Executive Director of the Devils Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Suzie Kenner welcomed the crowd gathered at the Devils Lake Elks Club Wednesday to celebrate the achievements of its 99th year.
She started by singling out her staff, “The team may be small but it is mighty” she stated as she pointed out all those who work with and for the Chamber. Sydney Engel, Billie Rauser, Kaylee Lang, Ruth McBride, Veranna Schindele and Ann Pollert were recognized.
In her 2025 Year in Review, Kenner pointed out that there are presently 291 members of the Chamber, that’s up 17 over 2024. There are 27 new members this year and 264 renewals. She accented the analytics acquired; 115,651 membership listing views online, 157 community events listed on website, 13 community events and nine educational events hosted by the Chamber in 2025.
She singled out some of the highlights from this past year like the $490K Workforce Grant and the work of Ann Pollart in workforce recruitment, the new President at LRSC, Dr. Carmen Simone and the new Dockside Manager Jeff Brusven.
She also pointed out the big projects completed recently like the Baisch Ramp and platform at Lakewood Park to assist those folks who may need help getting into boats or onto pontoons, the Western State Bank Event Center completed at the Ramsey County Fairgrounds, the new Ag Center at the DL High School, Shores Event Center and the Prairie View renovation and addition.
Kenner introduced Chris Schilken, who directs the ND Commerce Dept., as speaker for this event. He started by reminding the crowd that he started out here in Devils Lake as the Director of Forward Devils Lake, not so long ago. He was in that position for five years before moving on and is grateful for his experience in Devils Lake, highlighting two things especially; that ND led in GDP growth in the nation and that our state saw robust economic expansion in those years.
Good things to point out, according to Schilken, North Dakota has the highest participation percentage – meaning everyone who can work is working. He accented a number of things that ND can be proud of, for example, what is happening in UAS and USB, cutting edge technology like Grand Sky, and how Camp Grafton and Devils Lake itself might figure into that expansion.
His department received 150 grant applications, nine from this region alone. He pointed out the destination grant that helped Woodland Resort expand and another that brought the Boathouse Bunkhouse to the area, as well. The “Boathouse Bunkhouse” is a new development project in Devils Lake, ND, that received a $235,900 grant for a historic houseboat and new bunkhouse to boost tourism. Separately, there are multiple vacation rental properties in Devils Lake, including some with “bunkhouse” or “boathouse” style features, such as a property with a connected shop and lake views, and another called “Trailer & Bunk House,” available on sites like Vrbo and Airbnb.
Schilken yeilded back to Kenner for the “Passing of the Gavel” to Ryan Yoder who will now chair the Chamber Board and the Member awards for 2025.
- Chamber member of the year is Woodland Resort, Kyle and Karin Blanchfield.
- New Chamber Business award went to Leeann Overby of State Farm Insurance.
- The Long Standing Chamber Member award went to NDTC.
- Excellence in Small Business award to The Little Bean, Jenny Bouchee.
- Woman-Owned Business Achievement to Camora Clothing.
- The Spark Award went to Heidi Becker of Gate City Bank.
- The President’s Award to Terra Eriksson.
- The Community Impact Award went to Mr. Ryan Hanson and Devils Lake High School.
In closing Kenner reminded everyone that next year’s Chamber Annual Report Event will be their 100th and will take place at The Shores – put that on your calendars!
