Business
Grand Marais wins "America's Coolest Small Town" contest
-Grand Marais is the winner of Budget Travel's 10th annual America's Coolest Small Town contest! Ann Possis chatted with Robert Firpo-Cappiello, editor-in-chief of the magazine, on March 6 to learn more about the contest and what it means for winning towns.
Sawbill Outfitters owner Bill Hansen on unique work credit system that keeps both owners & employees happy
-Ann & Dick chatted with Bill Hansen, owner of Sawbill Outfitters in Tofte with his wife Cindy, about their unique work credit system in which employees bid on jobs each week. Bill explained the idea behind it, how it works, and how & why it benefits both employees and the business.
MyRain, a U of MN student startup business, wins major international funding
-Steele Lorenz, a 2010 graduate of the U of MN Carlson School of Management, co-founded MyRain, a business that helps small farmers in India become more profitable and use natural resources more efficiently. He talked with Dick Oct. 10 about the company's mobile irrigation system, how the business works, and what the award will enable them to do. You can learn more about MyRain here.
Minn. & Wisc. Sea Grant programs' award-winning research protects Duluth-Superior harbor infrastructure
-Jeff Gunderson, director of Minnesota Sea Grant, spoke with Randy Eastlund Sept. 26 about work they did with Wisconsin Sea Grant to identify and mitigate corrosion to the port of Duluth-Superior's infrastructure, thereby saving millions of dollars in future repair and replacement costs. You can learn more about the work of Sea Grant here.
Cook County native Anna Steel explains Airbnb, a new kind of lodging service
-Anna Steel is trust and safety operations manager in Europe for Airbnb, and she's based in Dublin. Airbnb is a new way for people to offer and book unique lodging accommodations all over the world. She chatted with Dick Sept. 5 about how it works, why people like it, and what her role is in the company. You can learn more about Airbnb here.
Erin Stojan Ruccolo explains community solar, proposed solar array at Arrowhead Co-op, and more
-Dave TerSteeg spoke with Erin Stojan Ruccolo, director of electricity markets for Fresh Energy, about various aspects of generating solar energy in Minnesota, including community solar, setting an actual monetary value for solar, and the solar array that Great River Energy has proposed for the Arrowhead Cooperative site in Lutsen. You can learn more about solar and other renewables here.
Local writer Jim Boyd's history of Hedstrom Lumber, now celebrating its 100th year
-Hedstrom Lumber Company of Grand Marais is celebrating its 100th year in business. Jim Boyd has written a wonderful history of this resilient company and family, "Sawdust in Their Blood," weaving personal stories of the Hedstroms with business and area history. He spoke with Buck July 4 about his experiences and observations researching and writing the book. "Sawdust in Their Blood" is published locally by Northern Wilds Media and can be found at local stores.
Would you like a side of crickets with that? The future of insects as 'people food'
-Biochemist and entomologist Dr. Aaron Dossey is the founder/owner of All Things Bugs, a Georgia company dedicated to insect-based applications including insect-based foods. He spoke with Dick June 27 to explain why he believes insects are the food of the future, enabling us to feed our growing population efficiently. You can read more about his ideas and his company here.
Chiropractor Claudia Cottrell helps animals lead healthier, happier lives
-Dr. Claudia Cottrell, an animal chiropractor based in Duluth, was in Cook County recently to make a public presentation and to treat some animal patients. Buck spoke with her May 16 about the rewards and challenges of her unique practice. You can learn more about her at the Animal Kingdom Chiropractic website.
The "Wag Brigade" helps make flying a walk in the park
-Flying these days can be stressful and not very fun. But the folks at San Francisco International Airport are doing something about that with the Wag Brigade, a program that puts trained dogs in the terminals to make flying more enjoyable. Christopher Birch, director of guest experience at the airport, talked with Dick May 16 about the program and how it's helping travelers to be happier campers. You can learn more about the Wag Brigade here.