Category: BGS in the Community

Rachel Schwankl Selected for Fridley Housing & Redevelopment Authority

October 21, 2019  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Rachel Schwankl, Real Estate Paralegal at Barna, Guzy & Steffen, was recently appointed to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (“HRA”) in Fridley, MN. According to the City website, “In 1947, the Minnesota Legislature created the Municipal Housing and Redevelopment Act, which authorized cities to create Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (HRAs) charged with improving “substandard conditions” characterized by “dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding and faulty arrangement or design of buildings and improvements.”Fridley’s HRA was established in 1965 and today plays an active role in developing and redeveloping the City. HRA projects are designed to enlarge the tax base, create jobs, and create vital, attractive businesses in blighted or underdeveloped areas of the City. The HRA is empowered to carry out housing rehabilitation programs and redevelopment projects that create new housing opportunities. The HRA also makes use of State and Federal programs to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to those that qualify. Examples of State programs include the First Time Home Buyer Program, the Minnesota Fix-Up Fund, and the Home Energy Fund. Federal programs include the Community Development Block Grant Program and HUD’s HOME program. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Services: Business site selection assistance; Local tax structure and tax increment financing districts data and analysis; Guidance on available City programs and other programs for various types of projects;…

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Estate Planning Attorney Bobbi Hermanson-Albers Joins Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

August 28, 2019  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Barna, Guzy & Steffen LTD. announces the addition of a new associate to our firm. Bobbi Hermanson-Albers has joined the firm’s Estate Planning department. She will be working closely with estate planning attorney William H. Huefner practicing in the firm’s growing Wills/Estates & Probate/Tax Planning Law area serving existing clients and enhancing the firm’s ability to serve our community. We are happy to welcome Bobbi to BGS from her most recent position practicing in family law at a boutique law firm in Minneapolis. She has also previously worked in Minnesota’s 10th Judicial District Court (Stillwater, MN) as a Judicial Law clerk to the Honorable B. William Ekstrum. Bobbi graduated cum laude from Hamline University School of Law in 2014 ranked in the top 15 of her class. In addition to earning her Juris Doctor, she holds a Certificate in Advocacy and Problem Solving from Hamline University which uniquely qualifies her in direct to consumer law, assisting clients to navigate the legal system during challenges and changes in their lives. Bobbi is excited about the opportunity to join BGS as Wills/Estates attorney, “I look forward to working with Bill Huefner to identify practical solutions that best meet the unique, long-term planning needs of each of our BGS clients.” Get help with your legal questions!

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BGS Attorney Proud Volunteer at DSTA Food Drive Event

June 12, 2019  |  Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.

Saturday June 8th was a sunny day in Duluth, perfect for day two of the Duluth Superior Transportation Association’s 6th annual event “Fill-a-Truck, Feed a Family Food & Fund Drive”.  BGS is a member of the DSTA, and BGS attorney Carole Clark Isakson volunteered at the event with Halvor Lines’ Chief Strategy Officer Carl Svendsen. Two hours of greeting shoppers at the Miller Hill Super One Foods went by pleasantly as Carole and Carl collected food and cash donations for the local food bank. Carole’s husband Steve took a turn as well, joining in the effort. Other teams of volunteers worked over the three day event at 7 locations in and around the Duluth area. Overall the event raised approximately $10,000 for the local food bank (which equates to over 28,000 meals!), and over 5500 pounds of food was loaded into Halvor Lines trailers for delivery to the food shelf. BGS is pleased to be a part of these and other efforts to improve Minnesota communities.

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