Water marks from last month’s flooding are still visible on trees and shrubs in the city of Cook.
Six feet above ground level.
Cook’s business district was devastated by the flooding.
A downtown dental clinic, theater, cafe, and the city library, remain closed due to water damage, Cook City Administrator Theresa Martinson said.
In addition to about 16 businesses, approximately 28 homes received flood damage, Martinson said.
“We’re in tough shape,” Martinson said. “We’re in dire need after coming off a winter with no snow and no winter recreation like snowmobile tourism.”
But help in both the short and long term may be on the way.
The Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation in Eveleth is looking at using a special account created years ago for economic development along the Highway 1 corridor as source of funding to help Cook businesses recover from the June 18 flooding.
“We want to be sure Cook doesn’t lose any more businesses,” Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation commissioner said. “We’re looking at the Highway 1 corridor fund to retain economic development because if Cook loses these businesses it’s devastating.”
In addition, St. Louis County plans to offer grants to downtown Cook businesses affected by the flooding from a $145,000 allocation, St. Louis County Commissioner Mike Jugovich.
It’s hoped that the grants will help prevent the loss of businesses and jobs in downtown Cook, Jugovich said.
St. Louis County also plans to help the Cook Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which incurred losses in an HRA housing complex as a result of the flood, Jugovich said.
Downtown Cook is situated in a flood plain.
It’s not the first time downtown has flooded from the nearby Little Fork River
But this time, flooding resulted in immense damage.
“It was a thousand year flood,” Cook Mayor Harold Johnston said. “Back in 1970 we had seven inches. This time we had nine inches.”
Rukavina said she’s working to call an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board meeting to consider financial assistance to help Cook businesses damaged by the flooding.
“Our staff met this week with businesses in Cook to start figuring out what the needs are,” Rukavina said Friday. “We want to call a board meeting as soon as possible.”
It’s not yet determined whether any financial assistance from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation to the businesses would come in the form of grants or loans, Rukavina said.
“There’s potential for both loans and grants from the Highway 1 fund,” Rukavina said. “We plan to bring it to the board.”
The Highway 1 Corridor Account was created years ago by former Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook.
The account was designed to support economic development along the Highway 1 corridor.
Rukavina said the fund contains about $4 million.
Beyond short-term help, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation is coordinating an effort to find a long-term solution to flooding in Cook, Rukavina said.
“We’re going to set up meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers and the DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,” Rukavina said. “We want to start those conversations to do something to help Cook in the long run.”
Rep. Roger Skraba of Ely, whose 3A district includes Cook, said the city continues to reel from the flooding.
“I’ve been in contact with some of the folks,” Skraba said. “The Montana Cafe is the one that hurts the most. When you talk about taking away a food source for the community and a social gathering place in the community, it’s a big deal.”
Skraba said he supports both short-term financial assistance from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation and a long-term plan.
“This is unique,” Skraba said. “Their businesses are located next to the river and a lot of things lined up. The money we can spend on this is well spent.”
Sen. Grant Hauschild of Hermantown, whose District 3 includes Cook, said he’s been calling for a special session of the state legislature to address flooding.
Hauschild said legislators in a special session should approve a state bonding bill focused on infrastructure, including flood damage.
“I think investing in a bonding bill is essential,” Hauschild said. “And I’m disappointed it didn’t get through (the regular session).”
Hauschild said he and Skraba have written a letter to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) asking for special assistance for businesses and private property owners affected by flooding.
He’s also supportive of utilizing Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation funds to help Cook.
“We have the Highway 1 fund for a reason,” Hauschild said. “If we want economic development and vibrancy in our communities, there’s no better use if we want these businesses to survive.”
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation also contributed to a United Way of Northeastern Minnesota Flood Recovery Program to help area residents impacted by flooding.
Residents impacted by flooding can apply to United Way of Northeastern Minnesota for up to $1,500 in flood related bills, replacement of damaged appliances or the purchase of building materials
Twin Metals, Pohaki, Park State Bank, Range Association of Realtors, z’-Up North Realty, and Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, also contributed to the fund.
Local suppliers Cook Building Center, Keenan TV and Appliance Center, Menards, Perpich TV and Appliance, and Pohaki, are working with the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota in the flood recovery program.
Meanwhile, with help from county, state and federal government officials, St. Louis County, and others, Cook continues to pull together as a community, Martinson said.
Community events like the Cook Farmers Market and Music in the Park continue along River Street, the city’s main street, Martinson said.
“I’d like to thank everybody who came to help Cook during the flood stages,” Martinson said. “We still want people to come to Cook. We’re not a ghost town, but we have needs.”
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