To the Editor: With both gratitude and disappointment, I share that I will not be moving forward with Camp Street Cannabis, the proposed microbusiness in Ely’s historic Temperance Hall.
This decision did not come easily. My vision was to bring living-wage jobs and a renewed sense of vitality to the Iron Range through adaptive reuse of the Camp Street property. However, today’s realities—the shifting cannabis market, the lack of private equity for pre-revenue companies, and the significant time and commitment required to responsibly generate returns for stakeholders—make it impossible to move forward at this time.
I extend my sincere thanks to the city officials in Ely and Babbitt who gave their time, guidance, and support throughout this process. Their willingness to listen and engage gave me confidence in the future of responsible economic development in our region.
While I am stepping away from cannabis operations, I remain dedicated to serving the community. My focus now turns to rucha.org, a web-based platform I am building to support families navigating end-of-life care.
Though I am disappointed this particular vision will not come to life, I remain hopeful about the many ways we can continue to strengthen our communities together. With gratitude, Richard D. Stuart Ely, MN
