 Well, in recent years, the Brainerd Lakes Area has seen new businesses and business growth in the surrounding communities. The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation held its annual meeting today to discuss the economic growth in the lakes area and what lies in store for its future. Our reporter Rachel Johnson has more. Business leaders, community members and elected officials alike agreed Monday that the future of the Brainerd Lakes Area looks bright. People gathered at the Arrow Lodge in Baxter today for the Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting. We're a local economic development organization that once a year celebrates our successes and shares inspiring stories on growth and prosperity in the area. The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation, or BLEIDEC, was formed in 1985 and is a community-based, nonprofit organization that works to preserve and enhance the area's economic base. We want to have a diverse marketplace that the area continues to grow and thrive and people have jobs and can be proud and have a way to support their families and buy a home and all the good things that come with the prosperous community. They hold a community meeting every year in order to discuss the organization and the progress taking place in the area. We're behind the scenes, a small group that often time isn't in the forefront and we want to make sure people know all the good things that are happening and the positive projects that are occurring. The meeting featured speakers from businesses around the community with the keynote address given by former Duluth Mayor Don Ness. One of the presenters announced that they will be opening a new business in Crosby, which will sell homemade craft ice cream, cheeses, charcuterie and more. The new business, Fixtual, is opening in downtown Crosby and in addition to being a storefront will also house a new ice cream company called Rave Creamworks. It is a super premium ice cream which means it is full dairy, high butterfat content and not a lot of air whipped into it and it happens to be lactose free and we're the first super premium ice cream that is being done lactose free. Paul Kirkman and Fixtual are just one example of the growth that the lakes area is seen. I'm really excited that there seems to be a focus in the Brainerd Lakes Area Crow Wing County for kind of what's next. So we're just excited to see a lot of energy and enthusiasm and I think it's building momentum for some of the things that are going to happen next. Really excited about it. Bledek is optimistic about the future of the Brainerd Lakes Area and is excited for the new economic development to come. Reporting from Baxter, Rachel Johnson, Lakeland News. Fixtual and Rave Creamworks is hoping to be open in Crosby this summer around Memorial Day weekend. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.