Community involvement drives momentum
In my role as the Economic Development Coordinator for Aitkin County, I have been inspired by the unwavering commitment and active participation of the community as we collaboratively forge the path for the county’s future development.
It is simply Naturally Better here!
Here are some highlights of our strategic plan priorities from 2023:
Recreation:
- Naturally Better born. Launched in June 2023, the Aitkin County story and why we all love to live here came to life. I visited cities, townships, businesses and organizations around the county to understand the story. Now, those same groups are working to make Naturally Better a permanent part of our future.
- Aitkin County Riverboat Trails named. Led by the Aitkin County River Trails Committee, extensive work was done to gather input and ideas, bringing us to a name for the trails. This trail system includes 11 individual kayak and canoe trails that span from Jacobson to the Pine Knoll Loop. The total river miles of the trail system is over 90 miles!
Broadband
- Aitkin County Broadband Profile 2023: Green Rating: Ranking 40 out of 87 Counties. Aitkin County went from ranking 77 last year to 40 in 2023. We have gone from 60.36% 100 Mbps down/20 up broadband coverage in 2022 to 93.96% coverage in 2023. This is a huge accomplishment that could not have been done without local internet service p
- Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative has led the way to complete the McGrath Broadband project bringing fiber to the outer areas of our c The over $5 million project is complete with service applications being accepted, connecting residents to quality fiber internet service.
Housing
- Bunker Hill Housing of Aitkin: The city of Aitkin, Aitkin County, INH Properties and Growth Innovations collaborated to move forward on a 44-unit multi-family and a 51-unit 55+ housing complex located on Bunker Hill Drive.
- Focus on housing needs sparked conversation momentum in McGregor, Hill City, Palisade and Aitkin.
- Aitkin County creates Housing Trust Fund: In late 2023, Aitkin County Economic Development established a Housing Trust Fund. This fund allows developer and homeowner incentives to help ease the burden of building or owning houses.
Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction
- Aitkin County has responsibly used the Federal Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars granted to the county during the pandemic. Through economic development grants, we have awarded over $140,000 to projects in all communities in the c The grants allowed businesses to renovate storefronts, creating a more attractive, welcoming main street. We plan to continue to offer additional grant opportunities in 2024.
These examples are just a start of what can be accomplished when we all work together to create momentum.
Mark Jeffers
Economic Development Coordinator