Pete Mott Named SBDC Consultant in Grand Marais

Pete Mott of Grand Marais has been selected to succeed the retiring Pat Campanaro as the Small Busi­ness Development Center (SBDC) Consultant in Cook County.

The Northland SBDC is a coop­erative effort with the US Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA funds and oversees the national network of SBDCs, which provide resources and assistance to small businesses across the Coun­try. The Northland SBDC plays a vital role in supporting entrepre­neurs and small businesses in Cook County and the broader northeast­ern region of the state.

Northland SBDC provides no-cost, confidential consulting to in­dividuals looking to start, manage, or grow their businesses. It works in conjunction with organizations like the Grand Marais Economic Development Authority.

Mott worked for the MN DNR for over six years as the Park Manager of Cascade River and Judge Mag­ney State Park in Cook County. He left that position to care for his par­ents in their final years but kept his home in Grand Marais.

“I knew I wanted to stay in Cook County,” Mott said, “But the DNR didn’t wait for me.”

Mott was preparing to move on from a state recreation job and had an idea to start a new business in Cook County. After several meet­ings with Campanaro about his ideas, she wondered if he’d consid­er her job as the local SBDC con­sultant.

Campanaro served in that role for a decade and has helped many small businesses start and expand in the area.

Mott said, “The power of this po­sition is the network of experts we have to draw on.”

With his history in public recre­ation over the last 30 years, Mott understands the importance of bud­geting, planning, and customer ser­vice. In addition to DNR Parks, he served as Park Manager for Wash­ington County and Park Coordina­tor for Anoka County.

Mott is focused on three areas when he works with clients:

1. Initiating and planning,
2. Ongoing management, including finance, accounting, and personnel
3. Expansion planning and implementation

The SBDC’s Grand Marais office is located at 425 West Highway 61. If you or someone you know needs expert business advice on every­thing from startup to exit, visit the SBDC website: northlandsbdc.org.