Business News

A Boise Safety Milestone Award was recently presented to Good Samaritan Society-International Falls on behalf of Boise employees and local merchants that participate in the Boise Safety Milestones program.
The award came from the Boise Safety Awareness and Rewards Committee, which is responsible for receiving charity requests and making allocation. Good Samaritan Society sought a safety award grant to cover the cost of printing 500 "Safety In Your Home and Advance Directives" brochures.

Now in its third year under new management, the owners of Dragon China Buffet at 1901 Valley Pine Circle, say it was an unexpected opportunity that let them begin building their American dream in International Falls.
After working a year for the previous owner, Chen Yan said she was given to opportunity to buy the restaurant from her ailing uncle. Together with her father Chen Ming Hai, and mother Zheng Xiu Fang, they have run the restaurant daily ever since.

Airport receives grant
The Federal Aviation Administration awarded $742,445 to the Falls International Airport to purchase land for new approaches and to acquire new snow removal equipment.
More than $2.4 million FAA grants were awarded to municipal airports in the Falls, Tower, Silver Bay, Moose Lake, Princeton, Rush City, Aitkin, Pine River, Longville, and Little Falls/Morrison County-Lindberg Field.
The funding will be used to upgrade and maintain airport facilities, as well as purchase equipment to assist with airport operations.

Many restaurants, hotels and laundromats are posting welcome signs to the boilermakers and contractors involved in a Boise Inc. temporary shutdown that started Sunday and runs through May 22.
Many businesses are posting signs to let workers know about special and extended hours to accommodate their stay.
The annual shutdown is the only time the company temporarily suspends operations to refit boilers and repair other equipment essential to operations. The 17-day shutdown affects the integrated paper mills on both sides of the border.

Rising gas prices are straining budgets in Borderland, while analysts are split on how high the prices will climb.
Both Koochiching County and International Falls, as well as businesses that depend on travel, are affected by the rising prices. The area’s Conventions and Visitors Bureau is also concerned about the rising gas prices affecting tourism in the area.
The national average price of a gallon of regular gas was $3.61 Tuesday, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.

Boise Inc. officials reported recently that leadership changes have been made in the company in an effort to sharpen its focus on financial performance.
“These changes reflect the next stage of our strategy,” CEO Alexander Toeldte said. “They will also enable us to work with a higher sense of urgency to profitably execute our strategy in the face of increasing input costs and to sharpen the focus on our customers.”
Boise Inc. will continue to run the company with two overall profit centers: packaging and paper, according to a news release issued this week.

The Falls Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet Friday and honored seven local business and individuals for outstanding service.
Ward Merrill was named Citizen of the Year; Good Samaritan Society received large business of the year; Domino’s Pizza was named the Small Business of the Year; Rose Garden Restaurant received Entrepreneur of the Year; Phyllis Karsnia received the Lifetime Achievement Award; Betsy Loop receives the Customer Service Award for an Individual; and City Drug was selected for the Customer Service Award to a Business.

Hardee’s Food Systems named the International Falls restaurant as the Franchisee of the Year for 2007.
Dave and Cindy Peterson, owners, received the honor for stellar performance April 22 from Hardee’s CEO Andy Puzder at the company’s annual franchisee meeting and banquet in Saint Louis. 

Hardee's Food Systems has 3,067 franchised restaurants in 42 states and 13 countries, including 1,141 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,926 Hardee’s restaurants. 

Borderland Jewelry marked a quarter century of business in the Falls in April.
The business will conduct a two-day anniversary event from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10 at its 324 Third Street location.
Representatives from the businesses’ diamond distributors will be present.
Owner Rob Trompeter said he is pleased with the growth and expansion of his business, but more that, he has been able to succeed in doing something he loves and in his hometown.

Farm Bureau Insurance is under new management.
The 10-year old office in the International Falls Mall has new faces to serve the community. The business will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during this transition and by appointment for the other days of the week.
“We fully intend to expand our hours to full time soon and we appreciate our clients patience during this transition,” Paul Chapman, who has acquired the Falls office and will divide his time with his Virginia office.