The Braver Angels meeting last Wednesday was well attended. A few recognizable faces joined in the discussion, including Angela Campbell and Emily Roose from the Ely city council, and mayor Andrea Zupancich of Babbitt.
The topic for the meeting was whether Ely is a dying or thriving town. A handout was provided with statistics on budgets, economic development, and population of Ely: according to the U.S. census, the biggest demographic at over 400 is males and females ages 60-64 years, while the under five population numbers less than 75.
The nationwide declining birth rate, (among other Ely-specific factors) has led to the implementation of a four-day week at the school, and has many wondering if this signals a larger declining trend for Ely.
Other points that support the stance that Ely is on the downhill include limited access to healthcare, numerous empty storefronts in the downtown area, a lack of non-seasonal jobs, and a lack of workforce to hold down what jobs do exist in town.
The opposing viewpoint argues that Ely is thriving. Those who hold this belief point to the new and expanding businesses that have opened in town, two of which are multi-million-dollar projects. The arts and culture scene in Ely has increased in popularity, the non-profits and volunteer community are flourishing, and all of these facts are underlined by this: folks want to move to Ely for its access to the Boundary Waters.
As the population grows to include not only generational Elyites, but also transplants from around Minnesota and beyond, the conversation of what the new Ely should look like becomes heated.
Everyone in Ely lives here because they love it here. Residents put up with six months of -40 degree windchill, where the sun is but a faint memory.
It is only with steadfast love of this town that it remains inhabited at all, and with that love comes strong opinions.
“I think it’s less about whether the glass is half empty or half full, the point is how to get more water in the glass,” said Derekah Kingery during a panel of those who can see both sides of the argument. “I think we all agree on the basic needs of the community, but how we get there might be a little different.”
The numbers don’t lie: Ely’s population has been steadily declining since the 1960s.
In 1967, the school population was 1,775, while in 2026 the population is 461.
The overarching question seems to be how to get more kids to go to school in Ely. Some of the numbers can be explained by national birth trends, but there are other variables that lead to a smaller graduating class.
According to the handout, there are 28 children in homeschool programs and 38 in Post-Secondary Enrollment Options in Ely’s district. Those students may participate in some public school programming but are ultimately not counted for the total district budget.
Some cultural and political issues may also exist; the division amongst the adults at the Braver Angels meetings must surely be felt by schoolage children at home.
Karl Kubiak, band director at the Ely High School, said, “We should be looking for ways to work with the school. A lot of things happening are at the state level, like online schooling or homeschool or PSEO; if you only do half a day at the school, we still foot the entire day’s bill.”
A few conclusions emerged at the end of the two-hour meeting.
First, that shopping local is one of the best things anyone can do to give back to the local economy. Even if a store doesn’t carry the exact item, they can order it for the customer at no extra cost.
Gerald Tyler of Up North Jobs also has a proposal for Senator Amy Klobuchar that he hopes to get signatures for, inviting her to come see the potential of Ely for herself.
Johnnie Hyde, co-chair of the Ely chapter of Braver Angels, reminded everyone in attendance that Braver Angels is not an action-oriented group, but rather, “a place to have conversation and inspire one another. I encourage you all to go to the city council meetings, go get coffee with like-minds.”
