Pomp’s Tire Service has purchased the former Land O’Lakes building in downtown Thief River Falls. It plans to consolidate all of its operations, formerly known as GCR Firestone, at the property.

by April Scheinoha
Reporter

Changes are on the horizon in Thief River Falls. Several commercial buildings have changed ownership, and a mixed-use building with residential apartments is moving forward near Valley Assisted Living. At its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Thief River Falls City Council acted on several matters to facilitate those projects.

Pomp’s Tire Service
Pomp’s Tire Service has purchased the former Land O’Lakes building, 122 Main Ave. S., in downtown Thief River Falls. Pomp’s plans to consolidate all of its Thief River Falls operations, formerly known as GCR Firestone, at the Main Avenue facility. Currently, it operates its tire and repair business at 220 Horace Ave. N. and utilizes storage at two warehouses on Pennington Avenue.

In order to facilitate the move, Pomp’s has asked the city to rezone the Main Avenue property from Light Industrial District (I-1) to Central Business District (C-3). Public Works Director Mark Borseth said the property is surrounded by other parcels zoned C-3. The council held a first reading of the rezoning ordinance at its meeting Tuesday. It is expected that the council will consider rezoning the property at an upcoming meeting.

Northern Pride
Pomp’s has vacated the former Northwest Beverage building along Pennington Avenue. Northern Pride has purchased that building, which is adjacent to its parking lot. Borseth said Northern Pride plans to further expand its turkey processing business beyond whole birds.

Northern Pride has purchased the former Northwest Beverage building along Pennington Avenue and adjacent to the Northern Pride parking lot. Recently, Pomp’s Tire Service used the building as a warehouse. Northern Pride plans to expand its processing business and employ an additional 15 to 20 full-time employees year-round at this location.

With this expansion, Northern Pride plans to extensively renovate and modify the building to its needs. It also plans to make a significant investment in equipment to convert the property to a food processing facility. Borseth said Northern Pride anticipates employing an additional 15 to 20 full-time employees year-round at this location.

To assist in its efforts, Northern Pride is seeking a forgivable loan through the Minnesota Investment Fund, which is offered by the Minnesota Department of Economic and Employment Development. The loan amount is based on the number of new full-time jobs, pay rate and cost of eligible expenses. Qualifying expenses would require a 50% match from Northern Pride. The city is required to be the applicant; however, no city funds are expended for the application and loan.

MIF requires the city to hold a public hearing to consider applying for the loan on behalf of Northern Pride. The council approved holding the public hearing Tuesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Apartments near Valley Assisted Living
Besides taking the above action, the council also held a first reading to rezone vacant property south of Valley Assisted Living. MAK Properties of Grand Forks, N.D., has purchased the property with the intention of constructing a mixed-use building with residential apartments over commercial space. Most of the development would be residential apartments. MAK Properties apparently plans to call the four-story building The Angle.

The council is expected to consider the rezoning request at an upcoming meeting. If approved, the property would be rezoned from Multi-Family Residential District (R-4) to General Business District (C-2).