Retreat for combat vets attracts film crew

Project New Hope, McGregor, which provides free weekend retreats for military families, recently reported The Learning Channel will be filming at the camp's retreat during the July Fourth weekend.

The camps, which are free including meals, are designed for all combat veterans and their families. Designed to be low key, participants may use the time to reconnect as a family following a tour of duty or take advantage of short presentations and break-out sessions. Topics may include sleep solutions, stress reduction, money management, intimacy, communication, relaxation techniques, problem solving, anger management, and available VA services among other. Counselors are available along with an ability to talk to peers in front of the campfire.

The Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches sign has been around for some time at the former Casey's convenience store and gas station site on Washington Street in northeast Brainerd. But little seemed to happen at the site after the convenience store was demolished. Now earth is moving in July with a Nor-Son Inc. construction vehicle on site. The restaurant is expected to create 15-20 jobs. Jimmy John's corporate office didn't have a timeline for the opening. Previously the restaurant expected to be open in July.

Ascensus, with offices in Brainerd and Baxter, announced last week it has acquired CUNA Mutual Group's IRA Services division, which is based in Madison, Wis. The closing date is expected to be about July 31.

Ascensus describes itself as "the nation's largest independent recordkeeper and administrator for retirement plans in the micro to large market segments."

IRA Services provides IRA and health savings account education, compliance products and services to the credit union marketplace serving more than 4,000 credit unions nationwide, Ascensus reported.

"IRA Services strengthens and complements many of the products and services Ascensus offers today," Steve Christenson, Ascensus senior vice president, said in a news release. "It has a number of products that suit our overall client base, even outside of the credit union market."

Bob Guillocheau, Ascensus president, said the investment demonstrates the company's view that strong growth opportunities exist in the retirement market and especially in IRAs.

As for CUNA Mutual, Jeff Post, the company's president and CEO, said the sale allows his company to refocus on core products and ensure continued financial strength.

"Ascensus is a strong company, a good business partner and a quality employer," Post said. "Ultimately our product and our staff benefit from this transaction."

Ascensus reported existing CUNA Mutual Group's IRA Services division and the current management structure "will remain with the business and operate at part of the Retirement Product & Solutions Group within Ascensus."

Chopper's bar and grill in northeast Brainerd on Mill Avenue is closed temporarily, owner Richard Bollum said last week. Bollum said the restaurant is closed for cleaning and maintenance and he couldn't give a specific re-opening date although he hoped it would be soon.

Simple Elegance Bridal and Formal wear, owned by Shelly Trimble and Keri Larson, opened on Laurel Street in downtown Brainerd, across from Coco Moon.

The full-service bridal shop includes a lower level with consignment bridal and formal wear and vintage wear.

Brainerd General Rental of Baxter is now an approved Terex dealer in the compact equipment line. Brainerd General Rental has been an ASV dealer for the past seven years. ASV designs, manufactures and sells rubber-track machines and its subsidiary did the same for the skid-steer industry.

Steve Mau, Brainerd General Rental president and owner, said Terex, which completed its purchase of ASV Inc. in 2008, puts dealers through more stringent requirements with an intent to have fewer dealers in the future. Brainerd General Rental will sell, rent and service its Terex compact equipment line - such as compact excavators and tractor loader backhoes.

Recently, General Rental was the third Terex dealer in the state. Mau said benefits come in the product line as General Rental now has more product lines than it had a year ago with about 41 added to the seven the business was representing before.

Connecticut-based Terex Corp. is the third largest equipment manufacturer in the world with 2007 net sales of more than $9.1 billion.

RENEE RICHARDSON, senior reporter, may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.