by April Scheinoha
Reporter

In a little more than two months, the Thief River Falls City Council will finalize the 2024 city budget. At a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 3, the Committee of the Whole heard another request for funding for Advance Thief River. The request has been forwarded to the city’s Budget/Finance Committee.

In August, the economic development organization sought $25,000 from the city for its 2024 activities. It has also sought $25,000 from Pennington County. An additional $25,000, from Advance Thief River, would cover the remainder of the organization’s $75,000 budget.

On Tuesday, council member Steve Narverud, who serves as an ex-officio member of the Advance Thief River Board, presented the request on behalf of Advance Thief River.

Remarking that he knows the city has a limited budget, Narverud said he would like the council to provide $25,000 to the organization. He admitted he didn’t think such an appropriation was possible, but he suggested a $10,000 appropriation instead.

“It’s going to affect us all, and it’s something that could benefit our community, not just businesspeople,” Narverud said.

Mayor Brian Holmer replied that the city has an economic/community development director starting next week. Holmer said Richard Baker has experience and will hit the ground running.

Last month, Baker was hired for the position. He will be paid $46.53 per hour, which equates to a monthly salary of $8,065 per month.

The position of economic/community development director was reinstated after city consultant Mark Borseth stepped down. Prior to working as a consultant, Borseth was employed as the city’s community services director and then public works director until resigning from the latter position in May 2021.

In the past, the city and Pennington County shared the position of economic development director. That individual was responsible for economic development in the city and county.

Michelle Landsverk, executive director of Advance Thief River, said she is excited that the city has hired a new economic/community development director. She said more people are needed, and she thought her work would continue to impact the area and fill a void.

Landsverk pointed to the impact of Advance Thief River. She indicated that it has applied for a $100,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. If approved, the grant would provide marketing services for 10 businesses the first year of the grant and an additional 10 businesses the following year. The businesses would receive one-on-one sessions with a professional marketing consultant. Over the course of two years, 10 businesses would also receive business coaching. Landsverk said she believes some businesses are operating on a thin profit margin.

Landsverk highlighted her activities the day of the Committee of the Whole meeting. The Fosston resident had been in Thief River Falls all day, meeting with various groups. That morning, Two Rivers Entrepreneur Kinnection met. Landsverk reported a large group attended the meeting and heard from the owners of the Rusty Nail.

Also on Tuesday, Landsverk met with a business owner who is interested in filling a property with potential childcare pods. She also visited with an entrepreneur who is developing an innovative product. Landsverk said the entrepreneur is seeking a patent and she is coaching the individual, who is seeking an angel investment. The two of them met with an attorney as well.

“These services are for everyone, not just our members,” Landsverk said.

After Landsverk spoke, Holmer noted the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce, Visit Thief River Falls and retail businesses are struggling. “Where do we give our money to?” asked Holmer. “This is taxpayer money.”