Business Announcements

Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) recently has been named one of the top 200 Workplaces in Minnesota by Star Tribune.

Kate LePage was honored with the Safe Harbor Award for her outstanding work by the Brainerd Lakes Area Sex Trafficking Team. LePage, with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), is the Central Minnesota Regional Navigator for Safe Harbor - providing community education and connection to resources such as housing, mental health counseling and daily necessities to sex-trafficked youth across 11 counties. She’s been instrumental in developing the Safe Harbor Protocol for Crow Wing County and providing ongoing educational training to law enforcement, school personnel, other youth serving organizations, and parents. Safe Harbor Hotline: 866.824.3770.

AE2S announces the promotion of Jayme Klecker, PE, to Industrial Practice Leader at the 100% Employee-Owned civil and environmental consulting engineering firm.

Brainerd Floral is celebrating the transition to its 3rd generation of ownership within the Halverson Family.

Brainerd, MN, May 1, 2024 - 2024 marks the 60th year since the Community Action Network was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. Over 1,000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors, making communities stronger and helping families across the US thrive. This year, Tri County Community Action Partnership, Inc., a proud member of the Community Action Network, will also commemorate 60 years helping families throughout the Three County Area.

The Crossing Arts Alliance is excited to host Anishinaabe artist, Adrienne M. Benjamin, for an exhibition entitled, Gashkigwaade (It is Sewn ), featuring a collection of Benjamin’s handmade jingle dresses.

is pleased to announce the addition of Marc W. Dosser as our newest Associate Attorney. Marc is a 2021 graduate from the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Marc will be focusing in Family Law and Bankruptcy. Marc and our team are ready to help you and your clients with any legal issues in the Brainerd and St. Cloud areas. Feel free to call 218.825.7030 or email Marc@edshawlaw.com

Baxter, MN - Deerwood Bank has named Allie Verchota a Real Estate Lender at its Baxter location.

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently promoted Miranda Anderson to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Marketing. In her expanded role, she will remain responsible for executing MMFCU’s strategic marketing and community outreach efforts. Additionally, Miranda will lead data and business analytics processes focused on the development of long-range expansion and growth initiatives.

The Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund, founded in 1949, has named Michelle Arnhold Davies to a five-year term on its Board of Directors.

Advanced Business Methods acquires The Office Shop in Brainerd & Aitkin, Minnesota. The acquisition of The Office Shop brings another great organization to Advanced Business Methods. West Fargo, ND March 15, 2024. Advanced Business Methods (ABM), an office products and solutions company headquartered in West Fargo, ND, has acquired The Office Shop, a Brainerd and Aitkin, Minnesota based Office Equipment, Furniture, and Supply source. The official announcement was made in Brainerd on Wednesday, March 13th. The move to acquire The Office Shop began in Spring of 2023. “We are excited to be partnering with a great local organization with deep roots in the communities”, said Jeff Ellingson President of ABM. “Scott and Jodie Johnson have formed a great locally owned and operated organization with a great staff, and we hope to continue that same path by providing exceptional sales, service, and products that all The Office Shop customers have become accustomed too. We are also thrilled that the local ownership will remain in these communities as The Office Shop employees are becoming owners of The Office Shop through our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Program), which will help continue the local hometown feel that The Office Shop is known for.” The acquisition of The Office Shop continues ABM’s mission and growth strategy. With the addition of The Office Shop, ABM will be able to add a central Minnesota location. ABM will expand its offerings in these communities to include locally delivered supplies as well as office furniture, which has been a staple of The Office Shop business. According to Scott Johnson, the president of The Office Shop, “When Jodie and I started our company over 41 years ago, we built our business by taking exceptional care of our customers and our employees. Joining the ABM team, we know that our customers will continue to have that same exceptional service and support they have always had. We are very excited to continue to be providing service to our local communities and to be part of an employee-owned business.” About Advanced Business Methods Advanced Business Methods (ABM), a North Dakota Company, has been in the office machines business for 53 years representing its product lines from Canon, Ricoh/Savin, Kyocera, Lexmark, and HP. ABM currently has additional offices in West Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Dickinson, and Minot, North Dakota; and resident technicians located in Williston, Devils Lake, Wahpeton North Dakota, and Bemidji, Minnesota. ABM is a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP). Currently, there are approximately 90 owners/employees on staff providing services and support. ABM owns and operates its own leasing company, thus not having the lease contract sold through a third party. The ABM ESOP also owns and operates an IT services division. ABM services all of North Dakota, Northern South Dakota, as well as Eastern Montana and Western Minnesota and now Central Minnesota. This number does not reflect the hundreds more supported throughout the United States with their many National Account customers. Media Contact: Jeff Ellingson President, Advanced Business Methods jeff.ellingson@abmnow.com 701-224-7077 www.abmnow.com

Brainerd, MN - On Tuesday, March 5 the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced that they have awarded over $53 million in grants through their Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program. The 24 projects that were awarded throughout the state will be matched by nearly $51 million in local funds, for a total investment of over $104 million.

BAXTER, MN - CTC has officially launched the capability for internet subscribers to enjoy free online gaming tournaments, after recently partnering with Fiber Gaming Network.

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) recently appointed Kim Bolz-Andolshek and Debby Erickson from its Supervisory Committee to the Board of Directors. MMFCU’s Board of Directors are unpaid volunteers who take on a fiduciary responsibility in setting the direction of credit union policy.

The Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund, founded in 1949, has named Eric Albrecht and Charles Black Lance to five-year terms on its Board of Directors. They join other Board members and staff in providing $1.2 million in scholarships each year to northern Minnesota students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, science, engineering and medical fields of study.

Members Cooperative Credit Union launched their annual 12 Days of Giving initiative, providing $30,000 in donations to non-profit organizations in their branch communities. Each of Members’ 12 branches selected an organization to receive a $2,500 gift. The funds will be used to support the basic needs and essential services of those who benefit from their programming.