Author: GetHooked

The $1.2 million expansion of ANI Pharmaceuticals’ storage facility and distribution center in Baudette, Minn. is on schedule despite construction challenges, according to the Bemidji office of Kraus-Anderson.
Construction began in late 2016, just as the brutal, northern Minnesota winter was taking hold.
“Pouring concrete when temperatures dip to 35 below zero is not an easy task,” said Ross Elwood, project superintendent for Kraus-Anderson.  “We needed to carefully select the days we transported the concrete in order to manage the appropriate, constant temperatures before, during and after placement.”
While cold weather comes with the territory, Elwood said working on the ANI project while its factory is in full operation is the real challenge.
Kraus-Anderson has deep experience managing the construction of buildings that are fully occupied.  For example, the company regularly accomplishes renovations and expansions on hospitals, senior living residencies and offices where minimizing disruption is paramount.
“The ANI project involves working in very tight conditions because the expansion is being performed adjacent and connected to the existing factory,” added Elwood.  “Seann Hawkins, ANI’s owner’s rep, helped us coordinate daily activity inside and out of the high-security environment.”
In addition, the factory is located adjacent to the post office, which can never be blocked off. Elwood added the public has been very understanding, even on the day when the precast walls were delivered.  “The walls were 8-feet wide and 41-feet tall, weighing more than 22,000 pounds.  It was a very nerve-racking day.”
Kraus-Anderson has completed six projects for ANI Pharmaceuticals, formerly owned by Solvay Pharmaceuticals.
ANI, an emerging leader in the specialty pharmaceuticals industry, develops, manufactures and markets prescription pharmaceuticals, made in the U.S.  The company’s 126,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Baudette consists of a 52,000-square-foot warehouse and packaging facility that develops and manufactures liquid, powder and oral solid dose products.  The plant also includes 17,000 square feet of analytical, stability and microbiological laboratory space; and 56,000 square feet of employee, office and mechanical space.

Photo Credit: Mike Hovde, Northern Light Region

Lake of the Woods SWCD seeks summer apprentices

Article credit: Northern Light Region
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is currently accepting applications for young adults, ages 18-25, for summer apprentice positions in 33 Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout Minnesota. Apprentices will spend their summer working alongside natural resource professionals to learn hands-on skills in managing soil and water resources. Responsibilities vary by site and may include communicating with landowners, creating educational materials, inspecting and monitoring sites, preparing reports and other conservation-related activities. The Lake of the Woods SWCD apprentice will be based at SWCD office in Baudette, MN.
Apprentices will serve as AmeriCorps members and receive a monthly living stipend of $1,355 as well as an education award of $1,528 to use towards qualifying education and student loan expenses. Educational credits may be arranged by the apprentice. The service term runs from May 16 to August 11, 2017.
Those interested may get more information at www.conservationcorps.org/apprentice-academy and complete an application online at conservationcorps.org/apply. The application deadline is March 3, 2017.
The summer apprentice program is funded through the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resource Trust Fund and LCCMR.

Article credit: Northern Light Region

Community members are invited to Holes for Poles, the sixth annual fish fry and raffle fundraiser that supports scholarships for students enrolled in the Baudette site for Minnesota State Community and Technical College’s Electrical Line Worker Technology program.

The fish fry is 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, February 18, at the American Legion in Baudette. Cost is $10 per person for the walleye dinner. Sponsors are M State, Wadena Area College Foundation, Irby, North Star Electric, Great River Energy and the Electrical Line Worker Baudette Advisory Committee.

A raffle follows the fish fry, with the top prize an open-water fishing package from Cyrus Resort, a $1,475 value. Other prizes include a two-day South Dakota pheasant hunt with hunting, lodging and meals, a $750 value; an ION 8-inch electric ice auger, a $500 value; four Minnesota Twins tickets with Legends Club seating; a Gary Hull handcrafted fish decoy, and many more prizes.

Raffle tickets are $10, and only 1,000 are available either at the event or from Outdoors Again, the Baudette Electrical Line Worker site, North Star Electric, or Wadena Area College Foundation.

The Baudette training site accepts 25 students each year and was established in 2010 in response to industry need for electrical line workers. For more information about the diploma program in Baudette or the M State line worker program at Wadena, visit www.minnesota.edu/programs/electrical-line-worker-technology.

The Kaleidoscope Thrift Store and Occupational Development Center (ODC) of Baudette are pleased to host an open house on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 from 10am – 12pm at 107 East Main St. to the celebrate their 46th anniversary.

Tours will be given & refreshments provided.  For more information visit, www.odcmn.org