Dutchman Tree Service, an Ely-based professional tree cutting and removal company, launched last April and is poised for growth as it heads towards the one-year anniversary of operations. Owner Austin VanScoy utilized the services of Northland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) during his company’s startup phase. SBDC assisted VanScoy with business plan development, registering as an LLC, employee manuals, new hire onboarding, and website development to establish an online presence.

Dutchman’s service area spans roughly an hour radius around Ely. VanScoy and his two full time employees provide professional tree cutting, pruning, tree preservation, stump removal, land clearing, and storm damage clean up. Dutchman also performs hazardous fuels reduction, which is the process of thinning or removing trees and underbrush to reduce the risk of wildfires. VanScoy and his crew chip the removed trees and spread the mulch on the surface to create a barrier that holds moisture. Their clientele is currently residential. Future plans could include an expansion into the commercial market.

“Determining what structure my new business should be registered as was a key decision in the startup phase. Betsy Olivanti at SBDC helped me through the process of choosing an LLC,” said VanScoy. “As I began to hire employees Betsy connected me with Rovena Claxton, a human resources expert. Rovena helped me develop employee manuals and an internal process to onboard new staff. Betsy also connected me with marketing specialist Melissa Cox to help me develop a new website. All of their assistance was free of charge.”

Olivanti is a SBDC regional consultant and provides technical support to local businesses (existing and startups) such as business plan development, feasibility and financial analysis, market research, advertising and sales, loan packaging, strategic planning, accounting systems and e-commerce. Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation provided a Development Partnership grant to Northland Foundation to support an SBDC representative located on the Iron Range and designated to assist the Iron Range Quad Cities and surrounding area. (Northland SBDC brought on subject matter experts to assist small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. CARES Act funding enabled SBDC to add Claxton and Cox to provide local small businesses with no-cost marketing and human resources assistance.)

While VanScoy is new to owning a small business, he’s not new to the industry and has worked for the United States Forest Service and others doing professional tree cutting and removal in the Ely area and northeastern Minnesota. VanScoy and his wife have a young son and reside in Ely. He is a rural Illinois native who first moved to Ely to attend Vermilion Community College where he earned a degree in Wilderness and Park Management. He is also a certified EMT and volunteer firefighter.

“When living in Ely as a college student, I became very fond of the people and community of Ely,” said VanScoy. “My wife and I are extremely happy to be growing both our family and our business in northeastern Minnesota.”

Learn more about Dutchman Tree Service.

For SBDC business consulting services email Betsy Olivanti or call her at 218-228-8552, ext. 102. For Development Partnership grant information email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004.

Enterprise Minnesota will host a State of Manufacturing survey release event on Wednesday, March 30 at Lake Superior College in Duluth at 9:30 a.m.

The State of Manufacturing is the annual survey of Minnesota manufacturing executives that reveals the latest trends in key business areas including growth, workforce, supply chain, economic confidence and more. Each year, over 400 manufacturing executives are surveyed, representing a broad mix of manufacturers by region, employee count and annual revenue. 

Bob Kill, president and CEO of Enterprise Minnesota, will share the most recent State of Manufacturing analysis and insights from 13 focus groups with manufacturers. A Q&A with Kill and industry stakeholders will focus on what the results mean for northeastern Minnesota. 

The event, which is free and open to all, offers an excellent opportunity for manufacturers and affiliates, including educators, elected officials, economic development professionals, granting agencies and members of the media. There will be time for networking, and refreshments will be provided. 

Learn more and register for the State of Manufacturing event.

Email events@enterpriseminnesota.org with any questions.

Event sponsors are APEX, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation, Lake Superior College and Minnesota Power.

The city of Eveleth was awarded a Commercial Redevelopment grant to support the renovation of the former Wells Fargo building which was developed by Miners National Bank into a 2,900-square-foot multi-tenant retail and professional space. The newly remodeled Grant-Pierce Plaza is home to Coffee on Main, Sarah’s Salon & Spa, Miners Mortgage Center, New York Life Insurance and Annuity, and a state-of-the-art office and conference room that is available for public rental. “What began as a desire to refurbish an old building became our family’s goal to create a community gathering space through a coffee shop. Support from the people of Eveleth and neighboring cities has been overwhelmingly strong.” - Jerry Hoel, retired president and owner of Miners National Bank

The city of Ely was awarded a Commercial Redevelopment grant to support the expansion of Zup’s Food Market which transitioned their operations from an existing building into a larger redeveloped building within the main street corridor. Zup’s purchased the vacant Shopko building, expanded the footprint and transformed it into a 36,000-square-foot grocery store featuring groceries, dry goods, a fresh deli, catering service, butcher shop, apparel, a liquor store and pharmacy. “The people and city of Ely benefited immensely from this business relocation and expansion. We’ve now got a great retail outlet with a large variety of products and services. Plus, the former Zup’s building is now sold and under redevelopment which created new investment into the downtown area.” - Harold Langowski, Ely’s clerk-treasurer

Grant amounts vary and require a 1:1 match. Cities, townships, counties and tribal governments located with the agency’s service area are eligible.

Does your community have an upcoming commercial redevelopment project that needs internal or external demolition to support it? Learn more about Commercial Redevelopment grants. For more information email Chris Ismil or call him at 218-735-3010.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funds grants through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation invests resources to foster vibrant growth and economic prosperity in northeastern Minnesota. The Culture & Tourism grant will accept applications through March 31. The grant assists cities, townships, tribal governments and nonprofits by supporting strong arts, culture, history and recreational activities that enhance the quality of life and economy.

Past project examples include:

• Splash pad in three community parks: Aurora, Deerwood, Hibbing.
• Veterans history project: Itasca County.
• Wheel park: Ely.
• Native American cultural programming at sled dog marathon: Grand Marais/North Shore.
• Capital improvements to Finnish homestead museum: Embarrass.

Full applications should be submitted with all required documentation no later than March 31 in order to be considered for a grant. Learn more about the Culture & Tourism grant guidelines. For information email Danae Beaudette or call her at 218-735-3022.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funds its grants programs through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.