Cloquet Economic Development Authority
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The mission of the Cloquet Economic Development Authority (EDA) is to take an active role in attracting new businesses to the community, retaining existing businesses, assisting businesses with expansion, and enabling rehabilitation and/or redevelopment of areas within the community. The goal of work activities by the EDA is to grow the local economy through focused efforts that stimulate economic investment and grow prosperity in the Cloquet region.
Governance
The Cloquet EDA is a public body governed by Mn. Stat. 469 and enabling resolution by the Cloquet City Council. The membership of the EDA is composed of seven (7) members, including five (5) at-large and two (2) Council members who are appointed by the City Council. The EDA meets monthly and is a seven-member volunteer commission, provide the community platform for local economic discussion and decision making. (For more info: 2024 Economic Development Authority Handbook MN).
The Cloquet EDA has staff support from the through the Community Development Department, with the Director of Community Development acting as the Cloquet EDA Director. The Cloquet EDA meets the first Wednesday of every month at 8:00am in the Cloquet City Hall Council Chambers.
2025 Membership Cloquet Economic Development Authority
| Member | Position | Affiliation/Occupation | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyz Jaakola | Commissioner | City Councilor | Council Term 12/31/28 |
| Aaron Peterson | Commissioner | Cloquet Insurance | Term Expires 12/31/31 |
| Mark Lanigan | Commissioner | Banker | Term Expires 12/31/26 |
| Dave Manderfeld | Commissioner | Cloquet Large Industry |
Term Expires 12/31/25 |
| Sue Ryan | Commissioner | Cloquet Industry Distribution | Term Expires 12/31/25 |
| Jenny Blatchford | Commissioner | broad Cloquet business experience |
Term Expires 12/31/31 |
|
Lara Wilkinson |
Commissioner | City Councilor | Council Term 12/31/24 |
2025 Work Plan / Goals
Goal #1 - Housing
Facilitate the development of ownership and rental housing projects marketing re/development site opportunities, and promote programs that help maintain existing ownership and rental housing stock.
Goal #2 – Grow, Attract, and Retain Businesses
Ensure business needs are supported.
Goal #3 –Increase Childcare Slots
Ensure local families and businesses are supported by and have access to quality childcare in the City of Cloquet by maintaining and creating new additional childcare slots.
Goal #4 –Develop the Cloquet Business Park
Increase business and employment opportunities within the Cloquet Business Park and broaden the commercial/industrial sector and tax base.
Goal #5 – Downtown Revitalization / Business Support / Redevelopment Support
Increase the number and variety of restaurants, breweries/cideries/taprooms etc., retail, office, commercial, and housing mixed-use destinations to maintain Downtown as a vibrant destination and place of commerce. Have strong local business relationships, awareness of their needs and market Cloquet. Ensure difficult sites that require redevelopment are supported with economic development tools as warranted.
Goal #6 – Bolster Broadband Networks
Continue to work with selected broadband partner and facilitate other partnerships to improve residential and business broadband service within the City of Cloquet.
Detailed draft 2025 Cloquet EDA Work Plan.
Annual Report
2024 Cloquet Community Development Department Annual Report.
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