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EDA approves Taconite Harbor RFP; committee to include Minnesota Power and Schroeder Township representatives
Summary
The Cook County EDA approved a strategic‑plan request for proposals for Taconite Harbor and directed staff to allow flexible posting/response dates, require proposer timelines and expand the selection committee to include key partners.
The Cook County Grama Economic Development Authority approved a request for proposals (RFP) for a strategic plan for Taconite Harbor at its March 18, 2025 meeting and directed staff to build partner representation into the proposal review process.
The EDA’s Taconite Harbor subcommittee prepared an RFP package the board described as comprehensive. Commissioners discussed how long to leave the RFP open for responses and agreed to reset response windows from the date the RFP is posted rather than fix a calendar deadline. The committee recommended about 21–30 days for proposals followed by roughly a week for initial evaluation; staff was given discretion to adjust timelines as needed.
Public comment and committee composition
Bruce Martinson, chair of the Schroeder Township Board, spoke during public comment and asked that Schroeder Township and Minnesota Power be explicitly allowed to participate on the RFP review/evaluation subcommittee. He said the RFP text named the EDA’s Taconite Harbor Committee as reviewers and requested Minnesota Power provide a regional development representative to the subcommittee.
The EDA discussed inclusion of partners and agreed that adding a representative from Minnesota Power and Schroeder Township to the selection panel would be appropriate; commissioners said listing those partners in the RFP would broaden buy‑in and help ensure necessary expertise early in the process.
Scope and evaluation criteria
Commissioners asked that the RFP require proposers to include a clear, high‑level timeline for their proposed work (a Gantt chart by quarter was suggested as sufficient detail) and a narrative describing approach, stakeholders and deliverables. The EDA also discussed how to compile and circulate a recipient list and recommended posting the RFP on public sites (for example, statewide economic development association pages) and on the EDA website to broaden the pool of respondents.
What happens next
Staff will compile an official recipient list, post the RFP and circulate it to partner organizations and consultant networks. The board asked staff to report back after posting and to include the selection timeline and committee membership in the record. The EDA expects to allow a roughly three‑week response window from posting with staff discretion to extend review time if scheduling requires it.
