BRAINERD LAKES AREA
re ss Edition g o r P B R A I N E R D
www.brainerddispatch.com
D I S P A T C H
L A B O R
D A Y
SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881
S P E C I A L
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
Lakes area feels
INCREASED ECONOMIC OPTIMISM REJUVENATED WEST BRAINERD CONTRIBUTES TO POSITIVE OUTLOOK By RENEE RICHARDSON Associate Editor
At Wendy’s, owner Bob Sullivan has both seen and been a part of changes along Washington Street. His restaurant, along with Burger King a few blocks west, went through major remodels last fall. He pointed to other activity nearby which is helping to reinvigorate the area. The construction of AutoZone, which opened in August just down the street from Sullivan’s restaurant, renovated a long-vacant corner that was once home to an aging and empty convenience store and cafe. A few blocks away across Washington Street from Walgreens, Dunkin’ Donuts will be building in the former service station most recently home to Gull Lake Glass. With all the economic activity and investment are jobs. Hiring signs are a common sight in manufacturing and service industries. “I think it’s going in the right direction,” Sullivan said of the economy. “ … You see a lot of new buildings.” Even as he is waiting for the now empty lot next to his restaurant to become a building site, Sullivan appreciates the green grass where the former Simonson Lumber building stood before the business relocated to Baxter and the building was torn down.
See OPTIMISM Page S2
Photo Illustration by Jan Finger • Brainerd Dispatch Photos by Kelly Humphrey • kelly.humphrey@brainerddispatch.com
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September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
www.brainerddispatch.com
BRAINERD FROM ABOVE
Kelly Humphrey • kelly.humphrey@brainerddispatch.com
OPTIMISM, From Page S1
It feels like the success is starting to roll and our community will be on a line for increased
“I feel good about the direction the economy is growing,” Sullivan said. Sheila Haverkamp, Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. executive director, and Chris Robinson, BLAEDC economic development officer, have both watched the changes in west Brainerd. Their newly renovated offices and those of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce are accessed from Highway 210 just west of the Mississippi River in the Tyrol Hills Shopping Mall near the remodeled Ace Hardware. “I think the westside has really rejuvenated itself,” Haverkamp said, noting the momentum is visible. She pointed to earlier work to construct a new Taco John’s restaurant on Highway 210 in Brainerd’s east side and even renovations at
McDonald’s. Even farther east, E & I Global Energy Services, electrical contractors, moved into the long vacant former ATEK manufacturing plant, breathing new life and jobs into a seemingly forgotten facility. In recent weeks, Royal Tire demolished its former building and secured development plans for tax-increment financing with the city of Brainerd to construct a new facility at the site. A smaller, more efficient building will be constructed at the same site on Highway 210 with green space and off-street parking. “It will be a nice catalyst for economic development and redevelopment near Sixth and Washington (streets),”
See OPTIMISM Page S3
growth in the area.
Thank you to both my outstanding employees and my patients for another great year!
We’d like to take a moment to thank our Staff and Patients for a wonderful year!
The working men and women who form the backbone of our economy have earned our admiration, respect and best wishes. We’re proud to salute them.
Happy Labor Day!
Enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day!
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SHEILA HAVERKAMP, BRAINERD LAKES AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeffrey E. Olson | Cassandra J. Spitzley | Sam C. Hennies | David M. Ude
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D r. J ac kie M c C all 7 8 7 0 E xcelsior R d., B axter Brainerd Office: 2 1 8 .8 2 8 .9 5 4 5 • 8 7 7 .3 3 8 .3 9 5 7 Staples Office: 2 1 8 .8 9 4 .5 4 8 0 • 8 6 6 .8 9 4 .5 4 5 5 Treatment of eye infections, injuries & glaucoma Consultations for laser and cataract surgery Eye exams • Contact lenses • Eye wear
“Serving our Members since 1940” 804 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-829-9065
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SERVING THE LAKES AREA FOR 30 YEARS!
(218) 829-4511
14213 Golf Course Dr. Suite 100 Baxter
(218) 568-5011
31052 Government Dr. Pequot Lakes
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SERVING THE AREA 58 Years
Holden Electric Co., Inc. a trusted name in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Excellence has been our standard through the years as we continue to offer trustworthy, quality service.
Supplier of steel, stainless steel & aluminum. “Complete Fabricating Services”
Thank You to our dedicated crew for your hard work, knowledge and abilities.
Thank you...
• Experienced and licensed electrical professionals • Established relationships with area building officials, contractors, suppliers and utilities • Extensive safety and awareness programs
to our past and current employees for their dedicated efforts and skills ...to our customer and business associates. ..and to our suppliers and vendors. Member of: IBEW Local 242 NECA since 1958 Lakes Chamber US Chamber of Commerce
• Joe • Lane • Dylan • Lucas • John • Jeff
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218.828.1256 www.lmsteel.com
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NEW LOCATION!
924 Thiesse Dr. (S. end of Brainerd Industrial Park) Brainerd, MN
218-829-4759
7669 College Road, Baxter tim@holdenelectric.com w w w. h o l d e n e l e c t r i c . c o m
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
www.brainerddispatch.com
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
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An artist’s rendering provides a look at the future Avantech building to be constructed in Baxter this fall and winter with a spring opening.
OPTIMISM, From Page S2 Robinson told the city council during a meeting in June. “It will eliminate a blighted building, create additional jobs and would also increase tax base in the city.” Haverkamp also noted the work to bring in new companies into spaces at the former Wausau Paper Mill in northeast Brainerd, now home to the Brainerd Industrial Center. She sees the momentum in the efforts on a variety of fronts to repurpose facilities, breathe new life into vacant structures or in tearing down blighted buildings to build new. Essentia Health was part of this trend with the transformation of the former Brainerd Area Civic Center. “It feels like the success is starting to roll and our com-
munity will be on a line for increased growth in the area,” Haverkamp said. Haverkamp and Robinson pointed to unique attributes of the community — Baxter and Brainerd and the surrounding lakes region — that set it apart from others. The new high-tech firm Gullview Technologies, which recently located in the Johnson Centre in Baxter, is one example of a company that could have located anywhere and it chose the lakes region, Robinson said. That draw and efforts in lakes area economic development are being recognized statewide as BLAEDC was given the opportunity to be part of a Department of Employment and Economic Development publication marketing the state to people who
select sites for business growth and expansion. The publication, with a multi-page Brainerd lakes area contribution, will be out in October. This month, BLAEDC will host a site selector who is attending a familiarization tour to promote the lakes region. “New construction is happening, which we haven’t seen in industrial/commercial in some time,” Haverkamp said. “It’s exciting to see those types of buildings being built. It’s been a long time coming.” Two examples at the top of Haverkamp’s list include FedEx and Avantech.
See OPTIMISM Page S4
A newly built Auto AutoZone auto parts store sits in the former Freelocations of the Free dom Service Station and West Side Cafe in Brainerd. Kelly Humphrey • kelly.humphrey@brainerddispatch.com
Happy Thank you to all our wonderful employees.
Restaurant
711 Washington Street, Brainerd 218-829-9297
Thank you Staff.
Pastor: David Uhrich Family Life Pastor: Richie Bean
Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day!
LABOR DAY Thank you to our customers for their continued support and thank you to our staff for their hard work during another busy season.
Laurie Hall 326 W. Laurel St.
“A Loving Church”
Brainerd, MN (3 blocks South of Walgreens)
“A Non-Denominational Fellowship of Believers”
828-0460
Call us for your Fall clean-up needs!
SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:00-9:55 AM – Sunday School for Children & Adults 10:00-10:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship 10:15-11:30 AM – Family Worship Service with Children’s Church Provided
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WEDNESDAY EVENING SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE 5:15 PM – Family Fellowship Supper 6:00-7:30 PM AWANA & Youth Group
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WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY & SAFE
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Wishing everyone a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!
24646 Hazelwood Drive, PO Box 627 • Nisswa, MN 56468 • Church 963-2626 • Day Care 963-1088 website: www.christcommunitychurchnisswa.com • email: christcommunitychurch@nisswa.net
P.0. Box 639, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
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218.568.4630
Complete Laser Services Permanent Make-Up 218-824-3041 Botox ~ Dermal Fillers botoxbylottie.com Skin Pen ~ Gift Certificates Practicing since 2001
Lottie Oehrlein RNC, BA
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Happy Happy Labor Labor Day! Day! The clean you expect. The service you deserve.
Serving The Lakes Area For Over 20 Years We take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our dedicated staff. You are the reason for our solid reputation. Bev Smith Laura Block Jake Immel Jake Scharber-Pikula Kyle Carner Dan Carner Tracy Carner Derek Kocak Susan Johnson John Morales
218.829.5137 • baxter.culliganman.com
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Thank you for your hard work and dedication this past year. It is because of you that we continue to thrive.
Bill Bailey
Janice Czech Matt Derry Molly Doble Estela Seidel Janine Kelling Laurie Tereau Marie Berg Tina Franzmeier Hope Anderson Audrey Martz
218-829-4076
Baxter Industrial Park
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Hey Culligan Man!
www.midmnba.org | (218) 829-4982
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September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
www.brainerddispatch.com
This property will allow us to expand as we go. We know there are great opportunities for interTom Haglin will soon be able to look out his second-floor window and see the design on his computer monitor take shape across the street as Avantech is constructed in Baxter near LINDAR, its sister company.
national growth. TOM HAGLIN
Renee Richardson • renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com
OPTIMISM, From Page S3 The cities of Baxter and Brainerd are both experiencing major additions to their respective industrial parks. Ground has already been broken for the new 54,000-square-foot FedEx sorting and distribution facility in Brainerd, just south of the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds. In Baxter, Avantech (formerly Lakeland Mold) is the subject of a new manufacturing facility going up next to its sister manufacturing company LINDAR. Tom Haglin, Avantech and LINDAR CEO, can look out his office window and across the street at grass and trees where Avantech’s building will be constructed. Plans are to have the concrete in place this fall, which will allow work to continue through the winter. It should be completed in March. “This property will allow us to expand as we go,” Haglin said of the land acquisition for Avantech. “We know there are great op-
portunities for international growth.” Not everything will move from Avantech’s leased Brainerd facility right away. Avantech employs about 85 and another 12 positions are expected to be added in the next two or three years. In total, taking both sister companies into consideration, the companies employ about 220. There are currently openings waiting to be filled. Both LINDAR and Avantech are experiencing 15 percent growth. Avantech is a leading manufacturer of cast and CNC (computer numerical control) aluminum tooling for the global rotational molding industry. Its sister company, LINDAR Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of plastic products using a thermoforming process. This year LINDAR will be Avantech’s third largest customer and next year it is expected to be the second largest. Phase two of Avantech’s move isn’t expected until the summer of 2017 after the
Renee Richardson • renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com
Greg Bergman, director of the Small Business Development Cen Center takes a break at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
s k n a h T
lease is up at its current site on Madison Street in Brainerd’s Industrial Park. Signs of growth and expansion can be seen in many parts of the area. Office buildings for McDermott Dental and Nystrom & Associates were completed in Baxter last year just off Isle Drive, which is being extended to Highway 48/Highland Scenic Drive. Extending Isle Drive is expected to create a new growth corridor and link the medical services now there with southern access to Highway 371. And SuperOne in Baxter invested in a major renovation of its store along with expansion into a liquor store. Along Highway 371, commercial construction is once again part of the landscape as the Aldi grocery store takes shape on bare land next to Target in Baxter. Aldi will employ about 10 workers. It has an opening date slated for December. For Haverkamp it’s all pointing to the lakes area potential, which BLAEDC utilizes in its efforts to attract new companies and jobs. Haverkamp and Robinson said there has been an increase in inquiries and interest in opportunities to settle here. “I think our area is positioned for growth,” Haverkamp said. Years ago, Sullivan said the feeling was the Highway 371 bypass would totally close downtown Brainerd. Sullivan said the bypass did have an effect but the situation seems to have stabilized. As for Highway 210, it flows — not unlike the Mississippi River it crosses — right through business districts, transporting customers and commerce fueling small business and big business and jobs. And, as Sullivan noted, it is still a very busy road. RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter. com/Dispatchbizbuzz.
A MILLION
We want you to shop with confidence, knowing that the quality and price you’ll pay are a true value on every item.
VALUE
We wish to thank all of our valued employees and customers.
PRODUCE
DELI
Our produce specialists oversee all Super One stores for quality and freshness. Standards are set high and not compromised. We work with companies that understand quality, companies like Dole, Green Giant and Chiquita. All of this leads to the number one reason shoppers trust Super One’s produce: they know it is high quality and reliably fresh.
We offer a full selection of sliced deli meats and over 60 varieties of cheeses - there is something for every taste and every occasion!
MEAT
BAKERY
Everything you buy from Super One Foods meat department is 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. We go to great measures and take pride in the quality and freshness of everything we offer for sale.
You’ll delight in tasting our freshly baked breads, rolls and desserts. We have the perfect selection for your everyday needs as well as your special occasion celebrations.
LIQUOR
We now offer a full line liquor store, Super One Liquor. Come for the SERVICE, Leave with the SAVINGS!
7895 Excelsior Rd., Baxter • 218-828-2160 | Liquor • 218-828-0256 www.superonefoods.com • www.superoneliquor.com
Supplying the Lakes Area with all your landscape and masonry needs!
We’d like to take a moment this Labor Day to thank all of our employees and the men and women who work hard to serve our community.
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!
QUALITY
Quality and Service Since 1909
218-829-9674 | www.wwthompson.com
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MAJOR ADDITIONS
Thank You To All Our Employees!
702 Industrial Park Road, Brainerd
Concrete Products and Masonry Supplies
• Keystone Retaining Walls • Borgert Paving Stones • Boulder Creek Stone Products • • Logix ICF • Concrete Block • Bag Cement • Euclid • Kraft Tools • Prosoco • Tamms • • TK Products • Tremco • W.R. Meadow • Legacy Staining •
W.W. Thompson Concrete Products Concrete Block
Borgert Paving Stones
301 N.W. 6th St., Brainerd | 829-4721 Property • Liability • Group Health IRAs Business Life • Disability Income
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Logix ICF
Boulder Creek Stone
HEALTH
www.brainerddispatch.com
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WELLNESS— A KEY PART OF CROW WING ENERGIZED’S COMMUNITY EFFORT
An effort to impact the health and wellness of the community gained momentum as the grass grassroots effort, Crow Wing Ener Energized, engaged more than 400 volunteers and businesses over the past year in key focus areas. The Healthy Choices goal group impacted healthy eating by training more than 40 day care providers on preparing healthy foods and supported farm to school programs throughout the community and, from an active living standpoint, Matter of Balance and National Diabetes Prevention Program classes have instructors trained in nearly every city and township of Crow
Wing County. The Mental Fitness goal group is sharing tools to build resiliency for every person and reduce the stigma of mental health. Workplace Wellness goal group has awarded more than a dozen grants to area employers to impact employee health. Crow Wing Energized is prioritizing its efforts based on impacting the results of a Crow Wing County Community Health Survey completed in November 2014. Go to CrowWingEnergized.org to learn more about this movement co-led by Essentia Health and Crow Wing County. To assist people in efforts toward healthier living, the Dispatch is publishing the Monday Motivator section each week with tips on handling stress, fitness, opportunities for activities in the region and better food choices. Information is included from re-
sults of the Crow Wing County Community Health Survey. The Monday Motivator section, aimed at starting the week off the right,
also incorporates weekly updates from Crow Wing Energized. Go to www.brainerddispatch.com for more information.
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It is our desire to be your printer.
Growing Quality Lives Together
Please contact us.
Steve - Press Operator Mike - Digital Press Operator / Proofreader Neil - Mailing Specialist Mona - Bindery Specialist Rick - Delivery / Bindery Dustan - Graphic Designer Becky - Graphic Designer Kayla - Bindery / Mailing Roger - Bindery / Press / Maintenance Dan - Graphic Designer
J&J Holmes
greatly appreciates the care and commitment our staff shows to our clients every day. They truly make a difference!
Phone: 218-829-7790 • Fax: 218-829-0977 www.lakesprinting.com
Come join our team.
DAY R O B A L Y P P HA
218-828-0083 8365 Brandon Road, Baxter, MN 56425 www.jandjholmes.com
Thank you…
TO OUR EMPLOYEES Thanks for a job well done.
Conveniently Located 1 Mile East of Hwy. 371 on the North Side of Hwy. 210, on Baxter Drive 218.828.1668 • www.thewestgatemall.com
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TO OUR CUSTOMERS Thanks for your patronage.
Everything you need. So close to home.
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Thank You And Happy Labor Day!
1223 Oak Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Edgewood Vista would like to extend their gratitude and a heart felt thank you to our staff for the dedication, teamwork & excellence in providing quality care to our residents. You are truly appreciated. MEMORY CARE
ASSITED LIVING
14890 Beaver Dam Road Brainerd MN 56401
218.828.3691
www.edgewoodseniorliving.com
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Kevin - Owner / Nice Guy Dode - Owner / Graphic Designer Cheri - CSR / Receptionist Lynn - CSR / Sales Sue - Digital Press Operator Jilene - Administrative Assistant / CSR Curt - Sales Robin - Purchasing / Order Entry Barb - Accounting Tom - Press Operator
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September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
LAKES AREA EMPLOYMENT
www.brainerddispatch.com
The HIRING LAMP is lit
IN THE LAKES AREA
By RENEE RICHARDSON Associate Editor
Hiring signs appear at nearly every turn in the lakes area, a major shift from a few years ago when more than 1,000 people would turn out for about 35 job openings. “With an average of 11,881 unemployed workers and 8,703 job vacancies in the fourth quarter of 2014, Northwest Minnesota had just 1.4 job seekers per vacancy, which is the tightest the labor market has been in the region,” stated the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development in a report this summer. “The number of job seekers per vacancy climbed to as high as 9.7 in the depths of the recession in 2009 and then dropped by half every two years after that.”
Cass and Crow Wing counties are considered part of the northwest region when the Department of Employment and Economic Development evaluates data, as is nearly every county in the region except for Aitkin County, which is grouped with the northeast sector. “Northwest Minnesota grew from 205,738 jobs in the third quarter of 2000 to a pre-recessionary peak of 217,454 jobs in the third quarter of 2007. By the third quarter of 2009, jobs had fallen back to 210,769. “Like the state as a whole, Northwest Minnesota regained all the jobs it lost by the third quarter of 2013. The region added another 2,723 jobs in the past year, reaching 220,983 jobs at 16,604 business establishments in the third quarter of 2014.” As of the fourth quarter of 2014, Region 5 — including Cass, Wadena, Crow Wing, Morrison and Todd counties — had 2,833 job openings across all industry sectors with a median wage offer of $10.95 an hour. Statewide there were 88,927 job vacancies with a median wage offer of $13.29 per hour. “Job growth was slower in the region than statewide during the recovery from 2009 to 2014, but Northwest Minnesota still has over 3,500 more jobs than before the recession and over 15,000 more jobs than in 2000. In fact, Northwest Minnesota added jobs faster than the state from 2000 to 2014,” DEED reported.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Tom Haglin, CEO at manufacturing companies LINDAR and Avantech, said experienced welders and CNC operators — or those employees working with computer-controlled equipment used to cut and shape metal and plastic in manufacturing — can earn $40,000 to $50,000 in short order. “I’m a huge proponent of the technical trades,” Haglin said. “We are so fortunate in this area to have Central Lakes College here.” Students, Haglin said, can get their general classes in and transfer, and others may find a technical trade or certificate program will provide them with a challenging, rewarding career without a mountain of school debt as well. “There is just a huge demand for those technical trades,” Haglin said. “We’re looking for that all the time.” If young people worry they will be doing the same things over and over again for a manufacturing job, Haglin said every day is different. Avantech is a leading manufacturer of cast and CNC aluminum tooling for the global rotational molding industry. Its sister company, LINDAR Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of plastic products using a thermoforming process. The employees taking product off automated machines are the first eyes for quality control, Haglin said. Workers use their problem-solving skills, creating products used in a variety of industries from agriculture to recreation and beyond.
See HIRING Page S7
Closed in Observance of Labor Day September 7th Pine River • Emily Pillager • Nowthen Breezy Point www.pineriverstatebank.com
Thank you to our wonderful employees and loyal patrons for making this a great summer!
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A Blast e v a H
Thank you to the staff at Holiday Inn Express.
15739 Audubon Way (Hwy 371) • Baxter, MN 56425
Happy Labor Day!
(218)824-3232 • www.brainerdhi.com
Salute!
To Our Employees -
Thanks For A Job Well Done!
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Thanks For Your Patronage!
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To our employees for another phenomenal year of team work and dedication.
To All Our Customers -
Baxter - Brainerd - Merrifield - Deerwood - Garrison - Staples - Nisswa - Pequot Lakes
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HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
10424 SQUAW POINT RD., EAST GULL LAKE l 218.829.3918 l WWW.ERNIESONGULL.COM
www.brainerddispatch.com
LAKES AREA EMPLOYMENT
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
S7
HIRING, From Page S6
Acapella Choir $4,000 Scholarships & Student of the Month $11,300 Elks National Foundation Scholarship awards to area youths $24,000 Dinners & Twins game to Central Lakes College Veterans $4,000 Meals to The SHOP drop-ins $2,500 Educational materials to VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic $1,200 St. Cloud Veterans Hospital Bingo $1,100 BYAA Football 4th & 5th Grades $200 BAHA Hockey $100 A personal Dictionary to each 3rd Grader in our Region $2,500 Area High Schools for Grad Blasts $250 And more...
can make the dream of being their own boss come true. They are also seeing what Bergman described as an encore entrepreneur, people who are looking for second careers. These older and often more financially established people can find it easier to start a business and have a good chance of success, Bergman said, noting they can take more time to let the business grow before they need it to provide them with a substantial income. Food service, restaurants and hotels remain strong interests for entrepreneurs. Another strong area is in small manufacturing like a welding shop or a small machine shop. “Which has kind of surprised me a little bit,” Bergman said. “I think people see the opportunity and the markets they can get into and they want to work for themselves.” For the inventors, the challenge may be in separating themselves from the pack of competitors, particularly those who are established. Fifty percent of those business startups are no longer in business after five years, but Bergman said those statistics do not mean all those businesses failed. They may have been sold or served their purpose as the owner moved on to another, better opportunity. While the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, it took much longer to be felt in many areas. “We didn’t see a rapid recovery,” Bergman said. “And there are still pockets, areas that are kind of struggling along
See HIRING Page S8
Thank You!
We wish to thank all who make Geritol Frolics such a success! ‘15
Enjohyow! the s
Volunteers, Advertisers, Performers and Attendees!
Performance Dates & Times October 15, 17 and 24 • 7:00 pm October 16, 18, 22, 23 and 25 • 2:30 pm
TICKETS are $15.00 for general seating and $17.00 for premium which is the entire center section. (see the seating chart at geritolfrolics.com) Ticket sales will begin on September 14 and can be purchased at the Box Office or by calling 218-825-4993. Box Office hours are Mon. thru Fri. 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 Making Memories for Youth & Veterans in 2015
layoffs that were formerly part of the Lakeland Mold operation. They also strive to be family friendly so parents, for example, are able to attend a child’s program and be flexible with their hours. “I’m a firm believer family comes first,” Haglin said. At the Small Business DevelDevel opment Center at Central Lakes College, Director Greg Bergman works with established small business owners or entrepreneurs who are just starting businesses. The SBDC provides assisassis tance with advisers, free business consulting and low-cost training. The offerings include help developing a busibusi ness plan, manufacturing assistance, financial packaging and lending assistance, exporting and importing support, health care guidance, and even disaster recovery assisassis tance, among other services. In recent years, Bergman said they saw a fair share of people who were starting a business because they were struggling to find a job. Now he said they are looking to start their own business bebe cause they see an opportunity in the market and want to see if they
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Haglin said even as the ag market has softened, diversifi diversifi-cation means they are still busy because they no longer dedepend on one industry for the lion’s share of their work, and he feels better today than three years ago because of the effort to diversify the customer base. “Northwest Minnesota’s economy has stayed strong because several sectors have displayed remarkable resiliency,” DEED reported. “Health care and social assistance, which is the largest industry in the region with 36,743 jobs, actually gained more jobs during the recession than in the recovery. The sector added more than 1,800 jobs from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2014. “Despite losing more than 4,000 jobs during the recession, manufacturing is still the second-largest employing industry in the region with 28,967 jobs at 824 firms. The sector has regained almost 3,350 jobs since 2009. Manufacturers in Northwest Minnesota now have surpassed 97.6 percent of their 2007 employment level, compared with just 91.6 percent in Minnesota. “The region’s large retail trade and leisure and hospitality industries still haven’t fully recovered from the effects of consumers cutting back during the recession, although the accommodation and food services and the arts, entertainment and recreation sectors did add jobs in the past five years.” Haglin said they aren’t worried about being able to find the workforce they need to continue their steady growth. They do a lot of training in house and invest in their employees. Haglin, like others, said being flexible is critical. They’ve recently talked for the first time about adding part-time positions with benefits. Haglin said there may be good workers, perhaps semi-retired, out there who are looking to supplement their income at 15 to 25 hours a week. The company is willing to be more flexible to tap into those talents. Haglin said in return the companies offer stability. At Avantech they are working to curb the seasonal
What a Workforce!
THANK YOU TO OUR BRAINERD AND PARK RAPIDS EMPLOYEES!
We salute the hardworking Americans who keep our country moving forward with their dedication, determination and innovation.
Happy Labor Day!
We Salute Our Staff!
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Good Neighbor Home Health Care is one of the largest companies in the Brainerd Lakes Area because of dedicated and committed employees, many of whom have been with the company since its inception 30 years ago. Good Neighbor couldn't have grown like it did without the professionalism, compassion and skills that our workers bring to the job every day while providing nursing care and homemaker and companion services to our clients. We're proud of our staff members and thank them for their loyalty to Good Neighbor Home Health Care.
LOOKING FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES? CONTACT ONE OF OUR OFFICES AT: BRAINERD - 218-824-9675 | HACKENSACK - 218-675-5661 PARK RAPIDS - 218-732-2156 | WADENA - 218-632-9675 HOURS: M - F | 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(218) 829-9238 | (888) 221-5785 www.gnhomecare.com
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We’ll be there.
Website: ercstaffing.com | JOBSblog: ercjobsblog.com Email: info@ercstaffing.com
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September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
LAKES AREA EMPLOYMENT
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Top 20 Occupations in Demand by rank in Region 5 JOB TITLE
MEDIAN ANNUAL WAGE
NURSING ASSISTANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . LICENCED PRACTICAL AND LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSES RETAIL SALESPERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CASHIERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REGISTERED NURSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STOCK CLERKS/ORDER FILLERS . . . . . . . . . . . . CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES . . . . . . . . . SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICE ASSISTANTS . . . . . . . FIRST-LINE SUPERVISORS OF RETAIL SALES WORKERS . . . PACKAGING AND FILLING MACHINE OPERATORS . . . . . BOOKKEEPING, ACCOUNTING, AUDITING CLERKS . . . . FOOD PREP/SERVING WORKERS . . . . . . . . . . . . SLAUGHTERERS AND MEAT PACKERS P . . . . . . . . . . MACHINISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOME HEALTH AIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIGHT TRUCK/DELIVERY DRIVERS . . . . . . . . . . . LOAN OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HEAVY TRUCK/SEMITRAILER DELIVERY SERVICES DRIVERS. . SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, EXCEPT SPECIAL CARE . .
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.$25,761 . . . . .$20,233 . . . . .$38,674 . . . . .$20,135 . . . . .$19,490 . . . . .$68,538 . . . . .$20,255 . . . . .$36,469 . . . . .$29,731 . . . . .$34,946 . . . . .$28,986 . . . . .$33,668 . . . . .$18,130 . . . . .$27,909 (MN) . .$36,449 . . . . .$23,244 . . . . .$29,159 . . . . .$70,534 $70,534 . . . . .$36,283 . . . . .$55,552 . . . .
PROJECTED GROWTH OUTLOOK
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. . Not available . . Well above average . Above average. . . Above average. . . Below average . . . . Not available . . Well below average . . . Average . . . Well above average . . . Average . . . . Below average . . . . . Average . . . . . . Average . . . . . . Average . . . Well above average Well above average . Above average. . . . . Average . . . Well above average Well below average
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PROJECTED OPENINGS
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. . . . . 910 . . . . 1,870 . . . . . 990 . . . . 3,270 . . . . 2,720 . . . . 1,330 . . . . . 810 . . . . . 670 . . . . . 700 . . . . . 710 . . . . . 130 . . . . . 630 . . . . 2,410 Not available . . . . . 370 . . . . 1,420 . . . . . 260 . . . . . 120 . . . . 1,000 . . . . . 420
HIRING, From Page S7 a little bit.” Newer trends include the addition of the microbrewery — a combination of manufacturer, retail and tourism. Bergman said it’s industrial tourism and becoming more popular, as is work filling a small, specialty niche. Health care professionals are also starting their own practices, with physical therapy and home health care among the more expected dental and clinic offices. Bergman said that has increased from five years ago. “We’ve seen some IT (information technology) related business as well,” Bergman said, noting every now and then one of those home-based startups hits a vein and grows into a large company such as Hunt Technologies. Bergman said people are feeling more confident in leaving a job to pursue a startup than a few years ago, knowing they can get back into the job market if needed down the road. Bergman said clients are now getting a little more financing, but he expects financing will continue to be a challenge as lending has changed for the long term in the wake of the recession. Prior to the recession, overall the clients the SBDC worked with were getting an average of $25 million
per year in financing. In 2010, the financing for clients dropped to $7 million. In 2014, it was back to $14.5 million. “I think we are continuing to see that increase,” Bergman said. “Right now there are great opportunities for business people.” With the Brainerd Micropolitan unemployment at 4.9 percent for July, which some consider basically full employment, there are numerous job opportunities out there currently. Yet Bergman said there are a lot of jobs but some still find it hard to find jobs with a living wage. Brainerd’s jobless rate was 8.1 percent in July. But if Brainerd and Baxter populations were combined as a single city, instead of the major commerce and large retail employers on one side and the greater population on the other side with employees at those establishments finding more affordable living, it’s hard not to argue the numbers are difficult to pin down for a realistic picture. As businesses have to look for skilled and reliable employees, Bergman said being flexible will be a key as will offering a welcoming work atmosphere. “Those types of things can help attract a person to a
smaller business,” he said. Another consideration as baby boomers age is planning for the company’s future. Preparing baby boomers for strategies as they transition out of business and into retirement is something the SBDC is working on with a program called Business Transitions. “It’s something we’ve just put a lot of effort into recently,” Bergman said. As for the future, Bergman said: “I think our economy is strong and getting stronger. … Not at the pace as before but it’s getting stronger.” An asset in growth as employees now have options to choose where they want to work is the lakes area itself. “The Brainerd lakes area is attractive for people and attractive to those who have skills,” Bergman said noting the effort going forward will again perch the area on the balance between growth and preserving the environment that makes people want to live and work here. RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz.
Advertorial
Waste Partners attributes business growth to dedicated employees By JODIE TWEED
Thanks to all our employees for their hard work and dedication over the years. Have a safe Labor Day.
• Family Owned & Operated • Experienced, Safe & Knowlegeable Staff • Clean, Well-Maintained Equipment • Active Involvment in Area Community Organizations & Events • Recycling Service Available in Many Locations
Residential Garbage Collection & Commercial Waste Collection
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with the best equipment and support available,” he said. Loge admitted that he is oldschool in his management style and has high expectations of his crew. “We start early, work as a team, and don’t mind getting our hands dirty. We also don’t ask our people to do anything we wouldn’t do ourselves,” he said. Loge said the garbage hauling business is also a dangerous one. It’s one of the top fatality industries in the country. He asked that motorists keep this in mind when they see a garbage truck. “People tend to think we’re in the way, but they forget we have to be there to do our job,” he explained. “The roads and alleyways are our office.” However, the job isn’t all hard work and does have its benefits. Most of the jobs are quite physical so a side benefit is that you can remain fairly healthy and active as you age and may not tire as easily. This is also a good industry for family. Since they start early, the drivers are typically done soon enough to catch their kids’ games or programs. And since they live in one of the greatest recreation areas in the state, they get to enjoy the evenings and weekends. Waste Partners provides residential and commercial garbage service throughout the Brainerd lakes area, including the cities of Backus, Baxter, Brainerd, Breezy Point, Crosslake, East Gull Lake, Fifty Lakes, Fort Ripley, Hackensack, Jenkins, Lake Shore, Leader, Manhattan Beach, Merrifield, Mission, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Pillager, Pine Center, Pine River, and St Mathias. Waste Partners is also active in various community organizations and events, and their employees and their families often participate in local activities. For more information check out their website at www.wastepartnersinc.com.
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Father and son, Gary and Eric Loge, started Waste Partners 15 years ago by buying a company with about 700 customers. Today the familyowned garbage removal company has nearly 10,000 customers throughout the Brainerd lakes area and continues to grow. They claim this success is a great testament to the job their crew performs every day and that job is not always so simple. “I hire rugged individualists,” Loge said, of his garbage haulers. They have to do their job quickly, efficiently and safely, and do so with little to no supervision. When hiring someone new he tells them they only have to do three things and they will have taken care of 85 percent of the job. “They have to show up on time every day, make the garbage disappear and do the first two things without running into anything,” Loge added. “It may sound simple, but we have about a 30 percent attrition rate in the first 90 days. If they make it past the ‘deer in the headlight phase’ they tend to stick around.” Picking up garbage from customers is not something that can be put off until the next day. That’s how you lose customers. “In 34 years, I have never not completed my scheduled routes,” said Loge, who bought his father out from his share of the business in 2007. “Besides, with our drivers running 10-plus hour routes, there is no way to make up a lost day. If a driver calls in sick, or if a truck breaks down, or if there is adverse weather, someone still has to do the work. It’s not like most jobs where it can be delayed. Customers sometimes start calling if we get even a little behind because we are typically very predictable.” Loge said the key to retaining his team members is to hire people who actually want to do this work and then treat them the best you can in every way. “We work hard to provide our people
866-602-8727 Toll Free • 218-824-8727 Brainerd Area 218-587-8727 Pine River Area • 218-692-8727 Crosslake Area See us at: www.wastepartnersinc.com
BRAINERD LAKES AREA
re ss Edition g o r P B R A I N E R D
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D I S P A T C H
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SERVING THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA SINCE 1881
S P E C I A L
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
GULLVIEW TECHNOLOGIES offers HIGH-TECH JOBS without the commute Bill Wolff, CEO and co-founder of Gullview Technologies with his
By RENEE RICHARDSON Associate Editor
dog Cooper, at the company’s new offices in the Johnson Centre in Baxter. Wolff said they are waiting until the staff members are settled in to get their input on what they are looking for in the work space em to make it more appealing for employees. They are starting on the second floor of the office build building with plans to grow into the entire building, known as Johnson Building Two (photo below) in the
CALL IT RURAL OUTSOURCING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO KEEP JOBS IN
Johnson Centre in Baxter. Photos by Steve Kohls • steve.kohls@brainerddispatch.com
BAXTER — Flexibility and employee engage engagement are key ingredients in a new high-tech company in Baxter. Gullview Technologies, a company with an emphasis on a work-life balance and providing good-paying jobs out outside the metro area, recently opened in the Johnson Centre in Baxter. Ross Graba, president, and Bill Wolff, CEO, are the partners behind Gullview Technologies. Wolff has been running technology companies, public and startup, for the past 30 years in the Twin Cities area. A majority of the companies were software based. The two men have a vision of combining the ability to earn good wages in a software or technology job and live in a rural area where the commute time actually resembles the distance in miles from the workplace. In doing so, Graba said they are solving a problem for businesses looking for stability and reduced turnover. “The problem we are solving for those businesses is people are here because they want to be here, they have an appreciation for what the Brainerd lakes area has to offer here,” Graba said. “What is lacking in some cases is that technical job they’ve chosen, like myself, to pursue. What we are doing with Gullview is bringing those jobs here instead of taking the people to the work. ... We have the philosophy — let’s bring that work back here.” The company offers to be an outsource of information technology in the Midwest. Call it rural outsourcing. “The idea is to keep jobs in America and, better yet, to bring those jobs to rural Amer America, where people really enjoy the lifestyle,
enjoy what we have to offer as a community,” Wolff said. “And to bring the higher paying jobs to the community as well.” It’s a model the partnership has done before. The Brainerd lakes area, they said, has even more to offer to make this venture successful, including options for jobs for a spouse, outdoor activities, a non-metro lifestyle with plenty of shopping variety and yet close proximity to the Twin Cities for other events. This summer, Bill Wolff and his wife, Denise Wolff, office manager, set up the offices with everything from paper clips to coffeemakers and kitchen appliances for the breakroom. They painted walls themselves, bringing their two dogs, Cooper and Bo, with them. Recently, Wolff sat in his office with 11-year-old Cooper at his side and took a break to give a tour of the facility and an inside view of the plan going forward. A statue of a seagull was stationed near one of his office windows, a gift from his wife. The business name actually came from the association where they live and captured an iconic image of the lakes area summer with the gull. Outside the corner office, the second floor space, energized with bold colors in lime green and purple, was taking shape to serve as the company’s startup in the lakes area. The two-story office building was constructed in the mid 1990s. The office building has been empty for several years. Wolff envisions expanding into the entire two-story building space in the future and gutting areas to create a more welcoming work space.
THE
U.S.
WORK CULTURE Consideration of a work-life balance for employees is a mainstay of Gullview Technologies. The mantra is faith and family first. Wolff said they plan to wait to renovate the rest of the second floor until they can engage employees in the planning. Do they want high-walled cubes, short walls, or more open areas for work stations? A lounge area was left open until the staff could decide if a ping pong or pool table was wanted, to give them a place to take a real break from the work. “I want to get everyone here and working and then let’s decide as a group and get everything organized,” Wolff said. “It’s a younger generation we are bringing on board. It’s important we hear them and what they want in a work environment.” Getting the work atmosphere right is a priority. And it’s something Wolff has extensive experience in both from his own companies and as a consultant to others for about three decades. He said employees are looking for the healthy balance between their job and home life. Not surprising after the turbulent economy of the recession, they are looking for stability in a company so they can focus on the job and not worry about whether they’ll be employed next week. Wolff said what people are looking for does vary from generation to generation but people are looking for a de-stressed lifestyle. The first 11 employees were not yet onsite as they were undergoing training in the Twin Cities. Most are from the lakes area. Wolff said that was ex expected with the first hires and in the future they expect to draw people from outside the area to relocate here.
See GULLVIEW Page S10
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September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
TECHNOLOGY
& LIFESTYLE
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GULLVIEW, From Page S9 A trend with the first hires came with people who spent a decade at one business but wanted to be part of starting something new. “We offer an opportunity for growth and for something different,” Wolff said. “They really want to experience something from the bottom up, to be part of the excitement of growing a company and we want to share all of this with employees.” One of the reasons to locate here, Wolff said, was a lack of competition for the high-tech jobs they are offering. For employees at an established company with many years of service, Wolff said they can feel as though the company sees them as just another worker instead of being part of something greater. The goal is to bring in a diversified client base. The first customer is a manufacturing company. Wolff sees potential in both the medical industry and software industry. Plans are to hire 30 people in the early go-around. But both Graba and Wolff believe the job potential is much greater than that once they get started. “Our goal is to fill this building up whether that’s 70, 80 to 100 people,” Wolff said. “That’s what we are dreaming of and that’s what we are striving for.” He added they truly believe in the motto to work hard and play hard and this community provides a lot of options for recreation. So what sets them apart from competitors nationally? “What sets us apart is our culture and what we focus on in faith, family and job — in that order,” Wolff said. Explaining the lakes area to attract those outside the region is easy, Wolff said. He pointed to the video and information on the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. website as presenting the community well. Wolff said the area is appealing across the country. Imagine living in Denver, he said, and the lakes area offers a lot of what people want in their lifestyle and a high-tech job with growth opportunities. “Our goal is to be the destination IT company and the company people want to strive to work for and the way to do that is to be the best at what we do and to be known as a company that offers the most to its employees and is a place of fun and a place people look at and admire and want to be part of.” He said the company also wants to present itself as a place where employee growth is encouraged. “I think that’s a different flavor than what others have to offer,” Wolff said. Denise Wolff said they are excited for the opportunity and found great people already for the early hires with talented people already in the community who wanted to be part of the startup.
u o Y k n a h T
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T o our E m ployees and C lients for B eing t he B uilding B locks of our B usiness.
Commercial and Residential Construction w w w. hy t e c c o n s t r u c t i o n . c o m ( 2 1 8 ) 8 2 9 - 8 5 2 9 • B R A I N E R D, M N
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
READY FOR GROWTH
Employee engagement isn’t just a current buzz word, but paves the way to even double productivity, Wolff said. He noted a Gallup poll, which showed Minnesota as having one of the lowest rankings for employee engagement. The poll, done in 2013 and 2014, found the District of Columbia, New York, Minnesota and Connecticut had the lowest employee engagement in the nation. The highest? Montana. Engaging employees means getting them involved in decisions, listening to input and acting on it so they look forward to coming to work, so they want to do a good job and productivity soars, Wolff said. The recession took a toll on that employee relationship and now employers have to build trust again, Wolff said.
F Y OR
OUR
I
NFO
Gullview Technologies • Location: Johnson Centre, Baxter. • Employees: About a dozen. • Fun fact: The company has a vision to fill their two-story office building with employees and are waiting to fully renovate the space until they can get employee input on what it should look like.
With a customer already in place, Gullview Technologies will provide software program development and a technical help desk. Wolff said the ability to have fiber optics was extremely important in locating in the lakes area and in the offices. With clients needing security and assurance for backup systems, fiber provided just what was needed. A generator provides additional security for power outages. Wolff said Consolidated Telecommunications Company, Riverwood Bank and Suite Spaces went above and beyond to help them get off the ground. He expected a small community to welcome jobs and business as a client, but the effort by the community and other businesses went beyond that to the point he really felt they were invested in seeing Gullview succeed. He said it made it a delight to get up and running. “I guess it’s the level of care that is surprising to me,” Wolff said. “People just really care and they want to go above and beyond to make sure we are really happy. That was not expected. I knew — because I’ve done this in smaller communities and everyone is hungry to have you up and running — I know that, but the level of service has been the surprise.” “It’s all come together so well,” Wolff said. “Coming from the Cities where I’ve had to kind of plow through this stuff and to vendors I’m just another customer. Here I’m treated really special. I think that makes a difference and one of the reasons I bring this up, I want other businesses to recognize what it’s like to open a business here. It’s great. You get the service. You get the people who care. It’s been really wonderful to work with them. ... “I highly encourage anyone who is looking in the area to come here. You have everything you need, you really do. A great community.” RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www. twitter.com/Dispatchbizbuzz.RENEE RICHARDSON, associate editor, may be reached at 218-855-5852 or renee.richardson@ brainerddispatch.com. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ Dispatchbizbuzz.
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
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S11
Advertorial
Essentia Health employees honor six of their own By JODIE TWEED
Dr. Peter Henry also credited his team, especially his colleagues in the Emergency Department, for receiving the Respect Award. Henry has worked at the hospital for more than 17 years, mostly as an Emergency Department physician. One of his colleagues wrote, “Dr. Henry treats all people he interacts with dignity and respect. Patients and families are dealt with in a respectful manner by communication to them in a way they can understand and relate. All co-workers are respected regardless of their position within the organization. He holds everyone accountable for their actions and behaviors, and addresses staff not acting appropriately in a respectful way while making sure they understand the expectations. He is a breath of fresh air with his passion for doing what is right.” “I was very honored to be recognized by my coworkers for a value that I find to be very important,” Henry said. “This is a good place to work. I do really think the values of our organization apply not only to our patients, but to our coworkers. I would hope that everyone would want to work in a place where they felt respected, no matter what job they have and what department they work in.” Jan Herda, Physician Office Lab Specialist, oversees the lab work at Essentia Health’s five satellite clinics and acts as a technical consultant for three other clinics. She has worked at Essentia Health for nearly 14 years. Herda said she felt honored to receive the Quality Award since quality control is a huge aspect of her job. “I do work really hard to produce the best little labs that they can be, and I take pride in that, and somebody else recognized that and thought enough of me to nominate me,” Herda explained. “So often you do your job and you’re working really hard at doing it, you don’t give much thought to the fact that someone else might be thinking you did a great job.” Sue Hadland, OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner, has worked at Essentia Health for 13 years. She was awarded the Justice Award. One of her coworkers wrote this about Hadland, “Recently, Sue participated in a Susan G. Komen event, providing exams and pap smears to homeless women in the area. Sue also volunteers at her church, doing overnight stays, feeding homeless families in the community.” Another colleague wrote, “Sue Hadland participates in the care of women of all walks of life, treating them with dignity and being an advocate for the underserved.” Hadland said she was honored to be appreciated by her peers. “I feel like the most fortunate person around,” said Hadland. “I get to talk to people about what’s important to them. People trust me and that’s a huge honor and a huge responsibility that I take very seriously. I really try to make sure I treat everyone, my patients and my coworkers, fairly and with respect. Justice is really another term for fairness. We must be fair to people. We have to be open to them as healthcare providers and learn from both the good things that happen to us and the criticisms we get. If we can continue to remember that, we can learn from every experience.” Essentia Health’s employee committee is now in the process of selecting this year’s six recipients who will be honored at an employee recognition banquet held in October. 001290818r1
Essentia Health employees have honored their peers for exemplifying the Brainerd health care system’s six Benedictine values. The awards are given each year to employees who are nominated by their colleagues. An employee committee, which includes past award recipients, selected award recipients from nominations made by other staff members. The awards are based on six Benedictine values: teamwork, hospitality, stewardship, respect, quality and justice. Essentia Health has 1,300 employees who live and work in the Brainerd lakes area. Recipients during the past year include April Mohrenweiser, Brainerd Lakes Heart and Vascular Center, who received the Teamwork Award; Joe Cutkay, Nutrition Services, who received the Hospitality Award; Cheryl Hoskins, Fiscal Services, who received the Stewardship Award; Dr. Peter Henry, Chief Medical Officer, who received the Respect Award; Jan Herda, Clinic Lab, who received the Quality Award; and Sue Hadland, OB/ GYN Nurse Practitioner, who received the Justice Award. April Mohrenweiser is the lead cardiovascular exercise nurse at the Brainerd Lakes Heart and Vascular Center. She has worked at Essentia Health since 2007. A colleague of hers wrote on her nomination form, “April makes staff feel important. She finds the best in all of us. Appreciative to staff who assist at busy times, she always says, ‘Thank you!.’” “It was a very nice honor,” said Mohrenweiser. “I’ve said this before, but it’s easy to be part of a good team. I enjoy the people I work with and the patients, especially. I like the challenges of putting a patient at ease and helping them through a stressful time.” Joe Cutkay has worked as a prep cook in the hospital cafeteria for more than five years. He works alongside his father, Jim Cutkay, head retail cook, who received the Stewardship Award the year before. One of Cutkay’s coworkers who nominated him noted, “Joe greets everyone with a smile, is always upbeat and adds light to our day. If we request a dish in a specific way (e.g. No onions, extra sauce), he always smiles and is more than happy to accommodate us. He knows our names, our likes and dislikes.” “It was a great honor to be noticed for exemplifying those values,” said Cutkay. “I think in a hospital, everybody should be in a good mood. It’s kind of our duty to have a good attitude and pick people up and share the smiles. And it’s so cool to work with my dad; it’s kind of a double bonus. A lot of people don’t get to see their dad and I get to work with him Monday through Friday.” Cheryl Hoskins has worked for Essentia Health for 13 years and serves as finance manager. She received the Stewardship Award. One of her coworkers wrote, “Cheryl is the go-to person within Fiscal Services for both department staff and non-departmental staff. Welcoming and warm to everyone she encounters, Cheryl embraces and practices each of our core values every day.” “It was very touching,” Hoskins said of receiving the Stewardship Award. “There are so many people deserving of the award. In our department we all value stewardship, it’s really a team award. You can’t do it without your team.”
April Mohrenweiser, Lead Cardiovascular Exercise RN
QUALITY
HOSPITALITY
Joe Cutkay, Cook
Cheryl Hoskins, Finance Manager
Dr. Peter Henry Chief Medical Officer
Jan Herda, Lab Specialist
1,321 EMPLOYEES 266 VOLUNTEERS 6 SHARED VALUES Our values guide everything we do. At Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Clinics, we have great employees and volunteers that are here each day to make a healthy difference in the lives
Sue Hadland, OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner
JUSTICE
STEWARDSHIP
of individuals, families and our community. In doing so we share a common set of values — Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Justice, Stewardship, and Teamwork. These values guide the ways we’re here with you, providing a deeper kind of care for everything that’s essential to your health.
RESPECT
TEAMWORK EssentiaHealth.org
S12
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
www.brainerddispatch.com Advertorial
Cub Foods expands, opens new store in Alexandria By JODIE TWEED
Alexandria - Cub Foods Inset Picture on Left: Chris Quisberg, Alexandria Cub Foods store owner, and Steve Daoust, Alexandria Cub Foods store director, are happy to cut the ribbon to officially become the new Cub Foods to the Alexandria lakes area. The store is located at 2612 South Broadway. (Shelly Beaulieu | Echo Press)
Cub Foods, your Brainerd lakes area neighborhood grocery store since 1985, had added a new grocery store into its family-owned business. Chris Quisberg, a third-generation grocer and company president, said the company last November purchased Alexandria County Market, opening it on Memorial Day weekend as a Cub Foods store. The Quisberg family now owns and operates four grocery stores and two convenience stores: Cub Foods in Brainerd, Baxter and Alexandria; SuperValu in Pequot Lakes; and two Holiday gas stations, located in northeast Brainerd and Crosslake. Their company has about 365 seasonal, full- and part-time employees at all their stores. Unlike many locally-owned private businesses, grocery store employees in Brainerd, Baxter and Pequot Lakes are members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local No. 653. Both partand full-time employees qualify for health insurance, vacation, paid holidays off and a pension. Quisberg said his stores have experienced a great summer this year, except for two weeks following the July 12 storm and its aftermath. “Our summer traffic numbers have been really good,” said Quisberg. “The fourth of July was one of our better weeks we’ve ever had.” If you’ve stopped in to buy groceries at SuperValu in Pequot Lakes, you may have noticed a new aisle filled with fishing,
Brainerd - Cub Foods camping and other outdoor gear, products from Bass Pro Shops. Quisberg said he volunteered the Pequot Lakes store as a test store for SuperValu, the first store in Minnesota, to carry Bass Pro Shops products. The products offered will be rotated with the seasons and may include hunting apparel in the fall and ice fishing gear in the winter. “Our clientele are ‘Up North’ people, and it fits them very well,” Quisberg said. “Our store is the first store in Minnesota to carry their products but there will be more to come.” Cub Foods customers may have noticed the stores are continuing to go through rounds of price cuts as they slash thousands of permanent prices throughout each of their Cub Foods stores. Back in 1985, Sherm and Steve Quisberg sold their chain of seven Twin Cities-based grocery stores, and the father-son partners decided to purchase two grocery stores, one in Duluth and one in Brainerd, the former County Market. While Sherm decided to run the SuperValu in Duluth, Steve took over operations at the northeast Brainerd store. As the Quisbergs planted their own family roots in the Brainerd lakes area, so did their business within the community. Today the third-generation grocers include all three Quisberg sons, Chris, David and Peter. Baxter County Market opened in 1991, which changed to Cub Foods in 1999. The Brainerd store became Cub Foods in 2002. In 2000, the Duluth grocery store was sold.
Pequot Lakes - SUPERVALU
SuperValu in Pequot Lakes was built new in 2010. Bryan Jelinski, Brainerd Cub Foods store director who joined the store in 1985, said the grocery store operation has retained a loyal and steady workforce, in part, because of the strong relationship between management, employees and Local No. 653. “I’m blessed to have the staff that I have. I’m so proud of the work that they do on a daily basis. They make my life so much easier. We have seasoned professionals working in this industry,” Jelinski said. “We have department managers who have over 30 years of experience. It’s cool to watch these young kids grow up and mature and take on added responsibilities. We’re very fortunate.” Chris Quisberg, company president, said he and his family are grateful to their many employees who serve their customers. “Memorial Day to Labor Day, it’s out of control,” said Quisberg. “And then you can breathe again after Labor Day. We want to thank our employees for all their hard work and dedication.” The Quisberg family’s roots in this community run deep. They have made a commitment to helping area organizations raise funds by selling brats outside their stores and by bagging groceries for tips. During the 13 weeks of summer, most groups average about $500-$600 in profits during brat sales. Twenty-six organizations between both Cub Foods locations are able to raise funds each summer.
“We feel very strongly that we are a pillar in the community, and that’s what you get from being an independently-owned and operated business,” Jelinski explained. “We’re here to support and reinvest in the community wherever we can. A strong, healthy community is built around good businesses, good churches, good schools, and the rest just falls together. We are involved in the community we serve.” Quisberg said the independently-owned grocery store chain has faced tough competition, not only to fill its labor force but also for retail grocery sales. “We’re competing in a very competitive market, but that is nothing new,” explained Jelinski. “We have stayed competitive and on top of our game, and we have made changes where they needed to be. You have to stay on top of the market trends.” The Quisberg Family strives to provide the freshest produce, meats and other products for its customers. They have skilled bakers on staff who make their bakery goods from scratch, and butchers who cut and package meat, providing customers with the specialty cuts they need. Produce is delivered six days a week to ensure freshness. It is this attention to detail and customer service by employees that keeps the businesses thriving, even during the less busy winter months. Quisberg thanked his employees and customers for their company’s 30 years of growth in the Brainerd lakes area.
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Baxter - Cub Foods
September 3, 2015 • September 7, 2015
www.brainerddispatch.com
To our employees & customers.
Thank You
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For making Cub Foods the grocery store of choice in the Brainerd Lakes Area!
Brainerd • Baxter — OPEN 24 HOURS —
Better Fresh, Better Value, Better than ever.
TM
Baxter - 14133 Edgewood Dr. N. Brainerd - 417 8th Ave. NE
THANK YOU
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Customers
for your patronage this last year.
Employees
for your hard work.
Have A Safe and Happy Labor Day!
30503 State Hwy 371, Pequot Lakes 218-568-5001 www.pequotlakessupervalu.com – OPEN DAILY 7 AM TO 10 PM –