Key Accomplishments & Highlights of 2005

Economic Development

Small Business Development Center:
Provided 1,199 hours of business counseling at no charge to 286 clients; assisted in $18.8 million loan approvals for clients; helped small businesses retain 728 jobs and create 64 new jobs.

Major Projects:
Provided ongoing support for proposed major industrial projects including UPM Blandin, Minnesota Steel and Mesaba Energy.

Grow Minnesota:
Assisted owners and managers of 40 businesses that are the largest employers or have the greatest potential to gain/lose jobs. These businesses employed 3,737 as of December 2005 for a net gain of 119 jobs in 2005. This is collaborative effort with the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

Itasca Technology Exchange (ITE):
ITE is at 86% occupancy; home to 10 tenant companies with 40 full time employees. Multiple options for expansion are being pursued.

Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ):
Three companies started or expanded operations with over $700,000 invested in two of the businesses and 12 full time living wage jobs created.

RAINmaker Conference:
Sponsored Conference at Ruttgers for 120 accredited investors being cultivated as a source of equity investment for local companies.

Community Outreach:
Hosted business workshops in Remer and Bigfork.

Community Development

Itasca Building Development Fund:
Secured a $1.5 million Program Related Investment from the Blandin Foundation to stimulate quality jobs and private investment.

Public Infrastructure Improvements:
Supported Itasca County ’s requests for state bonding for roads, rail and gas pipelines for Minnesota Steel and Mesaba Energy.

Railroad Task Force:
Formed Railroad Task Force to explore expansion of rail service in the Itasca Area.

South Central Itasca County Intergovernmental Planning Board:
The joint planning organization, staffed by IDC/Jobs 2020, completed a comprehensive wastewater study for the 6 member townships.

Greenway Area Business Association (GABA):
Assisted GABA in securing grants for a housing study and in hiring a community liaison.

Non-Profit Organizations:
Assisted nine non-profit organizations in strategic planning.

Alignment, Organization and Communication

Itasca Economic Development Council (IEDC):
Expanded Council to 52 members from throughout the Itasca area; Council met four times in 2005.

Community Partnerships:
Expanded private sector partnerships. Supported efforts that focused the community on the importance of workforce development. Collaborated with regional economic development entities on initiating a targeted marketing program and assisted the City of Grand Rapids with downtown redevelopment.

Forums/Events/Meetings:
Held forums on Media and Meth, hosted community Call to Action, supported 11 Action Teams, hosted luncheon for ICC faculty and retirees, held Labovitz Awards Reception, co-sponsored a Town Hall Meeting, partnered with Chamber and City of Grand Rapids to sponsor the Retail Trade Analysis and Small Store Success Strategies workshops, organized meeting for area bankers and Minnesota Community Capital Fund, co-hosted an Iron Range Economic Development forum in Eveleth, hosted a facilitated conversation with community leaders to gain input on advancing the community’s economic development future.

Communications:
Produced and distributed the 2004 Action Team Report/Highlights and Annual and Mid-Year Perspectives; participated on ICTV programs, placed articles and ads in area newspapers; promoted SBDC services and client’s businesses through sponsorship of Paul Harvey News & Comment and on two area billboards.

Itasca Area Alumni Outreach:
Received a$12,000 grant from the Blandin Foundation to develop and manage a database of area alumni for the purpose of contacting/recruiting past graduates, along with their talents and business prospects, back to the Itasca area.

Promotional Booth:
Developed a promotional booth to use at local trade, home and travel shows, county fair, etc. to promote services provided by IDC/Jobs 2020.

Community Report-Socioeconomic Indicators:
Coordinated planning meetings, data collection, design, publication and distribution for all partners who contributed time and data toward the completion of the 2005 Community Report.