Action Team Report Back Meeting

IDC/Jobs 2020
September 14, 2005 – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Blandin Foundation Board Room  

Present: Christina Andersen, Mary Kosak, Peter McDermott, Lucy Flessner, Becky LaPlant, Scott Thompson, Bud Stone, Mike Johnson, John Rajala

The fourth 2005 Action Team Report Back meeting was held September 14 th at the Blandin Foundation. Reports were given as follows:

Air Service

• Establish economically viable passenger air service to the Grand Rapids/Itasca County (GPZ) airport

Peter McDermott reporting

A group of private investors are working on a plan to return local air service. The service would provide up to three direct flights daily to Midway Airport in Chicago.

Arts Resources

• Develop and implement specific strategies to utilize arts resources to expand and support the Itasca area’s economy

Peter McDermott reporting

Robert Bluestone is scheduled to speak at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon on Monday, October 3 rd. His topic will be “The Art and Soul of a Healthy Community. In the evening of the same day, Bluestone will present a seminar entitled “Leading Creatively” at the Reif Center. Bluestone talks to community members about building bridges between arts and business groups within communities.

Blandin Paper Expansion and Retention

• Help position the Blandin Paper Mill as a preferred expansion site for UPM

Written report submitted by Steve Arbour

The Blandin Action Team will meet on September 27 th to review the permitting reports in preparation for the next public meeting concerning Blandin expansion.

Community Vision

• Encourage the greater Itasca area to embrace and adopt the vision for a healthy community as endorsed by IDC/Jobs 2020

Peter McDermott reporting

A Community Report measuring a range of socioeconomic indicators for the Itasca County area will be ready for distribution and presentation to local communities and area organizations by mid October. The Community Vision team members will participate in making the presentations and seeking endorsement of the vision statement included in the report.

Early Childhood

• Support the Itasca Area Early Childhood Initiative as it relates and connects to the business community

Mary Kosak reporting

Action Team members are continuing their visits to the 22 major employers who participated in the survey to determine employees’ needs in relation to child care concerns. Ideas suggested during those visits which the Action Team is acting upon include:

• Develop a “new hire” packet for new employees that would include child care resource and referral options.
• Draft letters for companies to send to legislators to stress the importance of quality early child care and education for a better quality of life
• Offer more high quality training locally
• Expand existing services

Housing

• Address issues impeding the development and availability of affordable workforce housing for the households of median income and below for the purpose of providing quality of life, security and workforce development opportunities.

John Rajala reporting

The Housing Action Team revisited the study of cost drivers for housing and is looking at areas where possible savings can be made in order to address the affordability gap from the cost side.

Team members have requested a map from Itasca County providing information on areas of available land that may have potential for affordable housing.

Housing will be a major issue if the pending economic expansions in the Itasca area are realized. Team members have requested dialogue with action teams working on issues of workforce availability and its relation to housing.

The Action Team will track the city of Grand Rapids’ zoning process as it relates to manufactured housing. The city has been responsive to receiving input from the Action Team. Team members will remain alert for upcoming draft revisions in order to continue providing input as needed.

Lakes Management

• Promote collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve lake management as an essential strategy for economic prosperity in the Itasca region

Scott Thompson reporting

The Lakes Management Action Team has agreed to the following action steps:

1. Provide information to decision-makers to increase their understanding of the impact their decisions have on our high quality water resources;
2. Continue involvement with the South Central Itasca County Intergovernmental Planning Board Wastewater Initiative;
3. Provide input on the Lake Sensitivity and Classification Study;
4. Maintain awareness of many ongoing lake-related activities;
5. Continue participation in the Governor’s Clean Water Initiative and the citizen-initiated North Central Lakes Project and revision of the Shore land Standards.

The goals are aligned with four major goals and objectives of Itasca County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Action Team is seeking IDC/Jobs 2020 public support of the action steps and of the Team’s efforts to build consensus for revisions to the county ordinance that is consistent with the Land Use Plan.

The Team has developed a power point presentation titled “Economics of Water Quality” which shows the link between land use and water quality. Grants from the Blandin Foundation and the Environmental Trust Fund have helped cover expenses. Team members have shown the presentation to area councils, lake associations, etc. The IDC/Jobs 2020 board members will view the presentation and consider the Team’s request for public support.

Poverty Reduction

• Develop a plan to reduce poverty in the Itasca economic region that shows a public/private partnership

Becky LaPlant reporting

A presentation titled “Building an Economy that Works for All” has been put together by the Action Team. They have shown the presentation to several groups including the Association of University Women and Circles of Support. Good discussions were held with each group about the barriers to getting out of poverty. The Team also met with 15 Itasca County Human Services front line workers who work with people on public assistance. These workers were asked what they saw as barriers to getting out of poverty. A similar focus group session is planned for people who access area food shelves and they will be asked the same questions. The information gained in these sessions will be incorporated into future presentations and used as a basis for the Team’s poverty reduction plan.

Youth Retention

• Attract and retain young individuals and families to the Itasca Area

Christina Andersen reporting

The Action Team is exploring the possibility of developing a website highlighting area attractions and offerings geared for young adults. A proposed link to the website is the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for the purpose of posting available jobs or internships. Team members have discussed contacting local businesses to promote their use of the Minnesota Job Bank on the DEED site to post job openings or internships.

Team members are interested in promoting internship programs through Itasca Community College and local businesses to help attract and keep young people in the area. Team members are exploring options for paying for the website.

Members have met with Grand Rapids District 318 superintendent to discuss a possible way to create a list of graduating classes from the past ten years and creating an alumni link on the website. The team is interested in a graduation list from the Greenway District 316 as well.

There were no reports from the Healthcare, Minnesota Steel Industries or Retiree Action Teams. The next Report Back Meeting is scheduled for October 12 th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Blandin Foundation.