Take your business to the next level.

Recruitment Program
since 2017

Overview of the Recruitment Program
Fee-for-service program that’s available to all businesses in the Crow Wing County area. A program membership comes with workforce assistance and valuable marketing benefits. Looking to hire a key employee for your company in the Brainerd Lakes Area? BLAEDC has several resumes on hand that are actively looking for full time work.

Our Approach
At BLAEDC, our recruitment program, led by Mike Bjerkness, is designed to simplify the hiring process for businesses and connect candidates with executive-level positions in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Mike brings a personalized approach to recruitment, leveraging an extensive database of qualified candidates and a deep understanding of the local workforce. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity or hiring top-tier talent, our program offers tailored solutions to meet your needs.

Why Use Our Recruitment Services
Hiring the right executive-level talent can be challenging, especially when balancing your daily business operations. That’s where we step in. Our recruitment services are more than just filling positions — they’re about building connections that drive success for both businesses and professionals. We assist with spousal placement, helping families settle into the community, and offer workforce presentations to highlight the area’s lifestyle and opportunities

Need Help Hiring Executive Level Positions?
If your business is struggling to find the right candidate, or if you’re a professional seeking your next executive-level opportunity, we’re here to help. 

For Businesses: Contact Mike Bjerkness to discuss your hiring needs. He will guide you through the process and customize a recruitment plan that works for you.

For Job Seekers: If you don’t see a current position that fits your skills, let us know! Mike can add you to our recruiting list and connect you with future opportunities. Click here to go to our Job Portal.

Get Started
Contact Mike Bjerkness, Workforce Director, for more information on how to access the program.

Unified fund
Since 2017

What is the Unified Fund?
This program brings together money from different local, state, and federal sources, including TIF Funds, Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF), and RUS funds. All applicants, no matter the size or type of business, can apply for this program. Funding amounts range from $25,000 to $500,000, and loans can be paid back over 3 to 15 years. To qualify, businesses must provide collateral, personal guarantees, and some equity. However, the program does not fund working capital.

How It Supports Businesses
By partnering with local lenders and leveraging other financial tools, the BLAEDC Unified Fund plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and job creation throughout Crow Wing County. It acts as a supplementary financial tool to ensure a project can move forward when primary lenders cannot cover the full amount needed. Click here to view the BLAEDC Unified Fund information.

How to Access the Unified Fund
Connect with your local commercial lender to see if you’re eligible for the Unified fund. Businesses should inquire with their primary lender to see if the BLAEDC Unified Fund can assist with their project.

Get Started
Contact Tyler Glynn, Executive Director, for more information on how to access the program.

Business Consulting
Since 2022

How It Works
BLAEDC is a satellite site for the North Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC), dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners start, grow, and succeed. Through this partnership, we offer expert guidance from two experienced business consultants. Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, we are here to help you achieve your goals. The North Central SBDC is hosted by Central Lakes College in Brainerd providing training and no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the region.

Benefits
We provide no-cost, professional business consulting to help you analyze your business needs, develop strategies, and overcome challenges—all in a completely confidential setting. We also offer workshops and trainings throughout the year on essential business topics, including: starting a business, legacy planning, marketing, QuickBooks, and more. These sessions are typically held at the North Central SBDC host site, Central Lakes College.

These offerings complement BLAEDC’s commitment to fostering economic growth in the Brainerd Lakes Area, helping startups and established businesses thrive with personalized guidance and strategic support. If you are looking for help with a business idea, just getting started or have been in business for years, we can help your business succeed!

Get Started
Sign up here for no-cost business consulting services.

Placer.ai
Since 2025

What is Placer.ai?
BLAEDC has access to this powerful tool designed to help businesses like yours gain valuable insights into foot traffic, consumer behavior, and market trends. We now have access to real-time data and in-depth analytics that can empower you to make more informed decisions, optimize your strategies, and better understand your audience.

How It Works
Offered as a fee-for-service model with membership options, we can supply businesses with this data to understand visitor demographics, compare performance against competitors, and optimize site selection. We provide valuable insights to help your business or non-profit make informed, data-driven decisions based on real-world movement trends. Our role is to equip you with the necessary information, empowering you to make strategic choices that drive success.

Benefits
With foot traffic data, you can track the flow of visitors to your business location or event, as well as nearby areas, to better understand movement patterns and optimize your operations. Customer demographics provides a detailed understanding of your customer base, helping you tailor your offerings and marketing efforts to meet their needs. Additionally, market analysis keeps you ahead of the competition by offering insights into local market trends and consumer behavior, enabling you to make proactive and informed business decisions.

Get Started
Contact Alison Medeck, Special Initiatives Director, for more information on how to access foot traffic analytics.