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WALKER - Mike Paulus gave the county board a report Tuesday on what Cass County Economic Development has accomplished in the last year since he took over as director of the nonprofit corporation.

The EDC has worked with 52 businesses, he said. Startup and expanding businesses have added 80 new jobs. Businesses have raised $5,200,000 with help from the EDC.

The EDC provided 445 hours of assistance to businesses, he said.

The EDC also has worked with Walker's solution planning, Remer's industrial park renovation and expansion, Pine River's potential 50-unit apartment project and Hackensack's revitalization planning.

Future expansions for existing businesses could come in Pillager, Backus, Remer, Pine River, Walker and Cass Lake, Paulus said.

He is trying to recruit shovel-ready projects for a portion of the county's Ah-Gwah-Ching site. He has worked on a service contract to offer townships that support the EDC and has offered small business clinics at townships and cities.

Paulus not only updated the EDC website, but also created its first Facebook page. The EDC attended planning meetings and financially supported the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce job fair.

EDC board members Anna Hunstad and Jeff Sheldon retired from the board this fall. New board members taking office Oct. 1 are Dave Endicott, Vicki Dufner and Charles Black Lance.

The EDC will host its annual dinner meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Chase Hotel in Walker.

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