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Action Team Report Back Meeting IDC/Jobs 2020 Present: Matt Romanik, Jeff Stampohar, Wade Fauth, Bud Stone, David Marty, Sholom Blake, Mary Kosak, Tarry Edington, Scott Thompson, Dave Latvala, Nancy Roth, Christina Anderson, Willow Loney, Peter McDermott, John Ward, Ed Zabinski, Kris Ferraro, Teri Heikkila The third 2005 Action Team Report Back meeting was held August 10th at the Blandin Foundation. Oral or written reports were provided for all twelve of the Action Teams.
Air Service
Matt Romanik reporting In July, the Air Service Action Team presented information regarding the potential profitability of 19-seat passenger service to rural Minnesota to Heather Rand of DEED. Suggestions were given on what the Governor’s office might do to help support such service at MSP. Heather continues to work on a way to incorporate the suggestions into the State’s transportation plan. Sarah Copeland is working with Juan Lazo to provide a similar packet of information to Senator Coleman’s office. Northwest Airlines is facing a possible mechanics strike which will disrupt operations during the high traffic period just prior to school starting, however Mesaba and Pinnacle have both indicated they will continue to operate during the strike. The team continues to support efforts by the private sector to return scheduled air servie to GPZ.
Art Resources
David Marty reporting The Art Resources Action Team has not met during the summer. They continue to survey the community to develop data on arts-related jobs in the area to determine the economic impact of the arts and cultural resources on the region. Robert Bluestone will be at the Reif Center on October 3 rd with his unique blend of creativity, community and economic development through classical guitar performance and motivational speaking.
Blandin Paper Expansion & Retention
Bud Stone reporting The Blandin Paper Action Team has not met since the June 8 th Report Back meeting, but continues to be engaged through the Chamber of Commerce Forestry Affairs Committee. Bud reported that Third Party Forest Certification efforts are advancing. Itasca County’s forest lands certification should go through by the end of the year. The Commodity Corridor is advancing with increased weight limits on Hwy 2 to Duluth for trucks hauling timber. It was approved by Minnesota legislature and is important to the UPM Thunderhawk project.
Community Vision
Sholom Blake reporting While the Community Vision Action Team has not met since May, members are involved with the Healthy Community Scorecard committee to develop a community report card measuring a variety of indicators in the Itasca area. This will be used as Community Vision Action Team members visit with local communities to discuss the vision of a healthy community and obtain their buy in.
Early Childhood
Mary Kosak reporting Meetings with employers to discuss the surveys filled out by their employees have been positive. Employers have appreciated the information and have been interested in receiving more information, particularly for “new hires” moving into the community. There has been interest in the idea of hosting educational workshops at the business site for employees. These would focus on work and home life issues. Mary contacted Marcie Brooke, Director/Work-Family Specialist from the Working Family Resource Center in St. Paul. Marcie spoke to the Early Childhood Initiative Action Team at their last meeting and described the various services provided through the resource center.
Healthcare
Jeff Stampohar reporting The Healthcare Action Team and the Itasca Partners for Quality Healthcare (IPQH) will work together to provide a Heath Care Leaders Forum. It will be on the next IPQH agenda. The Itasca County Health Care Network and the Health Care Action Team are investigating ways to easily transfer patient information from one facility to another. One web based information system under consideration is Wellogic. It offers a platform that is placed over existing software programs to process data. On August 9 th subcommittee members discussed a plan of action which would identify the key players, stakeholders, product, target group, regulatory issues and financing for primary care coverage.
Housing
Tarry Edington reporting The Housing Action Team identified characteristics of a “starter” home and estimated costs to develop it. They identified factors that would affect the cost including the economy of scale, volume purchases, pre-buying, substitution of products and baseline quality standards. Alternatives to new construction are under consideration and include: manufactured homes, retrofitting and rehabilitation of pre-owned homes, affordable homes in housing developments, developing relationships for referral of home purchasers, and grants for holding inventory during rehabilitation. The action team sent a letter to the City of Grand Rapids in support of Tax Increment Financing for Crystal Lakes Estates. Another letter was sent to the Steering Committee for revision of the Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance asking it to consider revision of the portion of the ordinance that deals with development of Manufactured Home neighborhoods. The request is to have the ordinance compliant with State Statute and make it possible for such communities to be developed in recognition of the need for “affordable” homes.
Lakes Management
Scott Thompson reporting The Lakes Management Action Team has prepared a half hour power point presentation entitled “Economics of Water Quality”. It has been shown to various local entities and Scott requested time at the October 20 th IEDC meeting to present it to the council. The focus of the presentation is protective economic development – how to develop without causing harm to the lakes. Scott said that they had the “scientific side” down, but needed those with business experience to help them make it viable. Grants from the Blandin Foundation and the Environmental Trust Fund have been received by the Lakes Management Action Team with IDC/Jobs 2020 acting as Fiscal Agent. This grant is being used to cover the expenses incurred as they present the “Economics of Water Quality” to groups throughout 2005 and 2006.
Minnesota Steel Industries
Dave Latvala reporting The Minnesota Steel Industries project is moving forward. A public open house was held July 19 th in Nashwauk to display information on the project and receive comments on the infrastructure planning being done by S E H. Work is in progress to finalize the placement of roads and railways for the facility. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) scoping meeting is scheduled for August 10 th in Nashwauk. One week remains for the public to post their input to the DNR’s website concerning this project.
Poverty Reduction
Nancy Roth reporting A presentation entitled “Building an Economy that Works for All” has been prepared by the Poverty Reduction Action Team. It includes: Poverty in America video, Closer to home: a look at poverty here in Itasca County, Beyond surviving, Why the system doesn’t work, Why you should care and Making a difference. After giving the presentation to the Rotary Club on June 30 th, revisions were made making it more interactive and concluding with a call to action. It will be presented to the American Association of University Women on August 11 th. The Action Team met with Gary Stokes from Move the Mountain Leadership Center who gave the group a national perspective on anti-poverty work. Gary specializes in community-based approaches to reducing poverty. He said that the Poverty Reduction Action Team is “way ahead of the game” by including “reducing poverty” in an economic development agenda and suggested that they come up with specific ideas and a powerful vision to reduce poverty. These ideas have been incorporated into the “Building an Economy that Works for All” presentation.
Retiree
Wade Fauth reporting The Retirees Action Team continues to search for ways to utilize the assets of the retirees in the community. Organizations such as IDC/Jobs 2020 and RSVP could be of assistance in developing a mentoring program focused on business and using the time and talent of retirees.
Youth Retention
Christina Anderson reporting The Youth Action Team has lost two members who moved to Minneapolis and feels that the ideas that have been suggested are already being covered by different organizations. They suggested the action team be dropped from this year’s list. Peter asked that Christina and Willow meet with Ed Zabinski, Mike Johnson and himself to discuss this further.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 14 th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Blandin Foundation. |