Mill Fire Dims Future Hopes

By Lee Egerstrom, Economic Development Fellow, December 29, 2011 at 4:00 pm

The sad news that the Swany White flour mill burned on Tuesday and most likely won't be rebuilt is a setback for small towns across Minnesota, and for economic development efforts throughout the state.

It is especially sad for Freeport. The mill was a beacon along Interstate 94, calling travelers to pull off the freeway for lunch and pickup flour or oatmeal before resuming their tavels to Fargo-Moorhead or the Twin Cities. A small, old-time grocery nearby the mill was as fun to visit as the mill itself.

The mill, built in 1897 and in the same family since 1903, was undoubtedly of antiquated design. But that was a big part of its charm.

Here's why Swany White's loss troubles me.

First, the mill created a specialty market for organic grains in central Minnesota that will be hard to replace for some farmers. Second, such old established landmarks become destination points that help local communities survive change, and Freeport fits in that category of communities.

Finally, Minnesota 2020 has advocated for more, local value-added enterprises that use Minnesota's agricultural, forestry, mineral and human resources, not wanting Minnesota to simply be an extractor and exporter of the state's main commodities or products.

The Swany White flour mill might have been more than a century old. But it was also an operating example of what Minnesota entrepreneurs and communities should consider doing in the future.   

Posted in Economic Development | Related Topics: Agriculture  Business Growth  Small Business  Rural Minnesota