Sales Up 37 Percent in 2017 for Baudette Based Company, ANI Pharmaceuticals

Article credit: Twin Cities Business
Photo credit: Mike Hovde, Northern Light Region

“Baudette-based ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. posted strong growth in 2017 with its annual revenues climbing to $176.8 million – a 37 percent increase over its prior fiscal year.

ANI develops, manufactures and sells generic and branded pharmaceuticals. Its revenues have increased 488 percent since 2013 when it posted sales of $30.1 million.

Generic drugs account for 67 percent of ANI’s sales. Sales of generic pharmaceuticals climbed to $118.4 million for 2017, a 24 percent increase from the previous year. But ANI’s sales of branded pharmaceuticals nearly doubled, reaching $50.9 million – a 93 percent increase compared to 2016. The company’s contract manufacturing business grew to $7 million, a 27 percent uptick.

However, the new federal tax law took a bite out of the company’s bottom line.

ANI reported a net loss of $1.1 million for 2017 compared to a net profit of $3.9 million in 2016. According to the company’s statement: “The net loss was primarily due to a $13.4 million charge recorded as a result of the re-measurement of our net deferred tax assets in relation to the tax rate decrease established in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017.”

ANI went public through a reverse merger in 2013. On Monday, the company’s stock closed at $57.55 per share, down 2.6 percent from a year ago. In the wake of its earnings announcement, ANI’s stock was up more than 6 percent in early afternoon trading.

ANI is based in the small northern Minnesota city of Baudette, which borders Canada and has just over 1,000 people living within its city limits. Although it’s publicly traded, the company often flies under the radar and does not draw much attention in its home state. But ANI is now larger than some better-known Minnesota companies such as Famous Dave’s of America Inc.; the Minnetonka-based barbecue restaurant chain had revenue of $99.2 million in 2016.

Twin Cities Business took an in-depth look at ANI in 2015.

ANI is forecasting revenue in the range of $212 million to $228 million for 2018.”

Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Funds Available

The city of Baudette has funds remaining for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Small Cities Development Program (SCDP). The funds are for eligible residents with qualifying incomes located within the City limits to make necessary repairs to their residences. Eligible repairs include roofing, windows insulation, deck and/or step repair and more!

The funds are provided as a 0% deferred loan. If all program requirements are met, the loan will be forgiven after 10 years!

If you are interested in applying for these funds, please contact Levi Haar at 218-333-6530 or via email at lhaar@hrdc.org to receive an application!

Northern Light Region Wins Award

Northern Light Region wins award in MNA’s

The Northern Light Region staff attended the 151st Annual Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention, held last week, January 25-26, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

At the awards banquet held Thursday night, the NLR was presented an award in the Typography and Design Category. The newspaper took home the second place award in that category among weekly Minnesota newspapers having a circulation of 1,501 to 2,500.

Newspaper staff also receive training in a variety of areas during the convention. The Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) is the voluntary trade association of all general-interest newspapers in the State of Minnesota, acting on behalf of the newspaper press of the state, representing its members in the legislature and in court, managing local/regional/national newspaper advertising placement, operating a press release service, and working to enhance the quality of the state’s newspapers.

Article & photo credit: Northern Light Region

2019 World Ploughing Competition

Lake of the Woods, MN Chosen as the Site of the 2019 World Ploughing Competition

Baudette, MN  (November 29, 2017)  Lake of the Woods in northern MN has been chosen as the site of the 2019 World Ploughing Competition.  Competitors, judges, dignitaries, and spectators from 32 different countries will attend the event taking place August 30-31, 2019 in Lake of the Woods County, MN.

“Lake of the Woods Tourism and the entire community are very excited and honored to be hosting this international event,” explains Joe Henry, Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism.  “It is an honor for Minnesota and for our area to represent the U.S. to such a diverse and international group of visitors.”

The World Ploughing Organization has roots dating back to 1954.  The world competition is held in a different country each year with this year’s event in Kenya, the 2018 event in Germany and 2019, the U.S.   The USA and World Ploughing Organizations considered numerous U.S. locations for the 2019 competition with Lake of the Woods being chosen the host site representing to the rest of the world.

Lake of the Woods is known for its world class fishing, hunting, and other outdoor opportunities.  Most people don’t recognize this region as agricultural.  “Lake of the Woods County actually has over 40,000 acres of agricultural land.  Farmers in this region grow a variety of crops including rye grass, soybeans, canola, sunflowers and more.  The area is a top producer of rye grass seed that is shipped worldwide and is often used at the finest golf courses in the southern U.S.”

John Gaard, President of the USA Plowing Organization says, “The USAPO is extremely excited for Lake of the Woods to host the 2019 World Ploughing Competition.   The USA last hosted the World Ploughing Competition in 1988, so we look forward to our ploughing friends from around the world coming back to the USA and experience the warm hospitality and superb ploughing conditions that the Lake of the Woods area has to offer.”

Competitors utilize tractors and ploughs for the competition but are not allowed the use of modern technology such as a gps.  Conventional and Reversible ploughing are scored using various criteria including straightness, weed control, crown, uniformity and finish just to name a few.

In the agricultural world, ploughing is a big deal and has strong interest.  It is anticipated large crowds will attend the competition, some coming from across the world, others driving from the Midwest or Canada.  Following the two day world competition, the U.S. Nationals, Antique, and other competitions will be held.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.  For more information, contact Joe Henry, Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism at 320-260-7727 or by email at joe.henry@lakeofthewoodsmn.com.

More details on the 2019 World Ploughing Competition at www.LakeoftheWoodsMN.com.

Two New Therapists at CHI LakeWood Health

CHI LakeWood Health in Baudette recently welcomed two new providers to its Therapy Department, Kyle Yoder, Physical
Therapist and Kelly Yoder, Physical Therapist Assistant. Kyle and Kelly began doing traveling physical therapy work in
Baudette several months ago. Since that time, they have both felt a connection to the community, staff, and patients andhave decided to make Baudette their home.
Kyle graduated from Manchester University in North Manchester, IN with a degree in exercise science and has a Doctor of
Physical Therapy from Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN. He is certified by the Minnesota and Indiana Board of Physical Therapy.
Kelly was born and raised in Goshen, Indiana. She graduated from Goshen College, IN with a degree in Biology and is a
graduate of the Physical Therapy Assistant program at the University of Indianapolis, IN. She is certified by the
Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. Please help us welcome Kyle and Kelly to our community!

Fundraising Campaign

Fundraising campaign kicks off to reel in money for new Willie Walleye

Article credit: Northern Light Region

The City of Baudette made it official at the Monday evening meeting to enter into a contract with Rose City Incorporated, the firm chosen to construct an all new fiberglass Willie Walleye statue.
The new statue, which the company hopes to have completely installed by June 15, 2018, will be constructed to be as close to a duplication of the current Willie Walleye in length, girth, style, etc.  The city will retain ownership of the new mold so that there will never be another “Willie Walleye.”
The council began discussions late last year when the statue began to crumble and it was becoming clear that something had to be done to make more than just repairs to Willie.
With the decision to replace the original statue, comes expenses for the city and that’s where the fundraising will come into play.
The Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the City of Baudette and will act as the chief fundraising organization for the cause.
“We’re very excited to be a part of this,” said Chamber President Mike Hovde.
“We look forward to helping raise the funds that will give our famous fish a fresh look and make sure Willie will be welcoming visitors for years to come.”
According to the agreement between the city and Rose City Inc., the cost for technicians to visit Baudette to prepare for mold prep work for the duplication of the statue, construction of the statue, freight to ship the new statue from Sparta, Wisconsin to Baudette, as well as installation of the new statue including new footings comes with a price tag of $79,797.50.
In addition to those costs, the city will be responsible for costs associated with the removal of the current statue by May 14, 2018 as well as demolition and disposal of the statue along with the removal of the current footings.
Taking all those costs into consideration, the Chamber and the City decided to set a fundraising goal of $110,000.
The City of Baudette has already put up close to $40,000 for a down payment on the new statue. Much of that money came from a Willie Walleye fund that the city kept for routine repairs and paint jobs.
In the end, the fundraising campaign’s goal is to help cover the costs as well as leave the city with some funds to replace at least some of the fund that will be needed for future upkeep of the new statue.
There will be a need to “wax” the new fiberglass structure to help keep the paint job lasting for years.
At a City Council meeting earlier this year, a representative from Rose City, Inc. told the council that the city of Hayward, Wisconsin has a similar fiberglass structure of a muskie that was regularly cared for with scheduled waxing and the first time they needed to re-paint it was 30 years after the original job was completed.
The Chamber is asking local residents, visitors, those original from Baudette as well as anyone who holds a special place in their heart for Baudette and its famous fish, Willie Walleye to consider a donation.
You can mail donations to the Willie Walleye Fund, c/o Baudette-L/W Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 659, Baudette, MN, 56623.
You can also donate online at www.baudettelakeofthewoodschamber.com.
Businesses and organizations are also invited to donate or plan events that could benefit the cause.
“We also plan a big social media push to get the word out,” said Hovde.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest from former residents and regular visitors to Lake of the Woods who have expressed interest in helping this cause especially this past year as the current statue has been in a state of disrepair.”
Questions regarding the fundraising campaign can be directed to Hovde at 218-434-0273. or the city office at 218-634-1850.