Business notes

Consolidated Telephone Co., Brainerd, recently promoted two employees and hired two others.

Kris Nelson, was promoted to human resource and billing director. She has been with CTC for 30 years.

Kathy Bentler was recently promoted from customer service representative to data service coordinator. She has three year's experience with CTC.

Angie Langerman is the company's new receptionist. Joyce Frid was hired in customer services.

Initiative Foundation announces grants

The Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation serving 14 counties in Central Minnesota, recently awarded five community grants totaling $66,100.

The following organizations were selected as grant recipients in the month of December:

City of Cass Lake/Visitor Center Partners; Festival Revolving Fund, $10,000, to provide start-up costs to hold three annual festivals in the Cass Lake area.

Development Corporation for Children, Minneapolis; Business Partnership for Children, $3,600, to provide business and finance training for childcare directors of centers serving low to moderate income families in the region.

Forest Lake Area Youth Service Bureau; Chisago County Expansion, $25,000, to provide start-up funds to expand the Restorative Justice/Diversion program to Chisago County.

Kimball Area Public Schools/Kimball Prairie Forum; Kimball Area Facilities Feasibility and Planning Study, $25,000, to conduct a Kimball area feasibility and planning study of potential sites for community gatherings.

Tri-County Community Action Program, Little Falls; Morrison County Community Childcare Partnership, $2,500, to increase availability of quality child care by hiring an intern to help carry out program goals.

The Initiative Foundation seeks projects that strengthen Central Minnesota communities and address barriers to economic development. Grants, up to $5,000, are available for short-term planning efforts program implementation for single community projects -- up to $10,000 -- or multi-community projects -- up to $25,000. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are generally reviewed within 90 days of receipt.

For more information on Initiative Foundation resources, call 877/632-9255 toll-free or visit www.ifound.org.

LG Consulting presents seminars

LG Consulting Human Resources Services, a Brainerd Lakes Area firm will be presenting a series of monthly informational seminars directed toward human resources managers, chief executive officers and benefits coordinators.

-- Jan. 17, "Retirement and 401(k) Trends and Hot Issues: What HR Professionals Need to Know Now!" presented by Scott Hanson, The Principal Group.

-- Feb. 23, "Tap Into the Staffing Service Revolution" presented by Sandy Fowler and Mary Holbrook, ProStaff Services.

Seminars are held at the Comfort Suites in Baxter from 8:30-9:30 am. Cost is $20 per attendee. For more information, call 963-9520 or go online to www.aboutyourpeople.com.

Delesante gains designation

Frank W. Delesante successfully competed the educational requirements necessary to apply for the Charter Life Underwriter designation. He has served the Brainerd lakes area in insurance and financial services since 1992 and has been working for the First Choice Network, Inc., since 1997.

Tappe joins In-Fisherman staff

Jackie Tappe joined In-Fisherman as the business manager.

She will be responsible for developing an annual operating plan and preparing mid-year forecasts for In-Fisherman and other Primedia properties. Additionally, she will prepare monthly advertising forecasts and P&L projections, analyze and monitor editorial, advertising and circulation expenses; assist the publisher and senior finance director in preparing for bi-annual operating reviews; and assist in new business proposals, product launches and special projects.

Tappe previously worked as an accountant at Image Enterprises. Before that she worked at Computer 1 Technology Solutions as controller and Great Plains Dynamics software consultant.

ServiceMaster of LF, Brainerd gains award

Jerry, Jeanette, Ken and Jackie Retka, owners of ServiceMaster of Little Falls and Brainerd received the achiever award from ServiceMaster Clean, a subsidiary of the ServiceMaster Co., at an international convention in Nashville.

The Retkas were recognized for achievements in disaster restoration services.

Recipients of the award must meet a variety of criteria in order to be nominated, including a minimum revenue amount, a minimum growth of 10 percent and a nomination by their regional office. Recipients honored at the convention represented the top performing franchise owners from more than 4,000 businesses worldwide.

TCC Child Center sets open house

The Tri-County Community Action Child Care Center, at 2410 Oak St. in Brainerd, will host an open house from 2-6 p.m. Tuesday. The center opened Jan. 2 and is part of the Early Childhood Education Center, serving families in Crow Wing County.

The first 25 families to RSVP to 829-2410 will receive a door prize the day of the open house. Those visiting the center for the first time are encouraged to enter at the Pine Street entrance where there is ample parking.

The TCC Child Care Center is licensed for 42 children -- infants, toddlers and preschoolers. TCC is a 35-year-old non-profit corporation serving Crow Wing, Morrison and Todd Counties.

Integra Telecom secures $41 million

BAXTER -- Integra Telecom secured an additional $41 million equity investment from shareholders, including Boston Ventures, Navis Partners, Bank of America Capital Investors, Shaw Venture Partners and others. The transaction closed in late December.

The $41 million investment will be used to further expand Integra's customer base in regional markets, reinforce the company's network reliability, launch a new line of data products and services.

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Contact Business news by mail at P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, 56401, by e-mail at rrichard@brainerddispatch.com, or by fax at 829-7735.