Barnesville: The Next Hub for Thriving Small Businesses?

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If you’re looking to start up a business, you may not want to overlook the city of Barnesville.

The metro isn’t the only area facing the demands of a growing population.

The city of Barnesville has seen a rise in new residents, and it is taking the necessary steps to create more jobs.
 
“Downtown area the city has invested a lot of money making sure that our city is very appealing and that it’s a place where people want to be,” says Karen Lauer of the Barnesville Economic Development.
 
The city is trying to shift away from attracting only industrial businesses by getting the word out on how it is an ideal place to start a retail or service-based business.
 
“The city is saying it is an ideal place to start a business, because of its prime and central location just off the interstate.”
 
The town has thrived from those who travel back and forth from surrounding cities such as Fergus Falls, Breckenridge, and Wahpeton.
 
“There are many businesses that are located here, but they service clients in all three of those markets, and so that is a unique opportunity with our location just off the interstate,” says Lauer.
 
Jamie Tate is the owner of “Flour Box” bakery which just opened two months ago.

He has already seen its success and says location has been key.
 
“Somebody posted on our Facebook page, “got my bacon egg cheese biscuit on the way to wok I don’t have to wait to get to Fargo for breakfast anymore”. So that’s a nice thing can have when they come here,” says Tate.

But that’s not all.

Low interest business loans, less competition, and the support of the community are also positive business factors.
 
“It’s more reasonable. It makes more likely as a small business to be successful, because you don’t have much overhead as what you would in the larger cities,” says Tate.

The town recently welcomed the opening of a new antique shop, and is awaiting the opening of a new restaurant.