About Us
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Northspan began providing economic development consulting in 1985, and we now serve between 70-80 clients per year. We have a broad pool of services tailored to the needs, opportunities, challenges, hopes, and goals of each client. Our work is grounded in our values to be Inclusive, Trustworthy, Stewards, Adaptable and Diligent, our fee for service professional experience works to engage your constituency, embrace tough challenges, identify areas for growth, and chart a specific, strategic and tailored path forward to help you succeed. |
Vision
Engage & Elevate
Mission
To be expert navigators, transforming ideas into accomplishments.
CORE Values
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Adaptable: We have a broad range of expertise which enables us to seize new opportunities and tailor our offerings. Diligent: We deliver excellent service and clear results. Trustworthy: We earn loyalty by operating ethically, reliably, confidentially, and with integrity. Inclusive: We facilitate intentional engagement and seek common solutions to challenges. Stewards: We carefully manage the resources entrusted to us and focus on long-term well-being. |
Our professional staff are are experts at:
1. Building Relationships,
2. Facilitating Conversations, and
3. Inspiring Insight & Action
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Kiera Wilson
Park State Bank
PAST CHAIR
Jamie Adams
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
CHAIR
Mark Jeffers
Aitkin County
VICE CHAIR
Meg Thoreson
Arnson Solutions
TREASURER
Tamara Lowney
Itasca Economic Development Corporation
SECRETARY
Members at Large
Chris LaFleur
Serendipity Endeavors, Inc.
Zane Bail
Northland Foundation
Tom Werner
Duluth Airport Authority
Molly Solberg
MAS Marketing
David Copp
State of Minnesota, Togo Correctional Facility
Brian Bosley
National Bank of Commerce
Claire Peterlin
AspireNorth
OPEN POSITION
Seeking Applicants.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
STAFF TEAM
COOPER GRAHEK
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT
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JL Herbert
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANT & OPERATIONS MANAGER
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History
Northspan has been a behind-the-scenes force for economic development for more than 30 years. It was born in 1985 as a private, nonprofit organization to offer professional business and community development services. At the time, northeast Minnesota was reeling from a recession, record high unemployment, and a shrinking tax base.
Northspan’s founders chose its name to reflect its broad mission across the Upper Midwest and formed it as a private, nonprofit fee-for-service consulting group to nimbly address issues while remaining committed to its mission.
Northspan then built a team of professionals with broad capabilities that worked without limits imposed by geography or any professional field. Since its inception, Northspan has spearheaded regional partnerships, lent a fresh perspective, and built deep relationships in the communities it serves.
1980s
- Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Revolving Loan Fund Management Begins (1985)
- Northspan Offers Small Business Administration 7a Services (1985)
- Arrowhead Business Connection Created (1987)
- Minnesota Marketplace Created (late 80s)
1990s
- Upper Minnesota Film Office Created (1996)
- Carlton County Economic Development Committee Support Begins (1998)
2000s
- Aitkin Iron Works Infrastructure federal EDA application (2000)
- LTV Steel Crisis Response, Hoyt Lakes, MN (2001)
- Cirrus Expansion EDA Application (2002)
- Blandin Paper Company Crisis Response, Grand Rapids, MN (2003)
- Minnesota Community Capital Fund Relationship Begins (2003)
- City of Sandstone Technical Assistance Begins (2003)
- APEX Start-Up Staffing Assistance (2004)
- Arrowhead Business Connection Rebrand as Northland Connection & Website Launch (2005)
- Duluth Defense Base Realignment and Closure Adjustment Planning EDA Application (2005)
- Cloquet Business Park Infrastructure EDA Application (2006)
- Arrowhead Growth Alliance Relationship Begins (2007)
- Range Readiness Initiative Facilitation (2007)
- Duluth Heritage Sports Center EDA Application (2008)
2010s
- ARDC RLF Recapitalization (2010)
- Addition of Valuation and Succession Services (2010)
- Facilitation of Minnesota Power Community Advisory Panels Begins (2011)
- Go Cook County Facilitation Begins (2012)
- Boise Crisis Response, International Falls, MN (2013)
- NORTHFORCE Created (2014)
- Sandstone Business Park EDA Application (2015)
- Duluth 1200 Fund Technical Assistance Begins (2016)
- Addition of SBA 7a Loan Guaranty Sales (2016)
- GPS 45:93 Relationship Begins (2017)
- UPM-Blandin Crisis Response, Grand Rapids, MN (2018)
- East Range Joint Powers Board Relationship Begins (2018)
- Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative Created (2019)
2020s
- Covid-19 Relief Fund Administration Begins (2020)
- Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Community Engagement Facilitation (2020)
- Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator Facilitation (2021)
- Welcoming Community Programming Begins (2021)