Resource Summer 2014

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Northwest Minnesota Foundation ~ Developing Community Assets ~ Serving 12 Counties

Blooming Business

Summer 2014 ~ Number 64 ~

by Amy Tobkin, Program Officer - Business Development

This is a quarterly publication of Northwest Minnesota Foundation

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, facilitates collaboration and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert J. Hager, Chair

Spending the day inside of Kelly’s Cottage Garden in Park Rapids is an experience you will not soon forget. Succulent moss baskets, planters spilling with fragrant blooms and the heat of summer will quickly erase the memory of a frigid Minnesota winter.

This is the ‘hobby, turned to passion,’ which Kelly Sanquist admitted was literally inspired by flipping through a Martha Stewart magazine and falling in love with the look of overflowing baskets. The love quickly grew and became her first greenhouse in 2005. From April to September each year, Kelly spends 12 hours a day in her 6,000 square feet of growing space preparing and delivering the grandest hanging baskets, vertical gardens and window boxes that you are likely to set your eyes on. Her commercial clients include Chase on the Lake in Walker, the Hampton Inn and Double Tree hotels in Bemidji. She also has rural and lake home customers who come back every year to start their summer season off right with custom arrangements. Kelly says, “I feel a lot of pressure to get everything done on (Continued on page 4)

Pete Haddeland, Vice Chair Faye Auchenpaugh, Secretary Judy Roy, Treasurer Jody Horntvedt Jon Quistgaard Leah Pigatti Jon Linnell Tom Anderson Cathy Forgit Kristin Eggerling Edie Ramstad


Message from the President June 9th was a perfect postcard day in Northwest Minnesota – light breeze, mid-70 temperature, bright blue sky, and the call of loons. We could not have chosen a better day for our annual staff tour. Two years ago, the foundation started a new tradition- we rent a bus, load up the staff and hit the road. Our intent is to see the impact of our work firsthand, in the 12-county region we serve. This year we wanted to see all of the great things that are happening in Park Rapids. First, we toured the Armory Square Project. The progress is nothing short of amazing. I have had the pleasure of watching the changes over the past few years and I am delighted to see the (almost) finished project. With a great boost from the bonding bill and thanks to true champions within the Park Rapids community, this once abandoned building is becoming

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Nancy Vyskocil

a huge asset to the area. The foundation is happy to have been a small part of this development, providing early loan funds and planning grants. NMF also provided organizational help through our Nonprofit Excellence program and Philanthropic Services program by establishing the Park Rapids Area Community Fund. Under the umbrella of the Park Rapids Area Community Fund is the Northern Light Opera Company Endowment and Project Fund, which supports the Northern Light Opera Company housed in the Armory. This summer, the NLOC’s first production will be “Guys and Dolls,” so be sure to check it out! Just a block from the Armory is Kelly’s on 3rd. Kelly Sanquist is a loan client of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation and her business is blooming! You will find a featured article about Kelly’s business in this edition of the Resource – and we encourage you to visit her business as

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

well. NMF staff can confirm she has a great product and a little less inventory after we shopped her boutique. We certainly boosted the local economy as we took our walking tour of downtown and experienced the great local shops! It was wonderful to be greeted by business owners and learn how the business community has banded together to create a memorable downtown experience. After lunch at a local restaurant, we headed to Itasca State Park. We toured the lake on the Chester Charles – and what a great way to immerse ourselves in our guiding principle – Quality of Place. I overheard several staff note: “This is why we live here.” I encourage you to enjoy our Northwest region; our staff is working to ensure it is a great place to live, work and play for many years to come!

Nancy


Asset Building Grants Grants totaling $187,116 were awarded from March 2014 – May 2014

Community Planning: $25,000 Bemidji State University For the reinvention of Northwest Technical College

Stephanie Card, Bemidji State University intern

I have been very fortunate to do my BSU internship at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation where I was able to take part in two evaluations, participate in trainings, assist with scholarship and grant activities, and attend meetings. I spent much of my time working on an evaluation for the Caring Communities Grants program. From my evaluation, I have gathered that NMF is a very valuable asset to the Northwest region. The organization is more than just a financial resource; they build relationships with agencies through ongoing communication and support. Each of the activities I participated in has shown me just how involved NMF is, and I am happy to say I was able to be a part of it. This opportunity has taught me things that can only be learned outside of a classroom, and it is an experience I will never forget.

Component Fund Total: $160,117 47 grants awarded Scholarship Award Total: $10,300 15 scholarships awarded

Component Fund Grants are now found online at www.nwmf.org under Component Fund menu.

Developing Community Assets - Serving 12 Counties

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Blooming Business (Continued from page 1)

time, but the rewards of seeing how pleased my friends (customers) are is well worth the time and effort.” Since starting the first greenhouse, Kelly converted a second large building into a retail operation and greenhouse on the same property. In 2013, Kelly expanded her business yet again by opening a retail outlet, Kelly’s on 3rd. She enjoys the art of merchandising a small boutique and with the help of parttime employees, is able to create retail ready planters for the strong tourism industry in Park Rapids. Kelly’s on 3rd features the finest of greenery, but also has an impressive sampling of jewelry, apparel and shabby chic items for the home. Kelly’s on 3rd is a great marketing tool for Kelly’s Cottage Garden, which is located east of town off the main highway. Kelly received an Entrepreneur Development Program loan in March 2014 to build up inventory and provide working capital. Amy Tobkin, NMF program officer - business development, has worked with her on her financials, vendor negotiations and pricing. Kelly appreciates the help she received to develop a business plan and is beginning to understand how to enter data and read QuickBooks reports. If you are in Park Rapids this summer, make sure to plan to visit both locations - 18008 209th Avenue and 3rd Street downtown Park Rapids. They are fun destination stops where Kelly and her staff will make you feel at home! They pride themselves on remembering the style of customers and making sure each piece fits that style.

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Northwest Minnesota Foundation


Business Development Program Technical Assistance Six businesses from Fosston, Bemidji, Oslo, and Crookston received a total of $42,552.

Microloans

Business counseling and loans are available to help entrepreneurs develop small business and self-employment opportunities. Seven loans were made totaling: $159,943 Outdoors with Jonny P., Waskish

Kickn’ Up Kountry, Lake Bronson

4 Kings BBQ & Catering, Bemidji

Marilyn’s Munchkins, Laporte

Kelly’s Cottage Garden, Park Rapids

Denny’s Outdoor Sports, Roseau

D & D’s Thomforde Garden Center, Fertile

IDEA Competition Announces 2014 Winners

The IDEA Competition announced the names of three 2014 winners on Wednesday, April 24th at the IDEA awards banquet held at the Sanford Center, Bemidji. Each winner was awarded $10,000 in cash to advance their business idea, plus additional specialized technical assistance.

L to R: Rob Cloose, Brian & Coreen Berdahl, Cindy Krankkala

2014 Winners Robert Cloose, Bagley, for CR Data Solutions – a software product that will revolutionize installation and testing of fiber optic splices. Brian & Coreen Berdahl, Red Lake Falls, for Reel-Deal – a line spooling device that quickly and easily transfers fishing line from a standard size line spool to a fishing rod. Cindy Krankkala, Thief River Falls, for Addy-Olly, LLC – an innovative play yard mattress cover that meets the highest standards of child safety.

Developing Community Assets - Serving 12 Counties

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One Man’s Gift: Arthur Snustad Education and Scholarship Fund

When we learned that Art Snustad had passed away and that his trust was being distributed, we knew that big things were going to happen. We did not realize just how big. The legacy that Art has left to Win-E-Mac school district amounts to nearly two-and-a-half million dollars that will be invested for the long term through the Foundation. What this means is that for the foreseeable future, Win-E-Mac will have about $45,000 annually to spend for educational programs, projects and activities in the Win-E-Mac schools that encourage, inspire and support student interest in education and preparation for college. In addition, scholarship dollars totaling over $40,000 each year will be awarded to qualified students who have at least a “B” average upon graduation and have been accepted into a post-secondary institution or program. The scholarships are renewable for up to four years if the student meets the conditions of renewal. What a legacy one man has left! The power of his philanthropy will be felt for many years to come. So what about this extraordinary man? You would never have

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Northwest Minnesota Foundation

guessed that he had acquired this kind of wealth. He lived very frugally. As is typical of many people who grew up with little money and lived through the Great Depression, he always worried that he wouldn’t have enough money to live on. So he worked very hard, saved and scrimped. The thing he valued more than money was education. He believed it to be the key to a successful life. To ensure that his money would be used upon his death to help others obtain a great education, he set up this charitable fund at the Foundation. Art grew up in Winger and attended the Winger School. He graduated from McIntosh High School in 1939. That obviously made a huge impact on him. Art graduated in 1952, with honors, from the University of Minnesota Program of Mortuary Science. With this degree, he was empowered to make a very successful life and career for himself and his family. NMF Development Officer, Lisa Peterson and NMF Chair, Bob Hager attended the Win-E-Mac Scholarship and Awards banquet to award this year’s scholarship recipients and to educate the community about the impact of the grants that were given this year. (Continued on next page)


Hallock Hosts NMF Board Meeting Throughout the year, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board of Directors meets in the hometowns of its members. In April, the board and staff visited Hallock - to be part of the community for a day!

Kristin Eggerling, who has served on the Northwest Foundation Board since December 2012, contributed this article.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation Board met in Hallock on April 16 at the Caribou Grill. Because I live in Hallock, Nancy asked if I could arrange some tours or speakers. Once the business portion of our meeting was adjourned, we heard from Brian Johnson and Paul Blomquist, local business owners and entrepreneurs. Brian, along with his two brothers and parents, owns Johnson Oil in Hallock. Besides their oil business, they also operate a laundromat and automatic car wash. Both ventures came about when we realized the community need. Brian is also a partner in the bowling alley in Hallock. The former owner had planned to close it and sell off the furnishings. A group of bowlers stepped forward to purchase the building, make necessary improvements and add a restaurant to help the business cash flow. The bowling alley brings people to Hallock, provides a place for kids to hang out and adds another dining and entertainment option in town. Paul (who I happen to know quite well because he’s my husband) owns C & M Ford in Hallock and Roseau County Ford in Roseau. Paul spoke of his efforts to grow and expand both businesses and his work with Strengths Training and

NMF Board and Staff at Far North Distillery. L-R: Marty Sieve, Cheri Reese, Nancy Vyskocil, Kristin Eggerling, Amy Tobkin, Bob Hager, Patty Swanson, Jody Horntvedt, Nate Dorr, Cathy Forgit, Mike Swanson, Caryl Turnow, Diane Morey, Tom Anderson, Lisa Peterson

economic development in the area. Paul also told the Board about partnering with three other parties to build and operate the Caribou Grill before selling it to the current owners. After the presentations, the Board toured Far North Spirits, the new craft distillery in Kittson County. It is owned and operated by Cheri Reese and Michael Swanson, a husband and wife team who built the business on the Swanson Family farm. The northernmost distillery in the contiguous United States, Far North plants and harvests corn and rye and distills from start to finish -- a process they refer to as “field to glass.” We were able to see the distillation process, ask questions and sample Solveig gin. Far North also makes a spiced rum called Alander and will be adding rye whiskey in the future.

One Man’s Gift (Continued from page 6)

The music program received $20,030 for band instruments. The school has a large number of students in percussion but many times, students have had to sit out in class or take turns playing, while others always have an instrument available. In addition the wind instruments were in disrepair and in short supply. With the grant, percussion instruments are now available for all players and will be used in both concert band and the marching/pep band. Repairs are being made on school owned instruments so that they will be in playing condition.

Another grant for $20,632 was given for new metals shop equipment. Students needed hands on experience in the metals shop setting. They will now have the ability to offer a few new classes that have not been offered in the past and expose students to more vocational options after they graduate high school. Sixteen recipients of the Arthur I. and Jane B. Snustad Scholarship will each receive a $2,500 scholarship, and be eligible for renewal for up to four years.

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NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Bemidji, MN 56601 Permit No. 36

201 3rd St. NW Bemidji, MN 56601

Northern AdvantEdge Career Expo November 5, 2014 • 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM John S. Glas Fieldhouse • Bemidji State University Exhibitor registrations are open for the 1st Annual Northern AdvantEdge Career Expo. Companies in Northwest Minnesota are invited to use the event as an opportunity to attract their future workforce by showcasing career opportunities they can offer. The Expo is designed to educate high school students who are beginning to explore career paths about opportunities available with Northwest Minnesota employers. In addition to career specific breakout sessions, regional businesses will have hands-on exhibits on a showcase floor that will allow students to experience the type of work they could be performing for their companies. The Expo will also address the skills and education necessary to become a future employee in specific careers. $150 Per Booth Includes 10x10 Space with Two Tables, Internet and Electricity. Sponsorship Opportunities range from $500—$2000 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ashley Johnson

Northwest Minnesota Foundation Ashleyj@nwmf.org • 218-759-2057


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