[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6247627,"mediaKeyId","3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943","parentId",3212686,"title","Beltrami Extension reports staffing additions, 4‑H activity and upcoming fairgrounds work","audioSeconds",557,"startMs",3138000,"endMs",3695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943&start=3138&end=3695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943/thumbnail_3138000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6247627/Beltrami-County/Minnesota/Beltrami-Extension-reports-staffing-additions-4H-activity-and-upcoming-fairgrounds-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247627-8e1284bb930266bb22348eb7baa71f8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142774&Signature=hnn5Twffw3s9KwH8vSEQ2-GImx3eOcYrInZ707CQdeY6OSZRDHmkxJjU1NkvZYPeiARyjeDp~es5ZMx~fUQ4XSGbOecighhNodd5LdQYyC9ryc1oBMT67oswWcovUYu~WhyP2ocTlBNmQdwbjU56c59BKFq0bT4J1vDCrrINHK6w2CPSqCmfZO6P4ypxVEgqjziiuXvQMqwAzmZfD2isdMvpmrlVPnbCXWSvJepkVRV8RQy0AmEkjhKoz42xT7HaHM0tios0Zrd7GFQjc-23l3NlFGtkFdoFWDwpZmnPuR9ZBMJCxiKUD8~Cr-z4SwIDxVQUxwyM6vMrcihc0dNjfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Beltrami County, MN","date","2025-05-07T16:23:01.707Z","article","County Extension staff updated the Beltrami County Board on staff changes, programming and facilities ahead of the summer season.

Tony Hansen, regional director for the Beltrami County Extension Office, introduced staffing changes and program highlights: two SNAP‑Ed health-and-wellness coordinators are now serving the county; Ashley Rohrer joined as the county 4‑H extension educator in March; and part‑time support staff Kim assists at the office.

Rohrer introduced herself to commissioners and described county 4‑H activity including clubs’ community projects and upcoming fair events: \"I've only been here since March, but getting my bearings, and I'm super excited to be involved and grow this program,\" she said.

Hansen said the Beltrami County Master Gardeners remain active and that the office supports outreach such as a spring garden party and a May 17 plant sale at the fairgrounds. He also noted a Fairgrounds Road Northwest pavement project already underway that will shift access during the summer but is expected to be completed before the county fair.

Hansen described the Master Naturalist program, run by University of Minnesota Extension, which certifies volunteers after a 40‑hour course and asks for 40 hours of annual volunteer service; he said Beltrami County had 20 active Master Naturalists in 2024, seven of whom reported 1,694 volunteer hours valued at about $61,000.

Staff flagged a shared security system at the extension center that may need longer‑term updates, and, per the packet, SNAP‑Ed coordinators Eve and Nate will provide a fuller report this fall. Commissioners thanked staff and had no further substantive actions recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beltrami County Work Session 5-6-25","oneSentenceSummary","Beltrami County Extension staff introduced a new real-estate department employee and a new 4‑H educator, outlined SNAP‑Ed staffing, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist activity, and noted a fairgrounds road pavement project affecting access before the county fair.","taxTitle","Beltrami County, Minnesota","taxId",51987,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247632,"Mississippi Headwaters Board briefs commissioners on planning authority, easements and outreach",464,2491000,2955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943&start=2491&end=2955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943/thumbnail_2491000.jpg","/articles/6247632/Beltrami-County/Minnesota/Mississippi-Headwaters-Board-briefs-commissioners-on-planning-authority-easements-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247632-fdb341f5273de3dc9980054412f9271c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142774&Signature=S2oWjP3Z4~ohHYaEeJK6M5HVu-C56kWQ~xVJuN2YyWcVqf8De39KtqcbNAqr4tPrvBrlc1bkhpxMuqCqlXWXlTkdRwVbnKGYG1gcaG1AXpW5nzzjJ6YcCbkmP3xrlDpDN9n9tQpb1iY0rjTafcngjDXmm4-27BVZMQf4QBoT7xZ6GWzMpAKX0d0rC0NYnf-JlCFEFXDGTORi4zZg5h4XpMg2zfO4bQQpmseOkwR4Lg8qQUuLBAXoy9v~d1jB2i948znJnbtdy-4tWj7VOjptj-AsCEzUhHcGwfTXekjCrNTvqEUX91KQH5nVuWKvg5Udm6q1KfCjjesl6a2pTt~4MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The executive director of the Mississippi Headwaters Board told the Beltrami County Board that the agency holds planning and zoning authority over the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River and highlighted recent easement work, outreach, and signage projects.

\"We possess planning and zoning authority on the first 400 miles of the Mississippi River,\" Tim Terrell said. He described the board as a governmental regulatory body that also conducts voluntary grant-funded work in water quality and recreation.

Terrell outlined the board’s easement and land-acquisition program, explaining the difference between selling development rights (an easement) and transferring property ownership. He described a project that began in 2016 and emphasized coordination with counties and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for acquisitions and management agreements.

The board also described public-facing efforts: a Minnesota Traditions social-media program that the director said has about 55,000 followers and a signage project that places river-access signs with QR codes and trip-time guidance at high-visibility river accesses. Terrell said the QR-code signage generates timestamped scans HRB staff can share with local partners to estimate recreational usage and local economic activity.

Terrell also mentioned the Lake Irving stormwater-retention project and a donated $50,000 opportunity fund contribution that supported local acquisition and protective measures. He said the board runs a biennial conference and that county commissioners are invited.

Commissioners asked a few questions about the conference and costs; Terrell said the biennial conference is free to counties. He concluded by encouraging counties to coordinate with the board on acquisitions and planning.","The Mississippi Headwaters Board told Beltrami County commissioners about its unique planning-and-zoning authority on the first 400 river miles, easement and acquisition work, public signage and a social-media outreach program with about 55,000 followers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247637,"HRDC outlines housing, transportation and local-food initiatives including Conifer Transit expansion",263,3996000,4259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943&start=3996&end=4259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943/thumbnail_3996000.jpg","/articles/6247637/Beltrami-County/Minnesota/HRDC-outlines-housing-transportation-and-local-food-initiatives-including-Conifer-Transit-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247637-a5f826ad86712d37713a2b4b9dc79866/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142774&Signature=Rq1BJUzp9UzK7NrrEZDybBHV3uzc2Hlg8ZuctCrlACopkQJOcAB2gvr0ujsIts3FmSzVPbsG1sytnbjQScn~gCMGU8z6uRLPRhaS65OFrgWR0cKnRx-hBK~8kwzPWjnT5dFCLGdbW44dhM5WQWEu7dyjqnbgLV66XD0e6gDeYxmpyXFtuZ7JzcPYf89szfp68ADEOuRxTT--xeCfg5YN9wEpanyrqJgKcRxWlYekAJJLniAGODV1sEvF~mZRcfdTdgF6gBG8G2UiZMDsEwgBZ0yEa02wfGmQ~~5LIB20TjC9omDijezHAC7HdxL8FCQZJxWL~O-OLx24L35W4KqIIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC) briefed the Beltrami County Board on economic-development lending, transportation grants, transit pilots and local-food initiatives during the work session.

Sean Moran described HRDC’s Headwaters Regional Finance Corporation, a nonprofit subsidiary that manages a revolving loan fund with a capital base around $6.8 million and roughly $2.5 million available for loans. \"If there's a business that wants to come to Beltrami County, expand in Beltrami County, or is even struggling in Beltrami County, you can send them my way,\" Moran said.

HRDC reported several transportation awards and programs: a $770,000 award for the Fifth Street Trail from Jefferson to the high school, a carbon-reduction program allowing recycled-asphalt use on a local road (about $700,000), and ongoing Safe Routes to School planning, including forthcoming work in Red Lake. Mobility Manager Tammy Hagen described a Conifer Transit operating pilot created to complement existing public transit service; HRDC said it provided 1,344 rides and transported more than 2,000 passengers in its first 75 days with one vehicle and driver.

\"We came up with an alternative, complimentary...option for individuals that live at Conifer Estates, Conifer Villas, and East Conifer,\" Hagen said, and HRDC reported a recent grant award to expand the pilot for two more years, extending hours and scope.

HRDC staff also briefed the board on housing programs: multiple down-payment-assistance loans covering Beltrami County and a first-generation assistance product that can offer up to $32,000 forgiven over five years; rehabilitation and emergency repair loan products for low-income homeowners were also described.

On local foods, HRDC’s community development staff said the agency is coordinating growers, school food-service directors and other partners to expand healthy local-food purchases by schools, host monthly meetings for emerging farmers, and assemble a regional local-foods directory to support market access.

HRDC invited county staff and commissioners to follow up for project referrals, loan applications, and local planning coordination.","Headwaters Regional Development Commission staff briefed the Beltrami County board on revolving loan funds, active-transportation grants, a $770,000 Fifth Street Trail award, Conifer Transit expansion and local-food programs supporting schools and growers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247642,"Beltrami commissioners set budget priorities as state cost shifts loom; committee named to craft FY26 plan",232,3186000,3418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943&start=3186&end=3418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6247642/Beltrami-County/Minnesota/Beltrami-commissioners-set-budget-priorities-as-state-cost-shifts-loom-committee-named-to-craft-FY26-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247642-d2f4db11f5f28b3a9071e90d516920c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142774&Signature=apz~zd2kyPVGDX3PMlxy2dYBQed8XnHo1-Z7u6ZTqoDpqKF1FguSDVttgC-qvmz~Cc651SdZCcMC9XxGWkjDMXlELWtRjlxs6j5LVhkceg7N9ZaYaGncCsTD9r4YbPwMmI0rvM0s1kT54EDRns1FXCOPeWWgXBjUGc2F0kQox8TNR68LPma5BXagW5etNe1GWeLLKaw6v98zz~mD7MRh2ABQtoTlMvLZi6yfTpxssKl4PhaTdNblFgaWRnDA9layPJEcfPbfj17vUCPOtehV6s-kn6ohpWSRRyc1tOpMT1sW9b-wBlCu-zjdXUNi3H-WUD0O1csHBJkKBMkK89~xJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beltrami County officials told the Board of Commissioners on Wednesday that the county must prepare for large state-driven cost shifts and asked the board to give early policy guidance ahead of the FY26 budget process.

County Administrator Tom Barry said state and federal reductions and shifting of program costs to counties are the main drivers of uncertainty. \"When those federal and state sources of funding get reduced, they have a much more amplified impact on our budget,\" Barry said, noting only about one-third of the county budget comes from property taxes.

Barry presented a draft set of budget principles and priorities for board direction. The recommended principles include prioritizing mission-critical, county-run services; identifying new revenue or fee adjustments to improve cost recovery; preserving staff compensation progress; lengthening capital-replacement schedules where reasonable; and smoothing state funding reductions across multiple years.

Barry ran through modeled levy impacts tied only to anticipated human services changes: \"Just for health and human services, we're anticipating anywhere in the next biennium of having to, absorb... anywhere from $700,000 to $1,700,000,\" he said, which staff estimated could translate to a 2.5%–6% levy impact in the first biennium and an additional 7%–10% impact in the next, depending on state action.

Commissioners discussed targets and asked staff for scenario work. Commissioner Jared Winger volunteered as a board representative on the budget committee; Commissioner John Carlson also volunteered. \"If you could tell us, for example, look, we don't want the levy to be any more than 10% this year, that would be helpful for us,\" Barry said, asking for concrete guidance to shape early budget drafts.

Board members said they prefer to avoid double-digit levy increases if possible; several advocated for keeping the levy increase at or below 5 percent in a normal year, while acknowledging state action could make that impossible. The board asked staff to separate the county’s typical operational increases from state-driven impacts so the public can see what portion of any levy change is due to underlying county costs versus state shifts.

The board agreed to meet in a budget committee in August and named two commissioners to the committee. Staff said they will return with budget scenarios, proposed targets, and recommended adjustments for formal direction at upcoming meetings.","County administrators presented draft budget principles and warned of large state-driven cost shifts that could push levy increases into the high single digits or double digits; commissioners appointed representatives to a budget committee and asked staff for targets and scenarios.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6247646,"Beltrami commissioners hear request to sponsor West Fraser job-creation grant for $137 million mill upgrade",187,2868000,3055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943&start=2868&end=3055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3212686-e3841d152f8573977dfa18aab324e943/thumbnail_2868000.jpg","/articles/6247646/Beltrami-County/Minnesota/Beltrami-commissioners-hear-request-to-sponsor-West-Fraser-job-creation-grant-for-137-million-mill-upgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6247646-0b8e7de93b937715e0b1679d59774ee2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142774&Signature=AnUVlZs4DqL-7YWrxOMa-uPXFh0VDC3D4jSSzIQBqsqknUEmJpA6F6mQZSgAQ6FNp4PhVRjiQGHstEHEiH1t1NwweQUdfi4hpolm3mlzQhIrli8y~KHAJ1th2TwHHRNdvqzmP4O1pBmemeWXzuCprYJi1YdF4PExvux3j2Rs8kvcnwoNv8bnq1GLBYLvRvo1RvfamxbxtYbW8akAGO~Vmttso3jMX51MgAM-ttRf6bufikxmUoTehvUReU2vEC-GorcbpB7B4ogVbUTJkhEuX0xcEOoo42jYAepAzo7N7ObQtIgg7cKrMAXLRQDFNuS73zsrn1F9yBPIcursWD5gzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","West Fraser representatives told the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday that the company plans a roughly $137 million renovation of its local mill and asked the county to sponsor a state Job Creation Fund application to help secure a preliminary incentive from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The request matters to county officials because, company representatives said, the investment would modernize aging equipment at the plant and signal a long-term commitment to local operations. \"We make a substantial investment of about 137,000,000 to renew about a third of the mill,\" Jeremy Buck said during the presentation.

The company representative described the project as a phase 1 investment focused on energy efficiency and pollution controls, including replacing five old burners with a single new system that would run on residuals rather than natural gas and installing a large rotary dryer. \"We're taking out 5 old antiquated burners. We're putting in 1 new burner, and it'll all run on residuals and, no natural gas usage for that,\" Buck said.

County staff and presenters said West Fraser directly employs 32 people at the facility and that the plant supports additional indirect jobs locally. County staff described the mill as older and in need of capital: \"the mill is the oldest plant in their portfolio,\" a county economic development presenter said, characterizing the investment as important for jobs and the local tax base.

Company and county representatives said DEED has preliminarily estimated an incentive of up to $1.25 million from the state Job Creation Fund, which requires a sponsoring governmental resolution. County staff circulated an updated draft resolution containing findings DEED requested, including that the project be in the public interest, would not be likely to occur without public support, and would reduce energy use and emissions.

No formal vote on a sponsorship resolution is recorded in the work session transcript. County staff explained the Job Creation Fund pays on performance and that state audits and payment timelines are managed between DEED and the company, not the county.

County Administrator Tom Barry and board members asked technical and procedural questions during the presentation; commissioners expressed support for the mill’s continued operation but did not record a formal vote during the meeting.

If the county later adopts a sponsorship resolution, the state program’s structure means payments would be disbursed only after the company meets performance requirements and state audits confirm results.

The board can expect additional paperwork and, if the county elects to sponsor, a formal resolution on a future agenda.","West Fraser representatives asked the Beltrami County Board to sponsor a state Job Creation Fund application tied to an estimated $137 million capital upgrade at the county’s wood products mill; no formal county vote was recorded in the work session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Beltrami Extension reports staffing additions, 4‑H activity and upcoming fairgrounds work

Mississippi Headwaters Board briefs commissioners on planning authority, easements and outreach

HRDC outlines housing, transportation and local-food initiatives including Conifer Transit expansion

Beltrami commissioners set budget priorities as state cost shifts loom; committee named to craft FY26 plan

Beltrami commissioners hear request to sponsor West Fraser job-creation grant for $137 million mill upgrade