Business and Relocation Guide 2009 - (Page 22) BUSINESS RELOCATION & EXPANSION SERVICES A new Lonesome Cottage Showroom opened in May 2007, located on Highway 371, next to the Oasis Shopping Center in Pequot Lakes. BLADC was instrumental in identifying potential sites in Crow Wing County with the infrastructure that met the company’s growth and expansion needs for today and into the future. In 2007, Johnson recognized the opportunity presented by the 78 million baby boomers who need financial guidance and assistance as they face retirement or a life stage change, so he formed Integrated Retirement Initiatives (IRI), LLC, a company dedicated to helping financial professionals deliver the financial products and advice that meets the needs of today’s mature workers and retirees. BLADC looks forward to offering services as Johnson develops his new entrepreneurial venture. Business retention and expansion has always been at the forefront of the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation’s mission. By fostering relationships with entrepreneurial companies such as Jeff and Matt Balmer’s furniture company, Lonesome Cottage Furniture Company, BLADC was able to assist in their growth. Started in 1998, Lonesome Cottage Furniture Company established itself in the local market and supported more than 20 employees. Brandon and Jill Andersen purchased the business in 2003 with a vision for growth. When Andersen began investigating his expansion plans he contacted Sheila Haverkamp, Executive Director of the Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation. BLADC was instrumental in identifying potential sites in Crow Wing County with the infrastructure that met the company’s growth and expansion needs for today and into the future. The development corporation provided many different aspects of technical assistance regarding industrial park site purchasing process, tax increment financing, and revolving loan funds. BLADC also coordinated and facilitated various economic development partners and government resources to bring together an attractive financing package that would retain and enhance Lonesome Cottage’s ability to grow. In May of 2007, Lonesome Cottage moved into a new showroom in Pequot Lakes along Highway 371 with space to 22 Brainerd Lakes Area Business & Relocation Guide
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.