Reflections on the Ely Economic Development Authority at Ely for Ely

It’s long been said that Tuesdays are the best day of the week in Ely. Okay, typically, it’s just Lacey and I that say this. It is true, though, that Tuesdays are wonderful days to be an Elyite. This town has much to offer on what some suggest is the worst day of the week, from Tuesday Group to the Farmers Market, and now Ely for Ely. 

Ely for Ely, for those who don’t know, is one of the programs offered by Boundary Waters Connect. It includes an annual workshop in November and monthly gatherings, all on topics that relate to business and non-profit work. 

If Tuesday Group is about neighbors coming together to learn in the same room over lunch, then Ely for Ely is for co-workers (and neighbors) coming together to increase our capacity and skills over breakfast. The design is such that you can come, network, learn something new, and be on your way to your day by 9am.

In the month of August, we learned from John Fedo, former Mayor of Duluth and City Manager for Hibbing, at the Ely Economic Development Authority (EEDA) in the NEW Trailhead Building. This presentation started with an early preview of the Trailhead (a highlight for sure) and included information on the Trailhead project, the housing project in the works, and general information about the work of the EEDA in Ely.

Sometimes in our daily comings and goings it can be easy to lose sight of a few common sentiments: we all want a thriving town, many types of industry and business are needed and positive for Ely, and sometimes the dreams and images we have in our minds simply won’t work because of realistic constraints.

John illustrated these sentiments perfectly when describing the work it took to build the Trailhead. Years of planning, time, fundraising, meetings, and more went into this building. A building that serves as a location for hikers, bikers, ATV-ers, and snowmobilers alike, an intersection of several industries and recreational hobbies, all of which make Ely a great place to live and play. 

The new housing project slated for the same west end development that is home to the Trailhead will include rentable units at market rate prices. This was a decision the project team did not take lightly, explaining that every element of housing development includes cascading effects, from funding options to companies who will take on the project. 

But Ely is dependable, as John said, “We do what we say we’re going to do.” This unique community has a strong team of people working on these projects, hunting down opportunities and prospects, and ensuring that if you come to Ely, you’ll enjoy your visit, you’ll feel welcome, and you’ll get your money’s worth. 

Here is where one of the realities comes into play. John mentioned that it would be great if an industry or company created a couple hundred jobs in Ely, but that would not solve the housing shortage. Many of us have had the idea that an increase in industry would naturally lend itself to improvements in other sectors of our economy and life in Ely – such as financing for new housing developments. 

That is simply not the case.

John stated that the housing work is separate from any industry and job development because they are different sectors of the economy with different manners of functioning -- and of being funded. It’s challenging to secure private housing developers to build in Ely, since the return on investment is perceived to be lower in rural and remote places than it is in urban or suburban areas. Challenges associated with funding housing developments will not necessarily change with the addition or increase of industry in Ely. 

It was hard not to feel the impact of that truth while sitting in a beautiful new Trailhead building. One with the Ely logo proudly placed on the floor, just inside the door. We are indeed proud to live here, from those who were born and raised here to those who have relocated to this place – a town, a community, we love. What makes it a source of pride will be different for each of us, but we all we want this community to thrive and this to be a healthy place to grow roots.

John’s discussion of the importance of the Economic Development Authority continued, stating that the EEDA would love to investigate any opportunities to invest in, bring new business to, and increase the vitality of Ely community. He even said they would take suggestions and make the calls, set up the meetings, and hunt down the opportunities. Because at the end of the day, we all want a thriving community.

I did not know much about the Ely Area Economic Development Authority before this presentation. Not much of my work has placed me in the room with people who work on economic development prior to Boundary Waters Connect. But as a former teacher, I can say that we are all connected to each other through the community we have. 

Understanding our connection to each other, remembering in times of conflict or struggle that we all choose to be here at some point, and that we want this place and these people to thrive, gets us all one step closer to that goal.

Aaron Brown said at a Tuesday Group presentation a few weeks back, that the nostalgic heyday of Ely is past, but we can all be part of creating the next one. What if that industry is already in town? Maybe it isn’t? 

We don’t know, but we can celebrate the successes of the community, from the Trailhead to the new housing project, the many small businesses and nonprofits, graduations, and more, while looking for what the future might bring to our small town in the woods.