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Sheila Haverkamp
Executive Director
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Role in economic development
Sheila has played a key role in economic development projects in the Brainerd Lakes Area for nearly 25 years, facilitating and leading the economic development vision for the Brainerd Lakes Area. She is connected to decision makers and is dedicated to seeing projects through to completion.
Education and expertise
Sheila is a certified Economic Development Specialist and is recognized by local, regional, and state leaders for her knowledge in community and economic development. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance, Management and Marketing from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She regularly attends conferences and seminars related to her profession. Sheila is a wealth of information and has numerous contacts and networks in the Brainerd Lakes Area and beyond.
Professional affiliations/memberships
- Economic Development Association of Minnesota
- Positively Minnesota
- Region 5 Economic Development Network
- Brainerd Lakes Chamber
- Brainerd Rotary and Brainerd Rotary Foundation
Priority projects
Working on individual projects is important to Sheila. She has assisted with many projects and played an integral role in seeing them though to success. A few highlights include:
- Wausau Paper‘s $27 million investment in its Brainerd paper mill
- Lexington Manufacturing’s decision to locate its new fire rated commercial door plant in Brainerd instead of the metropolitan area
- Artspace’s $10 million investment for renovating a former junior high school into unique space for artists
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John Gunstad
Economic Development Specialist
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John uses his extensive background and experience as a small business owner along with his economic development expertise in assisting existing businesses within the Brainerd Lakes Area to prosper and grow. John also plays a key role in developing relationships that will help in attracting new business ventures to the area.
John attended the University of Minnesota Business School with an emphasis on Finance and Economics. John regularly attends conferences and seminars related to his profession. John calls upon his numerous business contacts for advice and assistance in bringing projects to a successful conclusion.
Professional affiliations/memberships
- Positively Minnesota
- Region 5 Economic Development Network
- Brainerd Lakes Chamber
Priority projects
John is the lead in the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation’s Business Retention and Expansion Program. This is a joint effort with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber to visit local businesses, thank them for their presence in our community, and learn more about them in an effort to better support them in the future. John also plays a key role - in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Brainerd - in offering business counseling to new and existing businesses within the area.