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SPIRE Land Purchase in Mora Minnesota for Future Development

April 11, 2022
SPIRE Land Purchase in Mora Minnesota for Future Development

SPIRE Credit Union recently acquired land where the former Mora Shopko store resides. Plans are to retain this land for future development. 

SPIRE traces its Mora roots back to 1935 when Co-Operators Credit Union was established. The credit union expanded into communities surrounding Mora, evolving into Greater Minnesota Credit Union (GMCU). 

The credit union was originally incorporated under the name Co-operators Credit Union, and organized to serve the patrons of the Kanabec County Oil Association and the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company of Mora.  The first office was opened April 25, 1935 and housed within the Creamery office.

In 1946, the credit union moved to the Kanabec County Cooperative Oil Station, and in 1959 they purchased the Chester Chisholm house, re-purposing it as an office building.  In 1963, they purchased the building at 130 N.E. Railroad Ave, and by 1979 they outgrew this space and purchased two lots on Lake Street.  The old homes on these lots were demolished, and an office building erected. There have been several floor plan changes and additions to the building over the years to accommodate growth.  

In May of 1994, the credit union changed its name to the Greater Minnesota Credit Union (GMCU) and in 2014, GMCU partnered with SPIRE Credit Union.

In 2018, SPIRE was honored with the Business of the Year Award from the Mora Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrating SPIRE’s successes in the areas of growth, economic impact in the community, customer service rankings and creating a positive workplace for employees.

SPIRE's current Mora location at 112 S. Lake Street will continue to serve the community - business as usual.  There are 22 SPIRE branches spanning from the Iron Range, to East Central Minnesota, the Metropolitan Area, and south to Waseca.  Several branches are in close proximity to Mora: Ogilvie, Pine City, Milaca, and Isle. 

"SPIRE has a rich history in Mora dating back to our Greater Minnesota Credit Union days," said Dan Stoltz, President/CEO of SPIRE Credit Union, "SPIRE is excited to double-down on our commitment to Mora for many years to come!"

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