The latest news.
River to Rail: Brainerd council learns of downtown revitalization opportunities
Downtown parking solutions and tax increment financing districts became the focal points of a presentation on Brainerd's River to Rail initiative in front of city council members Monday, April 29. The River to Rail initiative...
Community activists gather for city revitalization event
For the community activists packed into the Northern Pacific Center's Luminary Fern, Monday's River to Rail event served as a moment to regroup and refocus. Disappointed after Brainerd's failure to reach the final five in the Small Business Revolution-Main Street...
What’s next for Brainerd revitalization efforts?
BAXTER—At an annual economic development gathering Monday, one word was repeated to describe recent events in Brainerd—momentum. Whether Brainerd made it to the final short list of cities still in the running for a $500,000 prize will be known before some residents...
Brainerd pushes ahead with plan to revitalize river, downtown
It's part of a statewide trend in revamping access and amenities to the Mississippi River. Brainerd community leaders are moving ahead with efforts to revive the city’s riverfront, part of a statewide trend in revamping access and amenities to the...
Baxter: Council to host public hearing on unified fund proposal
BAXTER—Public comments on the potential of Baxter participating in a unified fund for economic development is planned later this month. Tuesday, the council voted in favor of hosting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 to get input, whether from those in favor or...
Brainerd City Council: City joins BLAEDC unified fund
The Brainerd City Council Monday night decided to contribute one fund to the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp. unified fund. The council approved a motion to designate BLAEDC as the city's local development organization and to contribute the city's federal...
Crow Wing County Board: Unified Fund aims to grow business, economy
Only one person spoke up at Tuesday's public hearing before the Crow Wing County Board about a proposal involving the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. The hearing was about whether to designate the corporation as the county's local development...
Baxter City Council: Hears presentation on unified fund
BAXTER—Would a united fund work better to attract companies and jobs to the lakes area? That was the opinion expressed by business leaders recently during a Baxter City Council work session. Sheila Haverkamp, executive director of the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic...
River to rail to revitalization
An idea to revitalize Brainerd focuses on building up downtown Brainerd and surrounding area by adding mixed-use development, trails and renovating existing buildings. The River to Rail initiative, spearheaded by Bruce Buxton and the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic...
Our Opinion: Future looks bright for downtown Brainerd
Perception—unfortunately and unfairly—often trumps reality. That's why it's exciting to see people finally looking at downtown Brainerd in a different way. Already there are new restaurants and businesses opening in the heart of Brainerd, and at least one more will be...
Progress: BLAEDC’s recruitment program helps area businesses – GrowthZone in Nisswa benefits
NISSWA—Texas native Collin Thames always dreamed of moving away from his home state, and a Nisswa company and Brainerd organization helped make that dream come true last January. That's when Thames made the move more than 1,100 miles north to work for GrowthZone, a...
Crow Wing County Board: Boosting economic development
With about a dozen funding streams available to assist businesses in the lakes area, a proposal seeks to unify those dollars into one pot. Sheila Haverkamp of the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation explained Tuesday consolidating the funds could...
Millennials and the worker-shortage puzzle: A case in problem-solving to find and retain employees
A panel Thursday covered how to attract and retain workers—including those supposedly finicky millennials—to help combat a widespread workforce shortage. "Help Wanted" was the latest Rosenmeier Forum hosted by Central Lakes College inside the Chalberg Theatre. The...
New Kubota dealership to open in August – ‘Quality Equipment’ expands to Brainerd lakes area
Kubota is coming to the Brainerd lakes area. Construction is under way on the home of a new Kubota equipment dealer—Quality Equipment Sales and Service, which is building its dealership on North Highway 371 between Tracker Boating Center and The Old Waterfall. The...
Former Gov. Pawlenty’s chief of staff to examine MN economy at BLAEDC’s annual meeting
Minnesota's economic strengths and the challenges it faces in a global economy is the focus of the keynote address for the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting. Scheduled for 11:30 a.m. March 6, at the Arrowwood Lodge at Brainerd...
BLAEDC: Entrepreneurs find a technology-friendly home in the Brainerd lakes area
Brent Backhaus knows a thing or two about technology, but that's to be expected from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate who helped pioneer teleradiology and telemedicine, and whose name is on a lengthy list of patents and multi-billion dollar technology...
How Can BLAEDC Help Your Business?
Technical Assistance
- Local Government Introductions
- Permitting Processes
- Facilitation of Resources and Connections
Financing
- Banking Institutions
- ED Programs
- BLAEDC Unified Fund
Sites and Facility Availability
- Existing Buildings
- Shovel Ready Sites
- Vacant Land
Workforce Development and Attraction Efforts
- Key Recruitment Program
- Spousal Placement
- Support of Community Workforce Efforts
EXECs Program
- Mentoring and Counseling
- Rent-A-Board
- Business Planning
Area Data and Marketing Info
- Demographics
- Video and Brochures
- Growth Trends
BLAEDC actively markets Crow Wing County as Greater Minnesota’s premier business location. By establishing relationships and developing networks, BLAEDC:
- Leads initiatives with economic development strategies and related action plans for the area.
- Collaborates to strategically promote and market the Brainerd Lakes Area through our vast network of partners.
- Identifies unique opportunities to grow our area.
Lend your support
Become involved in the health and vitality of the Brainerd Lakes Area by joining the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation. Learn more about our activities and accomplishments by reviewing our reports.
Community Partners
- Cuyuna Range Economic Development Inc. (CREDI)
- Crow Wing County
- Crow Wing County HRA
- Brainerd
- Baxter
- Crosslake
- Jenkins
- Nisswa
- Pequot Lakes