Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
North Star Line asks Crookston council for one-year extension on forgivable MIF award
Summary
At a public hearing, Bill Schramm, CFO of North Star Line LLC, asked Crookston officials for a one-year extension on the $100,000 forgivable portion of a Minnesota Investment Fund loan, citing equipment failures that delayed hiring; the company reports 17 employees versus the 21 required for full forgiveness.
Bill Schramm, who identified himself as chief financial officer of North Star Line LLC and a Crookston resident, told the council the company is seeking a one-year extension on the forgivable portion of a Minnesota Investment Fund award because operational problems slowed hiring.
“Currently on hand, we have 17 people employed,” Schramm said, noting the company’s original business plan targeted 21 employees. He said the project was scaled as a $15 million effort and that progress stalled after the manufacturer of a key biochar production unit went bankrupt, leaving the company to troubleshoot and potentially consider different equipment.
The extension request applies to the forgivable $100,000 portion of a roughly $430,000 Minnesota Investment Fund loan. Schramm said the company is asking for more time to resolve equipment and operational issues so it can reach the employment threshold necessary for forgiveness.
Council members and other attendees asked technical questions about biochar production and whether local wood waste, including ash from DNR-funded tree removals, could be used in production. Schramm described biochar as a high-temperature, low-oxygen process that sequesters carbon and produces material used for soil amendments and filtration; he said the company has been discussing use of local wood waste with forestry officials.
No formal council action on the extension was recorded in the transcript during the hearing. The chair opened and closed the public comment period following Schramm’s remarks and the council proceeded to other business.
