Business Finance Highlights: social enterprise in International Falls provides supportive employment

The pride of holding a job and doing a good day's work is something the general population often takes for granted. In the past, though, some adults – despite their potential to learn job skills and desire to work – were not widely perceived as employable. Today, with a greater public awareness of individual abilities and the persistence of organizations such as the Occupational Development Center, our region offers more opportunities for individuals of all abilities to get and keep a job.

The Occupational Development Center (ODC) was incorporated in 1971 to provide job opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Since then, ODC has established a dozen northern Minnesota locations, including Grand Rapids, Buhl, and International Falls in the seven-county Arrowhead Region. Last year, ODC served more than 800 clients with job placement, job coaching, advocacy, safety training, and career guidance.

Like countless businesses and nonprofits, the recession has strained ODC's resources, and the International Falls location was operating at a loss. Purchasing and updating its leased building, though, offered a way to improve efficiency and cash flow, retain jobs with benefits for 13 employees, and continue to serve more than 55 local clients. All ODC needed was financing to complete the deal.

The Occupational Development Center’s mission aligns closely with the Northland Foundation's interests in supporting opportunities for self-reliance and job creation and retention. Recently, the Business Finance Program closed on a loan to ODC in support of its building purchase.

“ODC’s future in International Falls looks much brighter with our plans to move forward with purchasing and updating our leased building. The favorable financing terms provided through the Northland Foundation allows us to save money and improve cash flow,” said Peter Lavalier, President/CEO of Occupational Development Center.

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The Northland Foundation approved financing totaling 357,500 to the following businesses and nonprofit organizations between February and April 2010. 

Superior Tech, LLC, Duluth

Aysta Water, Inc., Virginia

T&E Concert Services, Two Harbors

K&M Painting & Sandblasting/Wood Products, Babbitt

Figgins Transport LTD, Grand Rapids

The Northland Foundation's Business Finance Program offers flexible financing to new or existing businesses in the seven-county Arrowhead Region, with the goal of helping retain or create new, high-quality jobs and sustain economic vitality in northeastern Minnesota.