Area Resources

The Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission coordinates and facilitates the development of a strong and competitive economy countywide. As a public-private partnership, the HCREDC focuses on addressing needs and opportunities of existing business, and provides assistance to new and expanding businesses, while embracing the exceptional quality of life the area offers.

In partnership with SCORE (Counselors to America?s Small Business) and the Small Business Development Center, the HCREDC is a central point of contact for new and existing businesses. The Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber and many other organizations assist in the coordination and delivery of entrepreneurial development services and programs to assist new businesses and existing entrepreneurs. The HCREDC is located in the Hubbard County Courthouse, 301 Court Ave., Park Rapids or call (218)732-2256. For more information see: www.hubbardcountyedc.com.

The Northwest Region 1 Small Business Development Center (SBDC) monthly ?client days? in cooperation with the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. The center offers a variety of free services to existing and start up businesses. Counselors provide one-on-one business management consulting to existing and prospective small business owners and managers, training on business topics, loan packaging and access to business information. These services are funded through the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and sponsored locally by area banks. The main office at Bemidji can be reached at (218)755-4255; appointments are taken through the Park Rapids Chamber at (218)732-4111. For more information see: http://www.mnsbdc.com/AreaBemidji.htm.

The Park Rapids Area SCORE branch office offers free services to existing and startup businesses. SCORE is part of a national nonprofit organization with volunteer counselors who provide guidance and information to maximize the success of existing and emerging small business. SCORE counselors are business people with successful careers and entrepreneurial ventures who volunteer their time to help. Their assistance can be short or long term and they can provide free materials including how to start your own business, how to incorporate your business and how to market your business on the Internet. SCORE also offers low-cost workshops on a variety of topics and the opportunity to network with other small business owners. SCORE is a partner of the Small Business Administration and the local office is affiliated with the chapter in St Cloud. For more information see: http://www.stcloudscore.org.

The Progress Park Rapids stewards group is a diverse group of over 20 community members committed to the long-term well-being of the greater Park Rapids community. The group exists to create an environment for the greater Park Rapids community to succeed by: Engaging the greater Park Rapids community to collectively define its desired future; Identifying strategies and action steps that ensure progress toward being a successful community; and Being the long-term place for ideas to land and be nurtured. Learn more about this group and a Park Rapids Indicator Report done with the intent of moving the greater Park Rapids community forward at http://www.progressparkrapids.com.

Information about the area?s JOBZ benefits is available by contacting the Small Business Development Center, Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission or Headwaters Regional Development Commission http://www.hrdc.org.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation has two programs targeted to economic development in the region. Business financing programs include loans, equity funds and product development loans for the following: Value-added manufacturing and processing; Technologically innovative industries; Agri-processing, marketing and specialty crops production; Tourism and information industries; Goods and services that enhance Quality of Place. Funds may be used for working capital, inventory, equipment, land and buildings. The foundation's entrepreneur development program includes technical assistance in combination with financing - before, during and after financing is made. For more information see: http://www.nwmf.org.

A non-profit organization created in 1987, Teamworks, Inc. works with programs and service development to cultivate business involvement and community partnerships. Teamworks has grown from a local training center to a regional/statewide organization that provides human performance solutions. The office of Park Rapids Express Employment Professionals at Teamworks covers all or parts of 10 surrounding counties and helps people find jobs and businesses find the people and human resource services they need. For more information see: http://www.teamworks-hps.com/