Ely Echo
Tom Coombe 

With household income lagging far behind state averages, the downtown dotted by empty storefronts and school enrollments resting at a fraction of previous highs, a parade of Ely area leaders said Tuesday that it’s time to do more to spur job creation in the region.

That may include an alliance and perhaps even local government funding for Up North Jobs, a newly-formed nonprofit that’s promoting economic development in the region and fighting opposition to copper-nickel mining projects.

Gerald Tyler, who formed Up North Jobs two months ago and serves as its chairman and executive director, went before Ely council members during their monthly study session and was joined by representatives of several area governments and local entities.

Tyler said that Up North Jobs has joined a statewide coalition – Jobs for Minnesotans – and hopes to enroll 3,000 members over the next year.

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