Picture credit to MSCR. Picture L-R: Board Member Emily Babin, Cory and Keely Sanden, and Board Member Alan Anderson
Main Street Coon Rapids (MSCR) awards the first Business Expansion Grant to Patriot Trainer Fitness. The locally owned wellness and fitness center launched in 2020 by Cory and Keely Sanden, with a goal to help individuals through personal training, fitness programs and nutrition guidance to achieve healthier lives. Originally located at an old dental office on Main Street in Coon Rapids, Patriot Trainer Fitness quickly grew and was needed additional space to accommodate. In 2022, the Sandens purchased the old fire hall, rehabilitating the exterior through Coon Rapid’s CSBG-CV Façade grant program in 2023. Interior work was also being completed to renovate the 4,000 square foot building, double in size of their previous fitness space, allowing for expansion of programs to new training opportunities, hybrid online classes and retail sales on health and nutrition products. MSCR Executive Director Katie Mason says “Cory and Keely have built something truly special in Coon Rapids. Their passion for helping people live healthier lives, combined with their willingness to invest and grow downtown, represents exactly what Main Street Coon Rapids hopes to support through our business expansion program. This project strengthens both our local economy and the vitality of Main Street.” MSCR launched two grant programs to promote business recruitment and growth to the community in 2023, the Business Expansion/Relocation grant which allocates $5,000 of funding, covering 75 percent of renovation or moving costs and Business Startup grant which provides $10,000, up to 50 percent of startup cost for a new business in the MSCR District. More information on either of the grant programs can be found on the link included with this story on our website or by calling Mason at 712-999-4769.