Minutes of East Central Minnesota Workforce Partnership Meeting

August 12, 2008

Call to Order: Acting Chair John S. called the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m.

Welcome and Introductions: John S. welcomed everyone to the meeting. Members introduced themselves and welcomed new attendees Heidi McManus, Pine Technical College and Brad Brzezinski, DEED.

In Attendance: Tony Thomann, Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services, Beth Nelson, DEED, Craig Bakken, Anoka- Ramsey Community College – Campus, Jordan Zeller, ECRDC, Laurie Larson, DEED, Sarah Anderson, Schlagel Inc., Robert Musgrove, Pine Technical College, Char Gatewood, Crystal Cabinet Works, Matt Mathiasen, Communities Investing in Families, Christy Flaspeter, Isanti Tool Co. Inc., Heidi McManus, Pine Technical College, Anne Klein, Fairview Lakes, Steve Allen, Oak Land Cooperative, John Schlagel, Darwin Bostic, Pine City Public Schools, Craig Schultz, Braham Schools, Bridget Moeller, Greater Minnesota Credit Union, Brad Brzezinski, DEED Mary Everett, Lakes & Pines Community Action and Ray Hoheisel, Executive Director.

Minutes: Jordan Z. moved, seconded by Robert M. to approve the June 10, 2008 minutes. Motion carried.

Financial Report: John S. gave the Treasurer’s report. The balance through July 31, 2008 was $18,487.88. Revenue was from interest and membership dues/donations. It was moved by Darwin B, seconded by Robert M. to approve report. Motion carried.

Executive Director Payment for Services: Upon motion by Darwin B., seconded by Robert M. payment for 3 days for April - July was made to the Executive Director. Motion approved.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Advisory Committee - Progress Report: Jordan Z. distributed the August, 2008 Update from ECRDC Economic Development report. He noted that the Revolving Loan Fund has made two loans since the last meeting: Cambridge Heating and Air and Isanti Custom Meats. They still have money to make additional loans in 4 of the 5 counties in the region. He also noted that the Governance Committee has authorized a survey to determine local city projects and needs.

Two grants have been applied for: To supply water to the west side of the freeway in North Branch, and, to help Cambridge and Mora market their industrial parks via open houses to show local businesses what is available in the respective communities. He is looking for ideas as to how to help market the industrial parks. Finally he noted the Small Business Development Commission has helped secure financing and owner contribution of over $840,000 for creating, retaining and/or adding 20 jobs.

FIRST Project Status Report: Robert M. distributed and spoke from the FIRST Project Status Report that has recently been submitted to DEED as part of the grant requirement. The purpose of the project is to build a sustainable framework for developing and implementing regional economic development and workforce development strategies in East Central Minnesota. There are basically two dimensions to the project: workforce and economic development and marketing. He briefly explained each dimension and identified Initiative Foundation and Foote & Co. staff and their effort and progress in assisting the Northern Technology Initiative (NTI) board to accomplish the goals of the grant.

The Initiative Foundation is working on compiling survey and community meeting results. They have also put together the necessary demographic information which will support and give credence to the final plan. The marketing group has met with the NTI board to gather information about the region and is currently in process of holding a focus group meeting with advanced manufacturers asking them why they chose to move their business to the region. The end products of the marketing group effort will be to draft a “brand” and “identity” for the region, as well as doing an update of the current web site. Robert M. also responded to several questions about ENSA which is now known as TREND and that the group is working with two companies in the region to get the project started.

Employment Law Seminar and Discuss Potential “Celebration of Success” Events for 2008-09. Beth N. followed up on conversation from the June Partnership meeting about the Employment Law Seminar that is being planned for October, 2008. A date has not been set as the date is being coordinated with a like seminar to be held in St. Cloud. Nancy Bollertson of Lindquist & Vennom will give the seminar and is highly regarded for her knowledge and presentation skills. Partnership members encouraged having the seminar in the region and felt a $50.00 registration fee to cover food and meeting room expenses was very reasonable.

Potential “Celebration of Success” topics were mentioned, one being a presentation by Cameron Macht on regional demographics and statistics, the other being an unemployment insurance presentation. The unemployment insurance presentation was given in the central region and was well received by businesses who attended. Partnership members agreed that this topic would be important to east central businesses and recommended scheduling the seminar in mid-January. Gary Johnson and Wayne Johnson are the presenters and they will do the seminar at no charge. Members gave the go ahead to make plans for the presentation and if possible to hold one in the southern and the other in the northern part of the region.

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)/Wal-Mart Grant Application: Robert M. briefed members about the recently submitted grant that focuses on workforce and economic development. The grant funds are courtesy of the Wal-Mart Foundation through and managed by AACC. The two-year grant is for $50,000 and dovetails with FIRST grant goals and previous and ongoing efforts of the Manufacturing Alliance and the Partnership.

Reports and Information: Plans for the September meeting were finalized. The meeting will be devoted to a presentation by Craig Bakken, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on his department. -- Jordan Zeller, discussing the CEDS process will seek advice of Partnership members during a second presentation. -- The request for a volunteer school district for the faculty version of Gold Collared Career Day was discussed. Superintendent members suggested contacting Steve Hallan/Mark Johnson to add this to the regional in-service held in mid-January. They said in-service days are jammed to the point that even annual required in-service topics are difficult to fit in the schedule.

Adjournment and Minutes: The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 a.m. Minutes by Ray Hoheisel