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y Rin Porter

Probably we can all agree that five yearso, in 2008, things were pretty bad in Todd

ounty, in the State of Minnesota, and in theS., economically speaking. The collapse ofe mortgage and housing industries, thear-bankruptcy of the leading banks, bank-ptcy and financial collapse of the autodustry, the widespread layoffs of people in

kinds of jobs these conditions broughte U.S. into a situation of economic chaoshich many experts said was nearly as bad

the Great Depression of the 1930s. Thesis devastated Rural Minnesota.In 2013, five years later, things are getting

tter across the U.S. In rural areas, how-er, improvements in wages and employ-ent have lagged behind metropolitan areas.

Information from the U.S. Bureau ofabor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. Censusureau (USCB), and the Minnesotaepartment of Employment and Economicevelopment (DEED), and other statisticalurces provide us with comparative infor-ation for conditions at the beginning of thereat Recession, compared to today.

LOOKING BACKIn 2007, Todd County had an estimated

opulation of 24,029 (USCB). There were41 employers. There were 2,203 firmsSCB), of which 1,910 were farms (2007

SDA Census of Agriculture).In July 2007, there were 11,617 people

mployed for pay (DEED), and 546 peopleere unemployed. The unemployment rater Todd County was 4.5%, according to thennesota Department of Employment and

conomic Development (DEED) while for theate of Minnesota it was 4.6%. The largestctor of employment in the county was man-acturing.

Income per person (2007-2011) was1,406, compared to the Minnesota per per-

n income in the same period of $30,310SCB). The average wage for a Todd

ounty worker in 2008 was $554, comparedthe average worker in the State of

nnesota, which was $909.CURRENT LOCAL CONDITIONS

In 2012, Todd County had an estimatedopulation of 24,509 (USCB). The USCBs not published the number of business

ms reported in the 2010 U.S. Census, ande USDAhas not released the 2012 CensusAgriculture. But DEED reports there were5 nonfarm businesses in 2013.

In July 2013, 12,009 people were

employed for pay, and 633 people wereunemployed, for an unemployment rate of5.0% (DEED). The largest sector of employ-ment was Education and Health Services,with 1,648 people employed. The averageweekly wage was $596 (DEED).

So if we look at employment, unemploy-ment, and average wages, compared to2007, things arent that bad in 2013. ToddCounty still lags behind the State ofMinnesota and all the metro areas, but thathas been true as long as there have beenstatistics kept.

According to http://cost-of-living.FindtheData.org, it costs less to live inRural Minnesota today than to live in any ofthe Minnesota Metropolitan Areas identifiedby the U.S. Census. (Minneapolis-St Paul,Rochester, St Cloud, Duluth). Housing cost ispegged at between $602 and $774 for familysizes from two to five in a Basic FamilyBudget. Other costs (food, childcare, taxesand other necessities) are calculated to belower than average, but healthcare andtransportation are higher than average.

Minnesota ranks 44th in minimum wagepaid, and has one of the lowest minimumwages ($6.15 per hour) in the U.S. The Stateof Washingtons is the highest at $8.67.

The Federal Reserve Bank ofMinneapolis estimates the cost of livingincrease in Minnesota between 2007 and2013 has been 12.5%. Average wages inTodd County have increased during thatsame period by 7%. So it is not surprisingthat many people feel they must continue tokeep their spending down. For many, theirincome is lower today than it was in 2013.For others, their pay might be the same oreven a little higher, but money today does notgo as far as it did in 2007, because the costof living has increased, especially costs forfood, utilities, fuel, and clothing.

WHAT ABOUT LOCAL TAXES?

Todd County local governments andschool districts are favorite targets for peoplewho believe that government costs are alarge part of personal budgets. Have proper-ty taxes gone up?

For one residential homestead in MoranTownship, property taxes have increasedslowly during the past seven years, since2006. This homestead was assessed$1,292 in property taxes (for all levies, includ-ing county, township, and school) in 2006,and $1,474 in 2013 an increase of $182, or14% over seven years, or roughly 2% peryear.

For one commercial building in downtownBrowerville, property taxes have increasedslightly between 2008 and 2012. In 2008,the owner was assessed $626. In 2009,property tax increased about 5%, to $660. In2010, taxes dropped over 11%, to $583.88.Then in 2011, property taxes increasedslightly, to $600.89. In 2012, they jumpedback to $667.80. But if you look at the five-year period, taxes increased from $626 to$667, a difference of 6.5%, or a little over 1%per year.

Todd County government expenses haveincreased 19% from the 2008 budget to the2013 budget. The 2008 budget listedexpenses of $22,472,720. The 2013 budgetlists expenses at 26,845,815. The countybudget includes expenses for roads andbridges, social services, public health, publicsafety, and many other costs, many of whichare mandated by the state and/or federalgovernment. Property taxes provide about45% of the countys income, with the rest(55%) coming from the state and federal gov-ernment.

BUSINESS COMINGSAND GOINGS

Local businesses that have closedrecently or are in the process of closing:Hometown Furniture and MikeysRestaurant, both in Long Prairie.

New businesses that have openedrecently in Browerville: Cherry Grove Market,Marys Country Porch, Knotty PineEmbroidery, Two Chicks on the Corner, OurNeck of the Woods.

NATIONAL ECONOMICINDICATORS

During the Great Recession of 2007-2010, new car and truck sales fell, as peoplelost their jobs and income dropped. Salesrebounded in 2011. (NADA)

Home values have dropped every yearsince 2006, according to

www.Forecastchart.com.The U.S. stock market began falling in

2008, and reached its lowest point in 2009.Since then, the market has rebounded.Earlier in Sept 2013, it hit a record high above15,675.

Currently, housing starts have dropped totheir lowest level in more than 50 years, sincerecord-keeping started in 1959. In 2012,781,000 new homes were built, down from1,341,000 in 2007. (www.forecast-chart.com

Natural gas prices have dropped since2008, when the price was $8.9 per million

ServingServing TTodd Countyodd County, MN, MN

VOLUME 23; NUMBER 1 - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2013 CIRCULATION 6,000

Country CourierThe economic situation in

Todd County: what are therecent trends?

FREE

Continued on page 4

Bear Country Mall in

Bertha offers many

opportunities

Many hand crafted Amish crafts are available.

By Rin Porter

Located on CR 23 just off U.S. 71 on Berthas south side, the Bear Country Mall is

doing well in its third year since opening.Many people are familiar with the Amish Country Co-op located there, but there arethree other businesses in the Bear Country Mall that offer opportunities for Todd Countyresidents and others just passing through.

Currently owned by Bob and Mary Larson, the Bear Country Mall opened its doorsin 2010. The first store, the Amish Country Co-op, is in the building previously usedas a mattress factory. At first, the Co-op sold just fresh produce raised by Amish fam-ilies, but then expanded to include the beautiful hand-made goods also produced bythe families.

Today, the Co-op offers magnificent large quilts, all possible sizes and shapes ofbaskets, rag rugs, woven rugs, potholders, placemats, aprons, and other hand-sewnitems.

Next to the Co-op is the Dollar Store, now in its third year of operation. BridgetWarner, who has managed the store for a year, says the store is doing well, filling aneed for local residents. The Dollar Store sells greeting cards, canned goods, partyitems, paper products, glassware, hair goods, health and beauty products, and manyother items, most for $1.00. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and

Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM.If you are hungry, you can get a delicious lunch at the Bar and Grill next to the DollarStore. The Bar and Grill offers both table service and liquor service with its on-salelicense. A fully-equipped commercial kitchen prepares burgers, sandwiches, fries,onion rings, chili, tater tots, and a variety of beverages, made and served by cooks, bar-tenders, and wait staff. The Bar and Grill is open Monday through Thursday from 11

AM to 11 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 1 AM.If you have a wedding reception, anniversary party, business meeting, professional

conference, or other event, the fourth business at the Bear Country Mall is available:Marlowson Event Center. The spacious Event Center can accommodate 300 peoplein its large central banquet hall, paneled in pale wood. The Event Center is air-condi-tioned and offers food service through the Bar and Grills kitchen, overseen by ChefTom London. Several smaller rooms serve private parties and provide space for smallgroup sessions during conferences.

Marlowson Event Center was preparing for the Wellness in the Woods First AnnualRural Wellness Conference on the day we visited. Executive Director Jode Freyholtz-London was busy completing the arrangements for the conference. About 150 people

were expected to attend the all-day event, featuring speakers from all areas of socialwork, counseling, mental health services, financial planning, and veterans issues.Freyholtz-London said her organization is based in Verndale and is designed to

serve rural people. Sponsors of the Rural Wellness Conference included theMinnesota Department of Human Services, Central Lakes College, KWAD/KNSPRadio, Tri-County Health Care, and Todd, Morrison, Crow Wing, and WadenaCounties.This fall, Wellness in the Woods will serve as MN-Sure Navigators, visitingeach community to help people sign up for MN-Sure insurance plans, effective Jan. 1,2014.

The Bear Country Mall is an example of a set of related businesses working togeth-er to serve rural Minnesota. The staff hope that more people will learn about it andcome for lunch and shopping.