Reinventing International Falls

September 27, 2013

As the Boise Inc. plant reduces production, and eliminates some 265 high-paying manufacturing jobs, what happens next? What happens when a major employer makes a decision that, at the least, leaves a quarter-billion-dollar hole in the local economy?

International Falls, Minn. — The sun rises over downtown International Falls, Minn. Wednesday, September 25, 2013. (Derek Montgomery for MPR / Jennifer Vogel examines how the city will reinvent itself.) link to this photo

Last morning shift for many Boise workers

International Falls, Minn. — Boise employees head into work early in the morning on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

Beth Peterson's husband took work out of town.

International Falls, Minn. — Beth Peterson settles into her couch to do some work on her computer Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at her home north of International Falls, Minn. Beth's husband Blake Peterson was one of many employees laid off from the Boise paper plant in International Falls. With multiple kids in college and another at home, Blake Peterson took a job over 100 miles away at U.S. Steel near Virginia, Minn. As a result of the layoffs at Boise, the Petersons now pay for two homes, spend their weekdays apart and must wait for the weekends when they can all be together again. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — Power lines cross the sky outside the Boise paper plant in the early morning Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — International Falls mayor Bob Anderson talks about his vision for the Donahue property near the Falls Country Club Tuesday, September 24, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — Faye Whitbeck, President of the International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, talks about the impact over 200 layoffs at the Boise paper plant will have on other business in the city of International Falls, Minn. Tuesday, September 24, 2013. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

Pete Schultz, dir. of the regional visitors bureau

International Falls, Minn. — Pete Schultz, Director at International Falls, Ranier and Rainy Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, believes tourism can play a big part in the city countering the effects of over 200 layoffs at the Boise paper plant. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

Paul Nevanen,Koochiching Co. Econ. Dev. Authority

International Falls, Minn. — Koochiching County Economic Development Authority director Paul Nevanen stands near railroad tracks in the foreign trade zone Tuesday, September 24, 2013 near International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — The streets in downtown International Falls, Minn. on Tuesday, September 24, 2013. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — Kelsie Briggs (right) talks with Carol Stegmeir at the Minnesota Workforce Center Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. Briggs is a former Boise worker who was laid off from her job as a store keeper at the plant. Briggs and Stegmeier were discussing a career plan and options for education assistance. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — Swanky Sweet Pea owner RaeAnn Conat talks about her business Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at her store in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

A strawberry skinny mini cupcake bath bomb awaits shipment Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at the Swanky Sweet Pea in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — The I1 paper machine inside the Boise paper mill in International Falls, Minn. is nearly two football fields long and dwarfs the Boise employees who work on it and manage it. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — Massive paper rolls line a wall inside the Boise paper mill Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — A 26-foot tall statue of Smokey Bear occupies the center of Smokey Bear Park early in the morning Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in International Falls, Minn. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

International Falls, Minn. — The sun sets over Rainy Lake Tuesday, September 24, 2013 north of International Falls, Minn. near the residence of Blake and Beth Peterson. (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

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Reinventing International Falls

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