Letter to the Community

December 31, 2003

As we start a new year we want to take a moment to look in the rear view mirror at 2003 and see where we have been.

The year started with the news of Blandin Paper Company’s elimination of 298 quality jobs in our community—not to mention the carryover effects which have yet to be felt or measured. We responded with concern for those directly affected and coordinated a team response to their personal and economic needs.

In the broader region we were further impacted by the global economy with the shut down of EVTAC and the sale of National Steel. Thanks to demand from China, EVTAC has started up as United Taconite and National Steel as Keewatin
Taconite. Both have fewer jobs than before, however we are thankful for those miners who were recently able to return to work. In order to survive, our largest industries continue to produce more with less people. This is a fact of life.

The good news is we have an energetic group of small to mid size businesses working hard to be successful and healthy. These businesses are facing ever-increasing challenges with a positive attitude and concern for others not seen in many other communities.

Thanks to efforts going back to the Economic Summit in October 2001, a trip to Tupelo Mississippi and the formation of JOBS 2020, our community has come together and views each others’ success as critical to our own. We don’t have all the answers but we do agree we can accomplish much more by working together. IDC is committed to working with and for the community and other institutions to improve the economic well-being of the Itasca region.

The following pages include key activities and results for action teams started in February and other highlights of 2003 for IDC and JOBS 2020. Please take a few minutes to review and celebrate our accomplishments. Thank you for
your support without which none of this would have happened.

Very Truly Yours,