The Crookston Area Chamber is in the middle of their “Welcome to Crookston” Project. The project aims to promote local businesses and restaurants while also welcoming new faces to Crookston by handing out coupons and promotional items to everyone who moves to the city.

Carrie Bergquist of the Crookston Area Chamber said the project was done in the past before being halted, and it felt like the right time to bring it back. “The Crookston Area Chamber is actually bringing this tradition back that was started many years ago,” said Bergquist. It was halted for a little bit for multiple reasons, but we thought we thought we would take this opportunity to bring this program back. We’ve heard that it’s been missed, and we’ve heard from our community members that when people move to Crookston, they aren’t sure what it’s all about and what we have to offer. So, we got this group together so that we’re able to provide new people to town something that welcomes them.”

Multiple businesses and restaurants in town are participating in the project, and the Crookston Area Chamber has teamed up with the Crookston Visitor’s Bureau (CVB), along with many others, to help put the project on. The group has met twice to discuss the vision of the project and what the Welcome to Crookston bags that will be filled and handed out should look like.

Bergquist discussed what the bags will include. “We decided that the bags will include a letter that City Administrator Amy Finch was able to draft up, and there are also some maps that show walking trails and paths downtown,” said Bergquist. “With that, there are also parks maps, the CVB Visitor’s Guide, and then we also wanted to make sure this wasn’t exclusive to just Chamber members. Chamber members can include a physical promotional item in the bag, while non-chamber members can submit a coupon or discount.”

Bergquist also discussed when the Chamber plans to kick off the event. “We plan to start this at the beginning of the year,” said Bergquist. “The Committee will meet at the Crookston Inn for a stuffing party, where will stuff all the items into the bags and get them ready. Since this wasn’t offered in 2020, it will be opened up to all new residents from that point on so they can get in on this deal as well.”

An announcement will be made and sent out to the community, informing them they can go to the Chamber and fill out a questionnaire to receive their Welcome to Crookston bag. The questionnaire will be used to learn why you’ve chosen Crookston and a few questions to learn more about each individual so that the Chamber can better accommodate and welcome them to the city.

Any business or individual who wants to participate in the project or receive a Welcome to Crookston Bag can contact Crookston Area Chamber Executive Director Mark Landa at 218-281-4320.