County to draft letter supporting local butcher shop project seeking state and federal funding

The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners agreed to draft a letter of support for a proposed 4,000-square-foot USDA-inspected butcher and retail facility after a presentation from owner Robert (Bob) Christiansen.

Christiansen told the board local farmers must currently truck livestock long distances for slaughter and then return with large quantities of un-refrigerated product; his proposed facility would include a 20x40 walk-in freezer, a slaughter and processing room and retail space to allow farmers to have animals processed and stored locally.

"We're already up to a million dollars in what we're gonna be investing in," Christiansen said, adding the business expects to hire four full-time employees and one part-time worker at the start. He said he was applying for federal and state grant programs and low-interest loans and asked the board for a letter demonstrating local need.

Commissioners asked for a draft that outlines local need and economic benefits; one commissioner moved to authorize staff to draft a general letter of support "with the narrative of the need, first and foremost, and then the service has been provided in the area." The board unanimously approved drafting the letter and bringing it back for final review before sending it with Christiansen's application.

Christiansen said he hopes to break ground in spring/summer 2026 and that he needs letters by March to support grant applications. The county will prepare a draft for his review and, with his approval, place the finalized letter on a future meeting agenda.