2019 Year in Review: Business Edition

Business: it may very well be what makes the world go around. It is also what makes our community grow. The following stories highlight the economic growth budding with our community.

Rockin’ Fitness

The sale of the wellness center building and Rockin’ Fitness business downtown was the first big local news of 2019. On Jan. 1, 2019, Elliott Belquist and business partner Evan Savageau purchased Rockin’ Fitness to run it as a private business. The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation built the fitness center in 2011 and previously operated it. NRABC Executive Director Amanda Hegland noted that Rockin’ Fitness is now a tax producing business, putting revenue into the city.

Daycare

As child care continued to be a hot topic in the community, Transcript Publisher Amy Wobbema paid a visit to in-home daycare provider Wendi Longnecker. Wendi utilized the Child Care Grant Program offered by the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation, which she says was helpful for purchasing needed items. Grantees are paid 20% upon approval, 40% at opening and 40% after six successful months in business.

Rock Inn

In June, Transcript reporter Rachel Brazil went onsite to the former USDA building to visit with new owners Travis and Amy Steele. The Steeles were renovating the site with the intention of running it as an inn. Rock Inn will offer eight guest rooms including four double queen rooms, two king rooms, one king two-room suite, and one king ADA-accessible room. Each room will be equipped with a full bathroom and a kitchenette. When asked for an update, the Steeles say that renovation continues, but to look for them to be open in early 2020.

CenDak opens fertilizer plant

Friday, Sept. 20 presented a milestone moment for CenDak Cooperative when the first truckload of fertilizer was unloaded into the cooperative’s new fertilizer facility that day. Now farmers can look forward to faster loading, custom blending and better supply right here in New Rockford. The facility is capable of unloading 200 tons per hour, making it possible to fill it in one day. Work on the facility commenced at the site in late fall 2018.

Thompson Apiaries

Thompson Apiaries, Inc. received the prestigious Member of the Year award from the Sioux Honey Association Cooperative. The award was presented at the cooperative’s annual convention in Sioux City, Iowa on Monday, Sept. 16. For the Thompsons, beekeeping is a family tradition. O.J. Thompson Apiaries was founded in the 1960s by Lonnie Thompson’s parents Orrin and Elaine Thompson. A native of Thief River Falls, Minn., Orrin became familiar with honeybees while working for his brother-in-law in the family’s beekeeping business. Orrin decided to strike out on his own after seeing opportunity in the New Rockford and Carrington areas.