Tourism is area's bread and butter
The Brainerd Lakes Area has been Minnesota's playground for more than 100 years. With 465 pristine lakes, over two dozen golf courses, 100+ resorts and lodging options, and more recreational opportunities than you could imagine, the Brainerd Lakes Area is a must-see for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Tourism's service industry is a major economic segment here and has strong local support to ensure its vitality.
Accommodating visitors with a skilled workforce
During the summer, the population here swells to an estimated 300,000, when you add in tourists and seasonal residents. That requires a signficant service industry
workforce to handle everything from lodging to dining to retail and more. The Brainerd Lakes Area's workforce is educated, loyal, skilled and hardworking, as well as affordable compared to other areas throughout the state. With a strong employment base, skilled workers in the service area are plentiful here.
| Average Weekly Wage by Industry |
| |
Companies |
Employees |
Crow Wing |
MN |
US |
| All Industries |
2,170 |
27,009 |
$603 |
$871 |
$876 |
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
|
490 |
5,796 |
$489 |
$765 |
|
Leisure and Hospitality
|
256 |
3,782 |
$248 |
$327 |
|
Other Services
|
164 |
851 |
$289 |
$512 |
|
Source: Minnesota Dept of Employment & Economic Development, 2009 Annual Data
Source: Wage Data, 4Q, 2010 (MN DEED, OES)
Major employers thrive here
The Brainerd Lakes Area has an excellent reputation throughout the state and the Upper Midwest for its high quality of service and recreational opportunities. Some of the lodging properties, which are also the major service industry employers, are nationally recognized for their outstanding service. The high volume of visitors through this area also has created opportunities for new business, everything from home improvement stores to landscape nurseries to equipment rental shops.
Your first step: Contact BLAEDC today
If you're considering the Brainerd Lakes Area as a location for a tourism-related business, or you're thinking of expanding here, your first call should be to the
Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation. Let us help you get started. We're ready. Let's grow!
| Major Tourism Employers, Brainerd Lakes Area |
| |
Employees |
| Grand View Lodge |
700* |
| Madden's Resort |
500* |
| Breezy Point Resort |
350* |
| Cragun's Resort |
325* |
| Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge |
300* |
Source: BLAEDC Research, November 2010
* = May-Sept Averages