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Mr. LeTourneau thought workforce acquisition was one of the top items they are focusing on <br />right now. He stated the Chamber does not set the direction, the manufacturers in the group set <br />it. He reviewed the workforce acquisition definition with the EDA. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau stated if they are going to support manufacturing and the acquisition of a <br />workforce they need to address the aging workforce, low interest in working with manufacturing, <br />the general awareness of manufacturing, job knowledge, screening practices, discuss temp <br />agencies being used and how to better utilize them. They also need to work on perception, <br />wages, assessment, communication, culture, reliability of the workforce and the generational <br />factors and the actual low workforce inventory. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau stated on May 16, 2017 they will be talking about a manufacturing camp. He <br />stated in February they had a career signing day which was a commitment to manufacturing <br />through the High Schools and college. They are also doing monthly tours of manufacturing <br />companies. He reviewed some of the upcoming events they will be holding. <br /> <br />Member Brunt stated one of the concerns he has is that the manufacturers go to the State Labor <br />representatives and they wind up being presented with a bunch of bodies which is not solving <br />their problem. A lot of manufacturing companies need people who are properly trained through <br />some type of tech training. <br /> <br />Member Skaff asked if there was any way for the Board to see a proof of investment. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau indicated there are statistics that talk about employment, specifically in Anoka <br />County and he could provide those numbers. He stated he would love to work with staff and <br />identify what that looks like in Ramsey and find a way to attach their name to the success. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked how many members are there. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau stated currently the membership in manufacturing is around 35. When they <br />started, they had 14 manufacturing members with 600 members in the Chamber. He stated the <br />goal is to increase membership and serve the manufacturing industry. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if the 35 manufacturing members pay dues above the Chamber dues. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau indicated they did not. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked who this is funded by beside cities. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau noted their trusted partner list is Connexus Energy, Anoka Municipal Utility, <br />Anoka Technical and Community College, Anoka County, First Minnesota Bank, City of <br />Ramsey, Klein Bank and for many years The Bank of Elk River, but they have decided not to <br />participate this year. <br /> <br />Chairperson Steffen asked if there were plans to go around to other cities for support. <br /> <br />Economic Development Authority/April 13, 2017 <br />Page 5 of 10 <br /> <br />