Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 05/25/2017

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Steffen, Members Skaff, Brunt, Burandt, Hardin, Riley, and Williams. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 4.03: Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce: Manufacturers Cohort: 2017 Partnership Subscription Renewal Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated the City of Ramsey is a member of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce has a rich history of success in catering to the needs of retail, food, and professional service industries. The Chamber specializes in events, marketing and networking. Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama presented the staff report. Economic Dev. Mgr/Assistant City Administrator Brama stated staff would suggest next year the EDA taking a step back and look at the rate of return on investment and a little detailed analysis. Mr. John LeTourneau, Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, stated the cohort was assembled a number of years ago and has good energy and continues to build. It is very much relationship building so they are continuing to build stronger relationships with manufacturing. They are also very interested in being known or recognized as the content manager around work force, work force acquisition and the support of manufacturing and he saw that as continuing to build. He stated their mission has become a catalyst for strengthening community manufacturing, accelerating a transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation, job creation and economic growth. The things they are committed to, the three buckets they are focusing on are work force acquisition, work force or recumbent development and continuous improvement. Those are the three things manufacturers have reached out to the Chamber and indicated that is what they absolutely need to have help with. They are prepared to address all those issues and show value and continue to do that. Mr. LeTourneau stated the Chamber thought for sure that this would not have any connection whatsoever to the local chamber because of the way the manufacturers think more regionally, nationally and globally. However, what they are finding is they do have quite a bit of relative value for them. He reviewed some of the companies they have relationships with in Ramsey. He asked the EDA for their continued support. Manager Brunt asked for more information for the EDA regarding workforce acquisition and working with the Chamber. He stated he supported this because as a community he felt they needed to reach into places like Anoka Technical College to provide people. Many manufacturers today complain that they can't get enough qualified people, and he thought part of the problem was they are looking in the wrong place. Mr. LeTourneau thought workforce acquisition was one of the top items they are focusing on right now. He stated the Chamber does not set the direction, the manufacturers in the group set it. He reviewed the workforce acquisition definition with the EDA. Economic Development Authority/April 13, 2017 Page 4 of 10