CEDA reports grant activity and local projects to Itasca County board; Bowstring Airport bid came in over estimate
Summary
CEDA staff presented a Q2 report July 14 showing 3 grants submitted ($92,000), 3 under review ($825,000) and 3 awarded ($66,111), and highlighted local projects including Bowstring Airport bidding that exceeded estimates and trail development work in Nashwauk and Squaw Lake.
CEDA-contracted staff Tracy Hensley, Amanda Lamppa and Lisa Randall presented the organization’s second-quarter update to the Itasca County Board on July 14, summarizing grant activity, planning efforts and local project support.
The written materials and slides attached to the packet show that in Q2 the CEDA team prepared or contributed to three grant submissions totaling $92,000, had three applications under review totaling $825,000, and recorded three awards totaling $66,111. The presentation highlighted multiple community projects across county districts, including Bowstring Airport (one bid received that was 63% higher than the 2023 engineer’s estimate), work on Nashwauk Trailhead planning and DNR grant preparations, assistance on the Squaw Lake trail/bridge rest stop, and support for municipal projects such as the Hematite Coffee Shop renovation in Calumet.
CEDA staff said they are continuing county-wide trails study work, collecting tourism impact surveys and coordinating grant strategies with Blandin Foundation, IRRR and other local partners. The update was received as informational; no board action was recorded.
CEDA materials in the packet also note a planned Fly-In & Camp-Out at Bowstring Airport on Sept. 25–27, 2026 and other community events. The packet lists CEDA contact information for follow-up and states that at least 50% of contracted time is dedicated to economic development work under the county contract.
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