Keep up with Region 5

Restaurants play an integral role in our communities, serving as important gathering places and contributing to the local economy. Every dollar spent in restaurants generates $2 in sales for other industries, according to the National Restaurant Association. 3 Cheers Hospitality is a food, beverage and catering company with a focus on farm-to-fork food. The growing company has a history in the region that originated more than a decade ago with Prairie Bay Grill and Catering in Baxter. Nick Miller has been with Prairie Bay since it opened in 2004. He served as its general manager until 2015 when he and longtime chef...

Rural towns have struggled for years with “brain drain,” the phenomenon where young people move away for college and job opportunities and don’t come back. But lately, some towns are experiencing a return migration of young people attracted by small town quality of life. They’re bringing their skills, energy and experience back home with them. Some young entrepreneurs are returning to start their own businesses, which provides a nice boost for local economies. A prime example of this is Digital Ink Design & Graphics in Baxter. Josh Goble grew up in Brainerd and started working for a local company in the sign...