Local view: Floodwood is not ‘on the brink’

Talk about it

The Floodwood Business and Community Partnership members would like to share another perspective than the one presented in the front-page article Nov. 17 (right), “Tight economy pushes small town to brink.” Our community is not necessarily “on the brink.”

The article was a topic of discussion in Floodwood all day long, and the consensus was that small towns are struggling. Business owners and local officials in small towns like Floodwood face daily battles to keep their doors open and lights on. We appreciate that this article brought this reality to the attention of lawmakers and citizens across Minnesota.

However, will small cities like Floodwood die? Absolutely not. Why? Because the people who live, work, own businesses and raise families in small towns won’t let it happen. The people of Floodwood are resilient. We’d like News Tribune readers to know we’re working diligently to stay strong during these tough economic times.

Some of the positives that have taken place recently include a new city hall and police station with a new motor-vehicle department. The new service is expected to add $12,000 in new revenue to the city of Floodwood. Our newly created business park will welcome its first tenant in the spring: a $1.5 million recycling plant. Three new businesses opened in 2011.

We just wanted the Northland to know the city of Floodwood is here, and we intend to stay. You can bet on it.

One a final note: despite tough economic times, a small town is still the best place to live and raise a family.

Jess Rich of Floodwood is president of the Floodwood Business Community Partnership Membership and wrote this on behalf of the group.

Tags: local view, opinion, editorials, floodwood, business, money