Try this link to learn what has been going on with the fish plant.
I. Falls Journal fish plant stories Why would anybody believe some of their initial claims? Jeopordize the tourist industry for a few $10/hr jobs?
According the Journal story of July 3, "Barney did not attend Monday’s meeting, but Nevanen explained that the business would process rough fish purchased by contract from native people in Ontario and Manitoba. The fish would not come from Rainy Lake, clarified Nevanen." We already know both of these promises have been broken. A more recent story (which I cannot locate) admitted that the plant had bought one load of fish from Rainy Lake and was selling walleyes.
I have attached some of their stories below:
International Falls Journal
News » City News, I Falls
Council OKs agreement for fish processing plant, By LAUREL BEAGER, Editor
July 3, 2007 - 10:32am — Laurel Beager
Filed under: City News, I Falls
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Subsidies hinge on creation, maintenance of at least 40 new jobs
A new business developing in International Falls will get the benefits of locating in a JOB zone as well as other incentives in exchange for jobs and construction of a building.
The International Falls City Council Monday agreed to provide Koochiching Freshwater Fisheries, owned by Barry D. Barney, with a business subsidy that involves conveyance of property within the International Falls business park for $1 and Job Opportunity Building Zone tax exemptions, explained Paul Nevanen, director of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.
In exchange, Barney must construct a 12,000 square foot structure on the property, create 40 new full time equivalent jobs by Dec. 15 and maintain those jobs during the JOBZ term, noted Nevanen. The business must pay employee compensation including benefits as outlined in state law or at least $10 per hour.
Once the new building is operating, as many as 60 jobs may be created, Nevanen also said.
Barney did not attend Monday’s meeting, but Nevanen explained that the business would process rough fish purchased by contract from native people in Ontario and Manitoba. The fish would not come from Rainy Lake, clarified Nevanen. The processed fish would be sent to markets on both Coasts and in the Midwest, he added.
Barney has already made significant investments in the business, including purchasing a building at the business park and equipment, noted Nevanen. Barney has 30 years of experience in the fishing processing industry and has worked hard to establish relationships with the native people he will purchase fish from, he added.
“His business plan is solid,” Nevanen told the council, adding that the benefits to the community for the jobs justify the business subsidies.
Nevanen said Barney had considered establishing the business in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but a building ready for occupation in the Falls helped convince him to come to Borderland, he said.
Councilor Tim “Chopper” McBride agreed with Nevanen’s assessment that Barney and the business is a good fit for Borderland.
Falls Mayor Shawn Mason said she was excited to think about a future dedication ceremony for the new building and the addition of 40-60 jobs to the community.
In other business, the council reiterated it’s plan to fight a “war on blight,” as worded by Mason.
“The war on blight will continue to be an agenda item until the war is won,” she told the council.
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Jerry Jensen told the council that an educational campaign about what is considered blight will be launched and a committee is considering how to make teeth in the city’s ordinance sharper.
More enforcement of the city’s blight ordinance will be carried out, he added.
As an example of the need for enforcement, Jensen noted that there are 45 vehicles within the city with expired license plates. Letters will and have been sent to owners about how to comply with the ordinance, but the vehicle will be towed at some point, with owners paying the towing costs to recover their vehicles, he said.
City Administrator Rod Otterness explained that the city was taking action because it is required to under ordinance and as a result of residents concerned with blight issues in their neighborhoods.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a 5-year lease with Border State Bank that will allow the city to establish a mural on the side of a now vacant building at Third Street and Third Avenue. In addition, the council approved a $4,000 artist fee. The mural will depict Third Street in the 1950-60 time period and will serve as a backdrop for the Iltis statue. Councilors are still researching costs of a display case for the historic statue.
• Agreed to send a letter to the Koochiching County Board seeking assistance with mitigation costs for the Northland Distributing project. The expansion of the business has been hindered by the state’s wetland rules. Otterness explained that the county may have wetland credits banked that can be used to mitigate the construction process.
• Heard from Councilor Gail Rognerud that Friday’s City Beach rededication was successful. She urged area residents to drive through the park to see the improvements recently made there.
• Thanked city employees that assisted in the 2007 All Class Reunion. In addition, the council agreed to send letters of appreciation to Terry Randolph, who organized a visit by The Wall That Heals, and the tri-chairs of the ACR.
News » Letters to the Editor
Concerned about source of fish
August 22, 2008 - 11:32am — Journal Staff
Filed under: Letters to the Editor
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To the editor,
We would like to voice our concern about Koochiching Economic Development Authority providing assistance to the fish plant located in the international falls business park.
In 2007 our family sold a building and land in the business park. We were told by the building purchaser about the proposed fish plant and that the fish processed at that plant would be coming from Winnipeg and not from Rainy Lake or this area.
A recent article in The Daily Journal indicated that fish will be harvested from Rainy Lake provided by first nation band members. With the rising cost of fuel, we are concerned that the fish for the plant would have to come from the closest place possible for the plant to be profitable.
We feel strongly against our county providing any kind of assistance to the fish company unless there is a guarantee that the fish for the plant come from elsewhere.
The Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club and others have worked too hard providing our local residents and tourists an excellent fishery in Rainy Lake. If the fish population in Rainy Lake suffers, so will our tourism industry with a snowballing effect on our entire local economy.
The fish plant is an agenda item at the next KEDA Board meeting to be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. in the Koochiching County board room. We encourage all those interested in the future of Rainy Lake to attend the meeting.
Curt and Jane Wagner
International Falls, MN
Focus on your city » Rants and Raves
What has happened to the new fish processing plant?
June 29, 2008 - 4:01pm — kay
Filed under: Rants and Raves
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I checked out the new fish processing plant to see what kind of fish they were selling. Its off 53 in the tax free zone and to my surprise it was closed. The grass in some areas is over 2 feet long, building materials are scattered everywhere. There were cement bags laying on the ground soaked and torn open. Scaffolding is half up and half down, it looks abandoned. What a mess. What's happening with it? It seems a shame to see so many building materials just going to waste.
News » Business News
Fish plant reorganizes, By LAUREL BEAGER, Editor
July 10, 2008 - 11:55am — Laurel Beager
Filed under: Business News
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The name has changed and there are a few new faces, but the goal of the business is the same — profitability.
The business that began as Koochiching Fisheries under the direction of Barry Barney is now known as Can Am Freshwater Fisheries and under the guidance of Pete Benson of O’Brien’s Consulting, Slidell, La. Benson is serving as temporary operations manager as a corporate reorganization is finalized.
Barney is no longer involved in the business, however investors that he had secured remain involved, explained Kelly DeNucci, office manager.
The reorganization, they told The Journal Tuesday, would protect the investment of the original investors.
“We plan to capitalize on what we have and moving forward with the knowledge of the people that we have working and the additional employees,” he said. “We have no choice but to grow. The demand is there and we want to work with the local individuals from the nets to the fish to the people we buy the fish from to see to it that this business is successful.”
He says the business has the potential to employ 50 people in the next 12-14 months.
The business involves purchasing fish from First Nations band members in Ontario and bringing it to the fisheries plant to be processed and sold. For now, says DeNucci, the company will focus on building a market through local sales. Later, plans could include shipping fish to other locations.
Benson noted that the business has been open for fish sales for some time, but for legal reasons during the reorganization, did not advertise or place signs around the building.
That should change soon. As the reorganization is finalized, Benson said advertisements would seek staff for a variety of positions and would offer for sale walleye, whitefish, northern pike and crappie from its location in the community’s Business Park.
Also on Tuesday, members of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority met in emergency session to discuss the future of the business. (See accompanying story.)
The KEDA had an agreement with Barney, which must be revised to reflect the new organization, that provided the lot in the Business Park for $1. Barney was also involved in a deal with the city through its JOBZ status that called for new construction.
Meanwhile, an attempt at quick growth without full control has delayed the success of the business, according to Benson.
“You have to walk before you can run,” he said. “We’ve geared this back considerably. We think we can run this operation for the next nine to 10 months at a good pace. We’re working our way into it.”
Benson, who says he’s spent time throughout his life in International Falls, says he plans to work with the business for the next month or two as he hires the right people for key positions. Then, he says, he’ll retire.
Benson, who is from Duluth, says he has in the past worked on environmental issues, but has been brought in by investors to work with employees “and try to groom this company into a very profitable and successful business.
“I have a lot of faith in this company and I am certainly sure it can do it,” he said. That faith, he said, is based on three factors: the availability of fish; good relationships with the First Nations members; and a customer base for the International Falls site.
Support from the community has been strong, Benson said.
Relationships Barney established with First Nations members, who the company will contract with for fish, has carried through in the reorganization, Benson and DeNucci said.
Barney could again be involved in the business in the future, Benson added.
Meanwhile, the company was in the process of expanding when the reorganization began. That has been put on hold for now.
“Just watch, you’ll see different signs up, one on the highway,” Benson said. “The grounds have begun to take on a new look and will be straightened up.”
The Can Am Freshwater Fisheries can be contacted at 285-7000.
News » Editorials
Fish plant good match
May 11, 2007 - 1:10pm — Journal Staff
Filed under: Editorials
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Borderland’s poised to net an opportunity for jobs and added economic health with a freshwater fish packaging operation planned for International Falls.
Sounds like a perfect match with Borderland.
Barry Barney told the Koochiching Economic Development Authority Board Monday that he has purchased a building in the Falls industrial park and expects to open in June with Phase I of his plans. This stage of the plans include packaging rough fish purchased from Canadian tribal members which will employ 10-15 people locally.
A plant is expected to be added to the building that will include processing lines and employ 40 to 60 people. That phase of the operation is planned to open by Sept. 1.
Barney said also plans to open a second facility next year that will employ an additional 40 to 50 employees.
Barney told the board he plans to start pay for the jobs at $10 an hour. And, he says the business will provide benefits for its employees. Originally from Minnesota, Barney told the board he treats workers well because hard work deserves decent pay and builds loyalty. We like that kind of thinking.
In addition, he says he’ll return a portion of his profits to the people who provide the fish and his employees. Again, good thinking.
Barney’s plan provides the area with another opportunity to use available resources — the fish — to benefit Canadian tribal members by providing income while at the same time offering Borderland jobs and opportunity. He estimates that the business will handle 250,000 pounds of fish each day.
And it appears that Barney has done his homework and will help the area’s designation as a JOBZ site pay off. Barney told the KEDA Board Monday that he had considered opening his business in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but instead decided to bring the business to International Falls because of the JOBZ benefits.
Welcome to the community, Mr. Barney. We wish you well, Your success will also be our success.
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