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Action Team Report Back Meeting Itasca Economic Development Corporation Present: Present: Christina Anderson, Kris Ferraro, Peter McDermott, Teri Heikkila, Becky LaPlant, Steve Arbour, Scott Thompson Reports were given as follows: Air Service:
Team member Peter McDermott reporting The air service team has not met since the October Report Back meeting. Peter reported that nineteen employers were surveyed regarding scheduled air service in October. The results of the survey are being compiled and should be completed in November. The survey will provide a better understanding of the economic impact air service has on the local economy and what the demand for service is from the local business traveler. The ultimate goal would be to design/attract a service that fits the demand and is within the price and service parameters businesses are willing to pay and accept.
Blandin Paper:
Chairman Steve Arbour reporting The Blandin Paper Action Team is scheduled to meet Monday November 13, 2006 at 7:30 a.m. at the Sawmill Inn. Members of the action team and the Business Round Table were encouraged to attend. Joe Maher, Blandin Paper, will be speaking. Steve said that all necessary permits, except for the sewage plant permit, were finalized. Blandin has 18 months from the time the permits were issued to break ground for the expansion or they lose the permits.
Lakes Management
Chairman Scott Thompson reporting The Lakes Management Action Team has three objectives for 2006; they are: 1) Broaden collaboration, 2) Increase understanding of decision makers of the impact their decisions have on water resources, and 3) Develop strategy for improved shoreland management and “smart development”. Broaden collaboration: Team members will be meeting with Bernadine Joselyn of the Blandin Foundation seeking sponsorship and potential influence on public policy from the Foundation. Development of an educational coalition is in the works. Lakes team members participated in an informational display at Goods from the Woods and reported a very good response. Participation continues in the North Central Lakes Project. Increase understanding of decision makers of the impact their decisions have on water resources: The “Economics of Water Quality” power point was shown continuously at Goods from the Woods. Contacts will be made with other local lake associations to show them the power point presentation in the future. The possibility of a billboard featuring natural shorelines, wild flowers and wildlife habitat is being discussed. Develop strategy for improved shoreland management and “smart development”: Team members are actively involved in working to promote new Alternate Shoreland Standards through interaction with the County Board, the Grand Rapids Planning Commission and ARDC. The Island Lake Association and Ardenhurst Township are trying to gain support to reclassify Island Lake as a direct result of the work being done on the Alternate Shoreland Standards. Participation on the SCICIPB Wastewater Initiative Team continued as a series of public meetings explaining the initiative were presented in the area. Awards were presented by ICOLA and SWCD for shoreline restoration at the Itasca County Board meeting on September 12th.
Minnesota Steel
Team member Peter McDermott reporting John Elmore, President & CEO of Minnesota Steel spoke at the October 26th IEDC Advisory Council meeting. John reported that all major project permitting applications have been submitted and that the timely issuance of these permits is critical to the project, as is public support.
Mesaba Energy
Team member Peter McDermott reporting The IEDC board approved taking a public position in support of the Mesaba Energy project. The primary reason for taking the position in support of Mesaba Energy was due to the controversy surrounding the project and to emphasize the very significant positive economic impact of the project on the Itasca area.
Poverty Reduction
Team member Becky LaPlant reporting The Poverty Reduction Action Team has divided their focus into five areas and formed committees to work in each of those areas. Business mentorship of a person on public assistance: Donna Saari is working with Arrowhead Promotions to set up a mentorship with someone on public assistance. Toolkit for small businesses to create high value employees: Draft Toolkit reviewed by Jim Woehrle, Paula Frings, Barb Dorry , Mike Andrews and Bud Stone. It will be put out for review by the greater Poverty Reduction Action Team. The next steps will be to ID the business owners to participate in the focus groups; conduct the focus groups; make final edits; send the toolkit off for design work and put together a marketing plan. Transportation for people to work: Members are working on a program to make reliable cars available to low-wage workers with affordable financing. Community cooperation and participation is needed to make this program available to these workers. Car loan models, such as Project Jump Start, are being used in other parts of the state. A local coordinator will likely be needed in order to develop a program in the Itasca area. Businesses encourage their employees to volunteer in the community: This sub-committee developed the message “Mentoring is good for business”. The committee used information from the Minnesota Business Partnership which states “young people who have mentors are less likely to use drugs, skip school or be involved in criminal activity”. By encouraging employees to volunteer in the community, the image of the company is enhanced, employee satisfaction is increased, and performance improved. The future workforce can be impacted by helping young people with academics, exposing them to careers and giving them a positive/hopeful vision for their future. Create community leadership around poverty issues: On November 22, 2006 a planning group consisting of KOOTASCA staff, and Move the Mountain training participants will meet with Jim Krile of the Blandin Foundation to begin planning a Blandin Community Leadership Program designed for low-income people.
Youth Retention
Chairman Christina Anderson reporting Emails sent out chain-letter style to classmates of action team members have resulted in approximately 80 responses from Grand Rapids High School alumni. Another email is scheduled to be sent to those that responded containing information on where to search for job availability and a schedule of holiday events for those who may be returning for the holidays. Cory Jackson is investigating options for a website focusing on the necessity of retaining and attracting young people to support the workforce needs in the area due to retirements and the potential for major job growth through the Minnesota Steel, Mesaba Energy and Blandin projects. It may be possible to use IEDC’s grant writer to find funding for the website. Cory will submit a proposal for Mike Andrews to review. A singles “Speed Dating“ event is being planned for November 28th, 7:30-9:30 pm at the Rivers Wine Bar. The event is open to singles age 21-35. No report was given for the Workforce Housing Action Team. The next Report Back meeting is tentatively scheduled for December 13, 2006. Final reports for the action teams will be presented at the January 25th IEDC Advisory Council meeting.
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