Business and Relocation Guide 2009 - (Page 20) BUSINESS RELOCATION & EXPANSION SERVICES Grow, Succeed, Stay Welcome to our business community Throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area you’ll discover a network of vibrant, business-friendly communities. You’ll also find the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation (BLADC) and its experienced staff ready to help you through the process of starting, expanding, or relocating a business here. In 1985, area leaders created BLADC as an independent, nonprofit organization to work with communities, area governments, economic development entities, and private industry. Acting as a coordinating body, BLADC’s staff of economic development professionals helps entrepreneurs and business owners access the resources they need to succeed in the Lakes Area. Arnie Johnson was influential in establishing BLADC. As an entrepreneur and a local business man Johnson recognized the benefits that professional economic development staff could have in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Following ten years of experience in the insurance industry as a retirement plan specialist, Johnson united his knowledge and determination with Brainerd Lakes Area resources and formed Universal Pensions, Inc. (UPI) in 1975. Under Johnson’s leadership, UPI grew to more than 500 employees New Lonesome Cottage 30,000 square foot production facility in the Pequot Lakes Industrial Park. and provided products and services to more than 7,000 financial institutions. Johnson sold UPI in 2001 to BISYS, a publicly-traded company, for $85 million. Recently, an ownership change and new name of Ascensus has emerged; however the legacy started more than 30 years ago continues with a thriving company that employs a large number of professionals in the Lakes Area. Through this growth BLADC’s roles have included coordinating and facilitating governmental programs such as Tax Increment Financing, the Minnesota Investment Fund, various Revolving Loan Funds, and Small Business Administration 504 financing. BLADC has stayed in touch with UPI, BISYS, and now Ascensus through their Business Retention and Expansion program. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 20 Brainerd Lakes Area Business & Relocation Guide
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