Free Technical Assistance!
(Program Starts July 1, 2025)
During the 2023 session, the Minnesota State Legislature approved funding for Northland Foundation to contract with a housing consultant to provide housing development technical assistance (TA) to the rural communities of NE Minnesota. North Shore Development Co. (NSDC) is honored to have been selected to provide this assistance. Our goal is to help these communities better understand their housing challenges and opportunities, and create a roadmap with actionable steps to obtain the housing they need.
To learn more about the kind of work we do and how we might help your community, visit the “Services” tab above.
*Please note: This TA does not include grant writing.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Click HERE to RSVP for one of the following meeting options:
1) Virtual meeting at 10am on July 9th, 2025- Live meeting will be available HERE.
2) Wednesday July 16, 2025 at 10:00 am at IRRR- Chisholm Office (1003 Discovery Dr, Chisholm, MN)
3) Thursday July 17 at 2:00 pm at Cloquet Public Library (320 14th St, Cloquet, MN)
Program Eligibility
1) Applicant must be a City, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Authority, County or Tribal government body located in:
- Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties.
-The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I), and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (District II)
Note: Two entities within the same jurisdiction may not receive TA at once. For example, either the City of X or the X HRA/EDA can participate, but not both at the same time.
2) Applicant must obtain a resolution of support from its governing body to receive this TA and enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
-This resolution must be uploaded via the fillable form below.
-For example, if an HRA in St. Louis County would like TA, that HRA Board must pass a resolution of support to receive TA from North Shore Development Co.
-A sample resolution is available HERE, and the MOU template is available HERE
3) The Applicant must establish and provide the following information in the Program Application below:
-Primary point of contact to work with NSDC.
-The housing issues/challenges it would like NSDC to assist with.
The TA Process
1) Eligible applicant enters into an MOU with NSDC outlining the terms of this free service.
2) NSDC meets with the applicant point of contact to understand challenges and goals.
3) NSDC researches local market and community to understand and generate opportunities.
4) Findings and recommendations are presented to a stakeholder group.
5) NSDC assists applicant with recommendation implementation (as applicable and subject to available time).
6) NSDC meets with the stakeholder group to present progress, review next steps and wraps up TA services.
