New Area Businesses
Here will be short profiles of individuals and companies that have been founded in or relocated to Ely recently. It is our hope that you will be inspired by reading these stories.
Would you like to be featured as an Ely area new business story? Please contact us for further information.
Radiant Electric Heat |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Apr 12 2006 |
It was our time. And Ely, Minnesota beckoned. After spending our vacations in the Ely area over a five year period, my wife, Gail, and I decided that we would retire and move from our home in Ohio to the “end of the road”. As a kayak person, the lakes and streams in and around Ely and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area would make it possible for me to paddle whenever I wanted. I had never dreamed of living in an area so beautiful, so serene. It was a perfect fit. While our friends thought we had lost our minds, we have never been happier with our decision to make Ely our home.
Our first year in Ely was spent building our house. We wanted to live in the City of Ely…not out… and stumbled across the lots offered for sale by the City of Ely in the Spaulding development. We were fortunate to purchase the first lot sold and began developing our plans for the construction of our new home.
We were also fortunate to secure the services of a group of dynamic local area contractors to accomplish all the necessary tasks to make that home a reality. We moved into our new house in February of 2005 and cannot believe this beautiful home is ours.
In putting together those house plans, I came across a product that I was sure would fit our needs. Instead of installing a traditional furnace for heating, I decided to use infrared electric heat panels as our primary heat source. While my contractors thought I was making a huge mistake, I knew these panels would provide the heat the house needed. I also knew the cost of heating our home would be inexpensive compared to gas, oil or convection electrical heating sources. I was right. And I made believers out of my contractors. I became so intrigued with the product, I called the company based in Minomonee Falls, Wisconsin and offered them my services as a distributor of the panels in Northern Minnesota. They were thrilled to have someone with my sales background and obvious enthusiasm represent them.
I hadn’t planned on working when I got the Ely. I had retired. But this opportunity was something I could not pass up. And using Ely as a base was a natural. I could work at my own pace. I could travel when I wanted to travel. I could participate in near-by trade shows of my choosing. And my communications with the company could be done by telephone and internet technology. The business contacts I have made within the City of Ely have allowed me to educate, demonstrate and sell the Radiant Electric Heat product.
These business opportunities have helped me to establish myself in the community.
I didn’t have time to devote to outside activities when I was working. Both my wife and I worked hard. Our free time was spent raising and showing dogs. That was about all we had time for. Since our move to Ely, we have had the chance to become involved in a variety of concerns … the governing of the City of Ely, the arts community, the hospital and the library. We volunteer to work at events to raise money for our interests. We give to those entities that are in need. We make a difference. And all we had to do was make ourselves available and we were welcomed with open arms. It is truly amazing what an exciting and satisfying experience it has been!
Not only can I work in Ely, I can play, too. Out of town house guests who have come to visit marvel at what they find when they get here. It is as though we are living in a “postcard” environment … wherever you turn, you are part of a picture that could end up on a postcard someone could send back home with a “Wish you were here” message.
Ely is a place where dreams become realities. Whether as a place to work or a place to play, Ely can offer the opportunities to help you grow.
It beckons. It really does.
Gordon Sheddy
Minnesota Radiant Electric Heat
Ely, Minnesota
218-365-4914
Last changed: Apr 13 2006 at 1:25 AM
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