Grand Rapids
City to get aircraft parts manufacturing facility
Grand Rapids is getting a new aircraft parts manufacturing facility at its local airport, bringing an expected 20 full-time jobs with benefits and wages from $31,000 to $100,000.
The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board approved loans of $1.5 million to ACC Manufacturing Inc. and $293,000 to the Grand Rapids Economic Development Authority to help establish the site to produce parts for ACC's parent company, One Aviation Corp.
One Aviation produces Eclipse jets and is developing a turboprop plane called a Kestrel. Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft co-founder Alan Klapmeier is now chief executive of One Aviation.
pam louwagie
AUSTIN
Council votes against beer sales in grocery stores
There will be no beer sales in grocery stores and convenience stores in Austin, after the City Council last week narrowly rejected a proposal to relax its liquor laws.
The city had been urged by the Hy-Vee grocery chain and the Minnesota Grocers Association to allow sales of 3.2 beer in grocery and convenience stores. At the council meeting, several members spoke against the proposed ordinance.
"Retail's hard enough," said Council Member David Hagen. "Let grocery stores be grocery stores, and let liquor stores be liquor stores." Council Member Steve King pointed out the irony of considering such an ordinance when the city had just received a $1 million grant to study ways of curbing abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs.
"Grocery stores are where you get beer in most parts of the country," countered Council Member Michael Jordal. "Growing up in Iowa, I was used to seeing beer, and I don't think it turned me into a raging alcoholic. To me, it seems crazy that it's even a conversation."
