Throughout the past several months there have been plenty high and low moments at Northland College. Students are either preparing to graduate this weekend, or their families are getting them ready to transfer to another college. As the spring semester comes to a close, small business owners are expecting the South Shore’s economy to be impacted.

Jared Trimbo, the owner of Full Keel Coffee in Washburn, graduated from Northland College nearly two decades ago. He says the school provided jobs, and incentives for new residents to live different communities along the South Shore.

“Northland is such a magical place and it introduces us to all the amenities in this area. So it makes it hard to leave,” Trimbo said. “It just brings in a lot of people. It provided a lot of jobs. A smaller liberal arts school like that, brings a little more affluent families often. Beyond the economics, it brought in people that were critical thinkers, different ideas. Just a lot of varied people that stayed here and brought a lot of new perspectives to the area.”

According to an analysis report, a college closing leads to over 250 jobs lost, and $67 million economic impact, each year. Roughly 100 students will be graduating this weekend. More than 150 undergraduates are looking elsewhere to continue their learning.

When looking at the South Shore’s economy, the city of Ashland lists Northland College as one its major employers. According to one of the private college’s media reports, it generated over $45 million in economic impacts.

John Rasmussen is the father of Hannah, a Northland College student graduating this year. He says it’s a shame other families won’t be able to share that unique college experience in Ashland.

“I think she’s pretty bummed about the school closing. She’s a lot of friends, it’s a really nice community. A lot of great little shops, and just a great place to be really,” Rasmussen said. “The setting is beautiful, the school’s been awesome. If it wasn’t closing, I think this would probably be the happiest time of her life. There’s also a twinge with sadness and disappointment that she won’t be able to come back and see her friends and see her under-classmates graduate.”

Northland College will have their commencement ceremony tomorrow at 11am. Interim President Barb Lundberg will also answer questions as to what will happen to campus after it closes.