Any proposal for development that would create new jobs and offer opportunity to Borderland is good news on several fronts.

Proposals for development indicate confidence in a community that can often spur additional development.

However, each and every proposal for development must be scrutinized and vetted to ensure what appears to be a good plan and fit for Borderland truly is that.

We like the idea the International Falls Economic Development Authority has the opportunity to consider selling land in its multimodal district. The proposal on the EDA table involves selling land to establish an aquaponic farm that would be built and operated by Mariner Farms, a private company with an track record in the industry.

We caution city officials to move carefully on this proposal and all others to ensure any development coming to the multimodal district is sustainable. What International Falls does not need is a hit-it-hard project that brings hope and ideas for growth, but ends up as another empty building scarring the business landscape.

Under the aquaponic farm proposal, a facility would be built to house a closed-loop eco-system which would grow fish below the surface of the water and lettuce above.

Clearly, the proposal sounds appealing. It discusses five to six full-time employees, establishing a partnership with Rainy River Community College that would assist students in related fields of study, and offering opportunities for local transportation companies.

What catches our breath is the estimated $1.5 million cost of the project. So far, we’ve not heard any plans for local assistance.

We all want International Falls EDA to be successful in establishing new businesses that create new jobs and adds to the tax base of the community. However, we don’t want in our rush to be successful development that instead drags us down emotionally and financially and uses up valuable property.

We look forward to the EDA’s discussion about the land sale and hearing more details about this proposal.