Chamber Blog

The summer of 2010 will be the busiest ever at Camp Ripley. The Camp employs almost 800 people full-time and over 1,000 part-time with an economic impact of well over $200,000,000. Chamber members met with Lt. Colonel Todd Kubista and Brian Dirks in Environmental Services this morning. The XCTC (eXportable Combat Training Capability) offers realistic training of units scheduled for deployment. They will be recreating combat settings with civilians and need short term employees to participate in a variety of village scenarios from June 8-27 and August 5-31. No special skills are necessary – other than the ability to physically withstand 12-hour days outdoors. Pay is $175/day. Details can be found on the job section of the Chamber’s website. The attendees talked about opportunities for businesses to get on the state vendor list, impact of military retirees in the area, ways to promote the Brainerd Lakes area to visitors to the camp, and opportunities for visitors and residents to visit the camp museums, the environmental center and related environmental activities. Click here for a copy of the Power Point presentation.