Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 3m Open Sponsorship topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Blaine EDA votes to expand 3M Open hospitality space and extend sponsorship through 2030
Summary
On Nov. 17, 2025, the City of Blaine Economic Development Authority directed staff to extend its sponsorship contract with the 3M Open through 2030 and chose the larger hospitality package (option 2), citing expanded networking and economic-development benefits; some commissioners raised budget concerns about the larger commitment.
On Nov. 17, 2025, the City of Blaine Economic Development Authority voted to direct staff to enter into a contract extending the city’s sponsorship of the 3M Open through 2030 and to pursue the larger hospitality package labeled “option 2,” which expands the city’s tent space and increases its daily ticket allotment.
Manager Eric Thorvig told the board the tournament requested the extension so the city’s agreement would match the PGA Tour’s 2026–2030 window. "So 5 additional years, which is fantastic," he said, and noted the original contract included about a 3% annual escalator. Thorvig said the EDA’s contribution in 2025 was "a little over a $125,000," and that roughly $200,000 per year in the EDA levy is currently unallocated and could be used to cover the city’s sponsorship commitment without increasing the levy.
That funding explanation framed a divided discussion. Commissioner Robertson moved adoption of option 2, arguing the expanded space would enable more structured programming and give city staff and business leaders better access to visiting developers and partners. "I would move option 2," Robertson said, adding that the tent week is an opportunity to revive larger economic-development events and roundtables.
Commissioner Newland opposed the larger package on budget grounds, saying attendance at the city’s suite is uneven and that the council should be cautious during ongoing budget deliberations. Newland cited figures on the order of "less than $700,000" for the smaller commitment versus "over $1,000,000" for the larger package, and said he would vote no.
Commissioners Ford and Fleming expressed support for option 2. Ford said he had initially opposed using tax dollars for the hospitality expansion but changed his view after seeing crowding and accessibility issues at the current space. Commissioner Larson asked how increased tickets would be allocated; Thorvig said staff would solicit EDA input on which days and which businesses to prioritize and noted past practices limiting tickets per person to reduce no-shows.
After brief additional remarks — including President Sanders’s summary of the tournament’s long-term return on investment for Blaine — Commissioner Robertson renewed the motion. The board took a voice vote; the transcript records at least one affirmative response and at least one negative response, and the presiding officer declared the motion carried. The board directed staff to proceed with contracting consistent with the chosen option, and the meeting adjourned.
Why this matters: EDA officials said the 3M Open’s hospitality and networking access has led directly to development contacts and projects the city now hosts, making the sponsorship a strategic economic-development tool. Opponents cautioned that committing multi-year levy funds reduces budget flexibility and should be weighed against other priorities.
Next steps: Staff was directed to enter into a contract reflecting the extension and selected option; the transcript does not record a finalized contract amount or a detailed implementation schedule.
