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Chairperson Steffen thought it is still too early in the process for the EDA to jump in and <br />indicated his issue is this is not funded by the manufacturers. He thought the $5,000 would be <br />better used elsewhere. <br />Member Brunt asked if the Manufacturing members pay money to belong to the Chamber. <br />Chairperson Steffen stated they pay their membership dues just as the EDA does but he did not <br />see many manufacturing companies are stepping forward beyond that and if they have a <br />workforce issue they should budget for it and help solve it. He stated as far as Mr. LeTourneau <br />being a Councilmember, this budget is his salary and from what he can see most of this will be <br />staff time and right or wrong he thought this was a perception issue with him. He felt the City of <br />Ramsey should not jump on this just yet as they are trying to get the program off the ground. <br />Member Williams thought this is a great program. She agreed with Member Brunt's comments <br />because it is changing the culture and the perception of manufacturing and manufacturing is an <br />important market within their community but at the same time commerce does not stop at the <br />City boarders so having a strong region and a strong support for their high school students <br />coming out of Anoka High School is going to make Ramsey a stronger community. She thought <br />this program is very much in its infancy and unproven and thought that the resources required to <br />make this program successful, $5,000, is a small piece to contribute and the potential return on <br />their investment as a community and as an Economic Development Authority within this <br />community could be huge if they can develop this program and that is exciting. She thought this <br />could positively impact the lives of the residents in the community and she would be willing to <br />support this. <br />Member Brunt stated he had talked to Councilmember LeTourneau a long time ago when he was <br />first getting involved in the community and he was under the impression that the manufacturers <br />were making a contribution to be a part of this group. <br />Chairperson Steffen stated he saw four partners, including Connexus, and assumed they wrote a <br />check, but if there are thirty other members attending he did not hear any contribution from <br />those. <br />Member Burandt stated that was correct; they could be chamber members and come in. He <br />agreed with Member Williams comments. He stated if they look at the $5,000 compared to the <br />taxes the businesses that belong pay; that is less than half of what they pay. He stated there are <br />State Agencies but businesses are not going to the DEED reps for a reason. We need a third <br />party to represent our business community. Mr. LeTourneau is doing what the DEED reps are <br />doing but with more success and he is getting people to attend. The members do not see a <br />benefit to going to the DEED reps and they would go if they saw a return. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated this group of manufacturers typically do not join chambers so it <br />is an influx of membership to the chambers and the Chamber gives their contributions back to <br />this organization. <br />Economic Development Authority/November 5, 2015 <br />Page 4 of 8 <br />