It was a busy year for the Rainy River Future Development Corporation in 2024.
The Corporation was involved in a number of economic development projects between Fort Frances and Rainy River.
Executive Director, Angela Halverson says tile drainage continues to be one of their signature efforts.
“So far, up to Tile 8 project, we’ve tiled 15,466 acres, which has also given our farmers the ability to invest as well. The producer investment as part of that project is over $12 million,” says Halverson.
Halverson says the initiative has allowed farmers to grow better crops and different crops.
The Association has also assisted with new business starts with support and financial capital.
Through a loans program, the Association issued approximately 70 loans to small businesses valued at $4 million by the end of 2024.
The Association has also been busy hosting a variety of workshops and seminars to help the area’s business community.
“Those kinds of workshops happen fairly regularly, and they’re always going to be listed on our website, and we do email them out. So, if anyone wants more information on that, they can go to our website. They can also join our newsletter group and we can send that out directly to people.”
Halverson is optimistic about the district’s future.
She says it is helped by the area’s communities that have created a climate that is welcoming to investors and entrepreneurs.
“When people are coming into the area and looking to expand or develop a business, they look at who’s open for business, who’s looking for the opportunities and the entrepreneurship. And many of our communities in the area are very much open for business and willing to support those businesses.”
