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Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation News
Economic Development Projects: JOBS!
Healthcare Company Start Up
BLAEDC recently assisted a new chiropractic business to start in our area. Read the full story in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch here.
Babinski Modular Manufacturing
BLAEDC has been supporting Mr. Don Babinski over the past several years to launch a modular manufacturing operation in his 140,000 SF Pequot Lakes facility. Seventeen test units have been completed; State of Minnesota permitting is in process, and hopefully in the near future the manufacturing process will be in full swing. Don estimates that more than 20 new jobs could be created in the next few years as his dream is realized to build apartment units in a controlled environment and then relocate them to various sites in the Midwest.
Growing Tech Service Company Locates to Larger Facility
Scott Juranek, Micronet President, recently announced a new location for the 30+ employees of Micronet, also known as Chambermaster. The company has been growing and expanding and needed additional office space. A 7,000 SF location in Nisswa is the new home for this company.
Quality of Projects Increasing
BLAEDC has noted an increase in the quality of projects we are working with. Several companies are exploring investments in our area from manufacturing to technology and healthcare . BLAEDC is optimistic for the future.
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ED Strategies, Initiatives & Efforts
Manufacturer’s Event
BLAEDC recently sponsored a “Manufacturing Event” to highlight our existing manufacturers and showcase the amenities we have in the area to support manufacturing companies. Our keynote speaker was the new MNDEED Commissioner Mark Phillips. Read the full story in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch here. In addition several area manufacturing companies presented information about their business and impact to our area including:
1. Graphic Packaging, Greg Mangan
2. Lexington, Mike Dillon
3. Wausau Overview by Sheila Haverkamp
4. Pequot Tool & Manuf., Karlo Goerges
5. Clow Stamping, Twyla Flaws
6. Lindar Corp., John Chaussey
A state of MN and national site selector, Frank Sherwood of Cassidy and Turley, participated in the event, toured our community and spent the day with area economic development and business representatives. Frank Sherwood shared his perspectives on what every community needs for a business to consider locating there:
1. Airport with 5,000 foot runway
2. Community and Technical College
3. Quality of Life
4. Workforce
5. A Community and Local Government with a pro-business, can-do attitude
He noted the Brainerd Lakes area has these assets and feels we are in a position to grow our area and attract investments and jobs. BLAEDC is exploring how best to proceed to attract site selectors and new manufacturing companies to our area.
Technology Services Attraction Initiative Includes Addressing Workforce Issues
The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation (BLAEDC) has been leading an effort to grow technology and professional service companies in our area. Part of the equation involves workforce development initiatives. A meeting was held this spring with local businesses, Central Lakes College, area school districts, The Brainerd Lakes Chamber and BLAEDC. The purpose of the meeting was:
To enhance awareness of the area’s goal to grow “Tech Services” companies in the area.
To explore workforce needs of “Tech Services” companies.
To learn from CLC about their existing "Tech" programs, redesign possibilities and new certificate and degreed program opportunities.
To discuss opportunities to work with existing students to introduce them to local career opportunities and companies in the area.
To brainstorm other options to meet workforce needs.
The meeting was very successful and area Tech Companies shared their needs, strategies, and ideas to assure a future pipeline of “tech savvy” workers. The information gathered is being reviewed, additional data is being sought and a second meeting is being coordinated to expound on existing workforce initiatives in our community and unveil new plans based on ideas that were shared at this meeting. BLAEDC is hopeful that the “Tech Services” industry cluster will be a major player with significant jobs in our community in the years to come.
Entrepreneurs Wanted!!
A significant number of jobs come from new business start-ups and BLAEDC is looking for entrepreneurs. BLAEDC is launching enhanced initiatives to support entrepreneurialism for our area. The strategy includes a youth education component, community entrepreneurial training and a business accelerator program. (Click here to view a power point presentation providing an overview of the program.)
Iron Range Economic Alliance
BLAEDC staff is serving all of Crow Wing County including the Cuyuna Range communities and has started participating in the Iron Range Economic Alliance. This consortium of professionals is interested in furthering economic development opportunities. Learn more by visiting their website here.
New MN Economic Development Entity
At the Economic Development Association of Minnesota summer conference Michael Langley and Mark Lofthus delivered a presentation that included information on the new entity recently formed in the metro area “Greater MSP – Minneapolis St. Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership”. Economic development is always changing and evolving and several metro area business leaders have joined together to positively impact the economic future of MN. Learn more by visiting their website here.
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Community Development
Minnesota Housing Institute
BLAEDC has participated with other area representatives to explore county wide housing needs and develop projects to address those needs. The Crow Wing County Housing and Redevelopment Authority lead the effort for a team of area leaders to participate in a program titled “Minnesota Housing Institute” sponsored by Greater MN Housing Fund and MN Housing Partnership. Priorities identified for Crow Wing County include affordable home ownership and redevelopment & infill of neighborhood housing stock. Long term the group would like to see a local revolving fund for ongoing housing needs identified by our communities. Two projects are currently being considered including a grant application to participate in reducing assessments in the Brainerd Oaks subdivision and partnering with Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity for acquisition and redevelopment of blighted homes and resale for home ownership.
Region 5 HUD Sustainable Community Initiative
BLAEDC has been participating in the Economic Development work group for Region 5’s Sustainable Community Initiative. Recently economic development professionals have been reviewing the recommendations of the work group and organizing the data to consider strategies and initiatives. Recommendations of the work group center on technology, workforce, infrastructure, environment, and financing.
Airport Service
BLAEDC is participating in and supporting efforts to assure air service is available in our area. Click here to read a recent article in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch. A recent visit by a site selector to our community indicated a major consideration by companies to locate in an area include the availability of an airport with various amenities.
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BLAEDC News
Ongoing Staff Training
BLAEDC staff continually attends conferences and seminars to stay on the cutting edge of economic development tools and opportunities as well as establish relationships and networks with key industry leaders. This past quarter staff participated in several courses including:
- Erika O'Brien – Social Media, Basic Economic Development Course and the DEED’s new MNPRO.com website portal.
- John Gunstad – National Development Council “Navigating Changing Times” training
- Sheila Haverkamp – An annual conference by the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) titled “Economic Development is a Contact Sport “ in addition to capital improvement budgeting and DEED’s new mnpro.com website portal.
BLAEDC Members Participate in June 9th Manufacturing Event
BLAEDC members were invited to attend a BLAEDC Sponsored Manufacturing Event held at the former Stock Building Supply in the new Potlatch Industrial Area in west Baxter. Those who attended were surprised at this unique industrial property that exists in our community. (Click here to view more information on this available property.) More information on the event is above.
BLAEDC’s Executive Director Focus of CLC Newsletter Story
Did you know that Sheila Haverkamp is a Central Lakes College graduate? See the CLC Newsletter story about Sheila here.
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