Action Teams 1-3

ACTION TEAM 1: Reduce Costs of Manufacturing

Team Members: Doug Learmont-Chair, Milt Latvala, Jerry Miner, Tom Peluso, Bob Buescher, Joe Maher, Scott Hautala, Tom Karges, Ron Salisbury, Steve Kovala, Dave Loch, Joan Hoeschen, Dave Latvala, Marv Gustafson

Key Activities and Results:

• Identified areas of common concern among local manufacturers and assembled manufacturing-related personnel to participate on the team to work on resolutions.
• Compiled and analyzed economic data regarding the impact of industry on the economy.
• Submitted newspaper articles to highlight the importance of industry on the economy
• Served as primary source of guidance for a county-wide manpower market and skills requirements survey.
• Initiated communication between health care providers and industrial firms to work toward lowering workers’ compensation costs.
• Opened communication between manufacturing industries and providers of commonly-used purchased goods for cost savings purposes

ACTION TEAM 2: Implement a County-Wide Lodging Tax to Promote the Region’s Tourism

Team Members: Mike Ives and Kelly Hain-Co-Chairs, Cheri Bialke, Scott Thompson, Len Salmela, Craig Bender, Ron Oleheiser, Tony Serratore, Fred Bobich

Key Activities and Results:

• Successfully lobbied to pass the lodging tax legislation through the House and Senate during the 2003 legislative session.
• Hosted a meeting in December with key tourism industry stakeholders in Itasca County to find ways to put more “heads on beds” in Itasca County resorts and motels.
• Identified issues facing the area’s tourism industry and agreed upon action steps to work on those issues.
• Scheduled an upcoming meeting with representatives of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Edge of the Wilderness, Itasca Resort and Tourism Association and the Lake Winnie Association to explore the creation of a regional brand and vision to promote the area.
• Set a meeting to develop a collaborative approach to examine the proposed County zoning changes.

ACTION TEAM 3: Become a center of excellence to educate and sustain a professional healthcare workforce for regional rural communities

Team Members: Mary Ives, Steve Feltman and Mike Johnson-Co- Chairs, Rick Salmela, Paul Olson, Judy Pittack, Jean Jacobson, Dan Margo, Sue Erzar, Frank Allen, Carolyn Church, Barb McDonald, Maren Gaalaas, Ava Krings

Key Activities and Results:

• Submitted a competitive bid to bring the Northeast Area Health Education Center to Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids lost the bid but a Team member was invited to participate in the selection process for the new AHEC director and a local representative will serve on regional board.
• Worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to secure a successful grant called Career Ladder for Education and Advancement of Nursing for rural Minnesota to help educate, train and retain nurses. Hibbing, Rainy River and Itasca Community Colleges share the coordinator and the virtual learning facility.
• Provided support for the Rural Health Science Education Center initiative and explored opportunities to enhance awareness of health careers by working cooperatively with other school and community initiatives.