Business News

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce says mood will carry over to legislature session

Minnesota businesses are increasingly pessimistic about the economy and the challenges it poses for their operations, according to a survey of business owners and managers commissioned by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
Companies cited high taxes as the biggest barrier to doing business in Minnesota.

Nancy LaVigne has been named the permanent director of Home Care for the Good Samaritan Society of International Falls.
LaVigne, a member of the staff of the Good Samaritan Society skilled nursing center for the past eight years, had served as interim director since July, and plans to expand and grow GSS home care services.

The International Falls Area Gateway Corridor Task Force has reviewed final designs and is seeking public comment before starting an implementation phase.
The task force is working to create an attractive, tourist friendly feel to U.S. Highway 53, and Minnesota Highway 11 east access points to Rainy Lake and Voyageurs National Park. The list of projects includes improvements to aesthetics, pedestrian safety, connectivity, economic impact and community character.
View the gateway project in detail and comment online at www.arrowheadplanning.org/gateway.

Editor’s note: In light of the recent financial failures and discussion by Congress of a bailout, The Journal posed the following question to a few people getting coffee Tuesday morning: Do you think the US government should bail out the stock market? Why?
LeeAnn Meer
At first I was not for the bailout at all, because it appeared that it was for the companies that made faulty decisions. I believed that if we bailout anyone it should be the people.
On the one hand our country is made up of companies that survive, and when they fail then others come up to take their place.

Snap Fitness, a 24 hour co-ed fitness club, is coming to International Falls.
Gabe and Barbara Arntson of East Grand Forks will open their third Snap Fitness club in the Falls on Oct. 17, at 615 3rd Ave. W.
Snap was created with the concept that people want a fast, convenient and affordable workout but don’t always want the contracts or the extra amenities of larger clubs.
Barb said the Falls allows them to combine business in their favorite vacation spot.

Community members are invited to join with $100, $250 or $500 donations

The Falls Memorial Hospital Foundation invites community members to be a part of the future of healthcare in our area by becoming Partners in Health. Through an annual donation of $100, $250 or $500, individuals can join a group deeply interested in Falls Memorial Hospital and the contribution it makes to the quality of life in our community.

What is Partners in Health?

Borderland’s 2008 summer tourism season was up slightly, but for some more than others.
Peter Schultz, director of the area’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, described the summer as stable but not stellar.
“Surveys show that people took fewer trips, stayed fewer nights, traveled closer to home and spent less money on their trips,” said Schultz.

Patrons of Nails by Marla are greeted by “Buffy,” a four-pound poodle that is the first licensed therapy dog allowed in a Minnesota salon.
An atmosphere of calm and relaxation is essential for a salon and the owners say the highly social, slightly spoiled, fluffy ball of joy is in a place where a dog that likes attention can belong.
“He just prances out to visit everybody and makes everyone smile and laugh,” said Marla Lemieux, owner of Nails by Marla.
“We call him our welcoming committee,” said Loretta Ojala, owner of the adjoining Loretta’s Skin Care Plus.

Consumers are concerned about the state of their investments as the federal government takes unprecedented steps to prevent companies from failing for fear of a wider impact. Experts anticipate a recovery, but say the short term impact will create a need to reassess risk tolerance and quality of life choices.
Dale Johnson, president and CEO of TruStar Federal Credit Union in International Falls, said this is the worst stock market meltdown since the Great Depression.
The difference today, he said, is that a strong economy could bring improvement by the second quarter of next year.

Nicholas Starr has joined the staff of Northland Counseling Center in the International Falls office.
Starr said that his therapy approach involves helping people befriend their difficulties, so that their problems lose their strength. His areas of clinical interest and expertise include group psychotherapy, depth psychotherapy, dream work, hypnotherapy, forensic psychology, intimate partner violence, trauma and abuse, psychological evaluations, organizational dynamics and conflict resolution.