Growth, Theme at Annual Economic Development Summit

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Detroit Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual Economic Development Summit, Friday .

Growth was a recurring theme throughout the morning at the Holiday Inn in Detroit Lakes that saw business and community leaders from across the Lakes Area listen to presentations from local leaders; SCORE, a business mentoring and development company; West Central Initiative; representatives from the city of Frazee and Detroit Lakes and a number of businesses that will be opening in the area this year.

Among those businesses is Bluebird Books which will be located in downtown Detroit Lakes and plans to open in mid-May, “I’ve been talking about opening a bookstore forever,” said Amy Erickson, owner of Bluebird Books. “Detroit Lakes is a perfect spot for it because we lost our only bookstore seven or eight years ago. I really think people love to have a community book store where you can go in and get recommendations and talk to people who also love books.”

Down the street in the old Hometown Crafts building, Bucks Mill Brewing plans to also open this summer. “We want to be a place where you can go and say that was really good beer. That’s what we’ve been doing the last couple years, perfecting our craft,” said co-owner Henry Van Offelen. The 9,500 square foot brewery will be family-friendly with a game room, and other amenities.

Meanwhile, amateur baseball is set to return to Detroit Lakes this summer as well. The Detroit Lakes baseball club will join the Red River Amateur Baseball League. Brandon Johnson will serve as the acting player-manager. The club plans to open the season, May 27 in Breckendridge.