would be able to be utilized for multiple purposes when determining how to design and expand their Fergus Falls location.

Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church on West Alcott Avenue in Fergus Falls is continuing their facility expansion project, which kicked off with a groundbreaking celebration in May. Kate Haus, director of operations, says Bethel has historically had a space problem, both in terms of parking and space inside the church. The campaign is called, “Make room: The mission of Christ in our generation,” and includes three expansions that are part of the project. The three components are the expansion of the Fergus Falls campus, acquiring a

facility in Battle Lake and mission work with a school in Boudamasa, Chad — a village in Central Africa. Haus said that in Fergus Falls, the project includes an extended parking lot and an expanded building. As a floor plan for the campus was conceived, they decided they wanted to be able to utilize the building Monday through Saturday in addition to Sunday programs and services. Church leadership also recognized that it was a lot of square footage to only use one day a week, so they wanted to open up the facility for other options, including possible community events. The church has already worked with a number of

INNOVATION 2021 | PAGE 5

community organizations on that plan. When they created the new floor plan, another vision they had was to make sure each space was multipurpose, which would give Bethel a lot more flexibility in the usage of the building. Each room is being designed to have at least two purposes. By adding flexible furniture or seating, they can make sure it ccan be used as a meeting space, reception hall or sanctuary. With the addition being built, the largest piece will be a much larger sanctuary or auditorium and it will have roughly 735 seats along with a couple more adult classrooms or meeting rooms and a kids’ playroom. Haus says it will also include a much larger gathering area and a lot of wide-open gathering space. The architectural term for it is a “mallway.” Members of the community have wondered about the slope in the parking area. Haus clarified, “It was a design of the civil engineer and the slopes that are present really have to do with drainage of water and the speed with which it drains. A much larger retention pond would have been required without the slope to handle the water coming in.” Churches by Daniels is the contractor for the project at the Fergus Falls campus. Hailing from the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, their entire mission is building churches. They are assisting in the design and architectural phases of the project as well as managing the construction, but Haus said Bethel is also

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trying to work with local subcontractors. She said that so far, almost all of the work has been completed by local firms. Another component of the overall project includes acquiring a facility in Battle Lake. Bethel is currently renting a building for their second campus in Battle Lake. The goal is to acquire a building that the church would own. They have signed a buildto-suit lease with a developer in Battle Lake and are working on building plans for that facility. The Battle Lake phase of the project aims to break ground in late fall of this year, but that will depend on the work of the developer and contractor negotiations. In Huas’ opinion, the final component of the overall project is the most exciting. The Church of the Lutheran Brethren, which is headquartered in Fergus Falls, sent a missionary couple to the Central African Republic of Chad a few years ago. They started a school. Haus said that, unfortunately, the majority of the populace is largely illiterate. Missionaries chose to start a school with basic reading, writing, arithmetic and a biblical-based curriculum. “They teach the people to farm and manage life and are educating them to be sustainable. The kids in the school they established were meeting in a building with a simple grass roof. So, as part of the “Make Room” campaign, we said ‘Let’s build a school over there.’ That project has been completed. It has seven classrooms covering kindergarten through sixth

grade that will be housed in the new school building. The grounds of the school feature an orchard and there is also livestock and a home for the teachers and administration on the property, which means that a lot more of the local kids can go to school with the extra room now,” said Haus. The Fergus Falls campus expansion is on schedule and is expected to be completed in August 2022. Progress of all three components of the project with many videos and pictures and updates are available at bethellutheran.church/makeroom.

PAGE 6 | INNOVATION 2021

Wayne Enterprises revamps old Sunmart

INNOVATION

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Extensive construction and updating projects are well underway as the location prepares for Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops and Midwest Bevel Edge to move into the former Sunmart building.. Additional space is also available .

By James Allen Innovation

Positive developments are taking place at the former Sunmart grocery store location at 1205 W. Lincoln Ave., in Fergus Falls. Wayne Enterprises owner, Mike Thorson, whose firm is doing the redevelopment work, has announced two businesses that have already signed leases — Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops and Midwest Bevel Edge. Thorson said Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops is moving their production and offices along an expanded showroom into the new space by mid-October. Work on the expanded showroom and public space will continue through the end of the year. The business is planning for a grand opening event in the early part of 2022. The new production space is over twice as large as the current facilities and the showroom is a fourfold increase allowing Cornerstone to grow into the future. Another local business, Midwest Bevel Edge, is plan-

ning to move into a new space on the property in the first part of November. The move onto the property will provide the business with twice as much production floor space as they currently occupy. According to Thorson, the individual tenant buildouts for Cornerstone and Midwest will include shop spaces, offices, restrooms, showrooms and community spaces tailored to their needs. “We are still seeking new tenants for the remainder of the building,” Thorson explained. “We have been in conversation with many local businesses — some startups as well as businesses from outside the Fergus Falls area are looking for commercial space. These range from small to medium-light manufacturers, health care, retail, entertainment and more. With great visibility, easy access, flexible space and existing infrastructure, this site is perfect for a multitude of business ventures.” Thorson added that the biggest eye-catching work that is being done is updating the exterior of the building. After years of neglect, the facade is getting new doors, stucco patching and trim, lighting, signage, landscaping and a fresh coat of paint that he emphasizes

will really make the building “pop”. However, the majority of the work has been going on inside the building — upgrading the building for its next life as a commercial center as well as the previously mentioned build-outs for Cornerstone Cabinets & Countertops and Midwest Bevel Edge. Thorson said that overall the project is making great time and he is very excited in anticipation of the final product. He said whole building upgrades will include updating electrical systems, increasing plumbing capacity and bringing in commercial-grade fiber-optic phone and internet services. These uprades will make the space “plug-and-play” ready for all future tenants. The building is 54,000 square feet, with approximately 38,000 square feett of build-out. The Fergus Falls City Council also granted a conditional-use permit to expand eligible uses. Grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash previously owned and operated the building until the store’s closure vacated the building in July 2018. Updates on the project are available at facebook.com/ WayneEnterprisesDevelopment.

INNOVATION 2021 | PAGE 7

Fergus Falls Chamber celebrates 135 years serving the business community

rover Cleveland is president of the United States. The first train load of oranges leaves Los Angeles via the transcontinental railroad. A workers strike escalates into the Haymarket Affair resulting in the eight-hour workday. Dr. John Stith Pemberton invents a carbonated beverage to be named Coca-Cola. It was 1886. The city of Fergus Falls has existed for 14 years and claimed “the coming city of the Northwest.” Sixteen businessmen, including notables Wright, Barrows, Brown, Compton, Burnham, Dahl and Chase, gather in Fergus Falls to incorporate the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce and declare in the original Articles of Incorporation: “The general objects and purposes of this incorporation are to facilitate the buying and selling of all products, to inculcate principles of justice and equity in trade, to facilitate speedy adjustments of business disputes, to acquire and disseminate usable commercial information in the furtherance of their legitimate business pursuits and to advance the general prosperity and business interests of the City of Fergus Falls.” Initially formed as the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce, it has also been identified as the Civic and Commerce Club, Chamber of Commerce of Fergus Falls Inc., and the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce today. Along with the desire to help businesses grow, the Fergus Falls Chamber has worked diligently to grow the community as a whole.

The role of the Fergus Falls Chamber has evolved over the past 135 years while continuing to focus its main purpose of serving and promoting local businesses through commerce. Past activities and programming have included “Five for Fergus,” fishing and singing contests, Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), Central Lakes Trail development, downtown lighting and parking, Queen of the May Day, LISA Winter Wonderland and Scandinavian WORKMAN Days to name a few. Chamber of In 1936, V.H. Sprague, president of Commerce Fergus Falls the Civic and Association Annual Report writes a summary of the association which still rings true today: “The chief value of the association is an organization representing every phase of business in the city, ready to act on any problem or activity affecting the business or general welfare of the city.” Gravely affected by World War II in the 1940s, the association sold war bonds for the “Retailers for Victory” campaign while sharing positive messages of recovery. President O.U. Habberstad pens a letter in the 1942 annual report: “No doubt hard years lie ahead, but I am not discouraged because we are living in a fine agricultural community and I am sure when the war is over our citizens will return, our buildings will again be occu-

pied, and business will be better than ever.” Over the past 18 months, it has felt similar to fighting a war battling the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our health and economy. Our local businesses have endured and overcome shutdowns, work from home, masks and mandates, social distancing, PPEs and PPP, grant applications and vaccinations. Through it all, the Chamber has stood with our members and our business community to come out stronger on the other side. We will succeed. And together, we will continue to overcome the challenges for the next 135 years. Moving forward, the Chamber will continue to be the most recognized source for community information and keeping people connected, especially through networking events. We work to increase the awareness and importance of commerce amongst our members. We are the governmental affairs liaison and advocate for small businesses, providing a consistent voice for businesses. We positively affect local commerce through effective marketing and promotion of Fergus Falls and our members. We combat the workforce challenge by providing avenues to promote careers — now and in the future. Our mission in 2021 is similar to that of 1886: We serve as the lead advocate and resources for our members and to develop partnerships that foster a healthy business climate. Belong. Connect. Succeed.

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The Hatchery: an innovative addition to Battle Lake

PAGE 8 | INNOVATION 2021

By Mary Bethel Olson Innovation

Walking down Henning Street in Battle Lake, the once crumbling abandoned buildings of “Hatchery Row” are nowhere to be seen. Instead, there is an open field, slowly being filled with construction equipment and machines. After demolition and cleanup in the summer of 2021, construction is slated to begin on the new Hatchery Row development this fall and the Battle Lake skyline is about to get a whole lot bigger. Surely, this massive project is a reason for excitement. For many years, the old worn buildings that lined Henning Street sat abandoned and unused. Their prime location in downtown Battle Lake left many community members wondering what could be done to incorporate the empty unused buildings into the city as functioning, integral spaces that were mutually beneficial for businesses, residents and tourists. With financial help from the Blandin Foundation and expert guidance from Val Martin, the director of the Battle Lake Economic Develop-

ment Authority, the Hatchery Row Visioning Committee was formed in 2017. Through community conversations, surveys, studies, and the help of two local architects, a unique vision was created for a new Hatchery Row. When brainstorming about the new development, the committee came up with ideas inspired by many of the aspects that make Battle Lake unique, such as the beautiful land, biking and walking paths, a thriving downtown, an active arts scene, an innovative community and an award-winning school system. The committee also took note of some of the challenges facing the city, hoping to produce creative solutions. One such challenge is the drastic population decline in the winter which forces businesses to either dramatically cut hours or close entirely. Another issue is the housing shortage. Many families may want to make their home in Battle Lake year-round, but find it extremely difficult to find a house to buy or a place to rent. The committee recommended art shops, maker spaces, retail space, office space, co-working space, apartments, a coffee shop, a theater, brewery, winery, a children’s activity space, an event center and more — all as options for the new development. Four years later, their visioning study, utilized as an inspirational tool by GoodNeighbor Properties, is about to be built into reality. GoodNeighbor Properties, owned by Rob Thompson and Ted Christianson, will be developing the new Hatchery Row, soon to be called “The Hatchery.” Thompson and Christianson, who have strong ties to the area and family living just outside of Battle Lake, have enjoyed visiting the area for years. They have a personal interest in seeing the community thrive. They also have years of experience in redevelopment

projects, having conducted successful projects in Fergus Falls, Elbow Lake and Alexandria. The Hatchery will have 12-15 new apartments, adding much-needed housing options in Battle Lake. There are also plans for office space and a coffee shop as well as underground and aboveground parking, providing a solution to the lack of adequate parking in town. It will also be the new location for the Lakes Area Community Center. Molly Johnston is a board member for the Lakes Area Community Center and was also a participant in the visioning study. She expressed her excitement about the new location for the community center. “We saw a great opportunity for a designated community space in the new Hatchery Row development that will provide a vibrant atmosphere for all community members to gather, learn and innovate,” she said. Though the final architectural design of the development is quite different from the initial vision put forth by the visioning committee, the aesthetic is welcoming, charming, fresh, pleasing, sophisticated and innovative. It will complement the current character of downtown Battle Lake and will incorporate aspects that nod to the history of the former Hatchery Row. “Goodneighbor Properties has put a lot of effort and care into the design of their new space,” said Johnston. “We're excited to continue conversations with them about creating a versatile community space.” The development was made financially possible by funding through grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Otter Tail County Community Development Agency and USDA Rural Development programs. Additional expenses will be covered through tax-increment financing.

INNOVATION 2021 | PAGE 9

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INNOVATION

OUT WITH THE OLD: The former Hatchery was taken down in order to provide space for the new Hatchery’s construction.

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MARKETING CONSULTANT 218-739-7018 corey.eggen@fergusfallsjournal.com

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PAGE 10 | INNOVATION 2021

Join the Conversation!

INNOVATION

A NEW LEASE ON LIFE: The Hatchery, is being constructed on Henning Street, whereGreat the former Hatchery satGroup abandoned for Places to Kayak - Row Outdoorhad Activities “Kayaking is one of my favorite things to do on the lakes in summertime. a number of years. The new building will host apartment units as well I love how relaxing it can be. I have gone kayaking up north by Ely, near Fergus Falls.” as businesses, addingMinnesota value tobut thenotBattle Lake community. - Katie Schroeder, Journalist Product Manager

Has your pet ever saved you before? - Pets Group “I will never forget my medium-sized shepherd mix, Bandita. She came to us as a very young stray pup full of cactus stickers, and was part of our family for 15 years” - Karen Walenga, NABUR member

Otter Cove Ribbon Cutting and Open House July 15th! - Events Group “What is your favorite memory of going to a Children’s Museum? I remember taking my nephews to one in Florida and we had so much fun in the firetruck and obstacle course.” - Alessia Alaimo, Digital Media Manager

POWERED JOURNAL JOURNALISTS The Lack ofBY BigDAILY Box Stores in Fergus MEDIA Falls - Economic Development Group “It depends on what I’m shopping for, but in general I prefer local over big NABUR is a free online forum to connect box stores.” Korhonen, NABUR member with- Nick your community, focus on facts & make a difference.

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THROUGH THE YEARS Congratulations to these businesses for their milestone achievements!

YEARS

YEARS BEYER BODY SHOP, INC.

148

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Daily Journal media

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Since 19221917 Established

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Grow With Us UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

COST

3% Fergus Falls

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POPULATION 7.5% population growth between 2010-2020

5.7% U.S. Average

121

New business start-ups since 2018.

New jobs created from start-ups.

Former big-box sites redeveloped.

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Innovation 2021

Articles inside

Bethel church tackles multiple expansion projects

NeTia Bauman, Greater Fergus Falls

Lisa Workman, Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce

Katie Schroeder, Daily Journal Media

Sunmart building redesigned