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the facilitator of this process on behalf of the Anoka Area Chamber. <br />Notification: <br />N/A <br />Observations/Alternatives: <br />Mr. Letourneau has been active over the past year working on workforce issues and education. His work has <br />included research and education in the most recent trends relating to workforce readiness and coordination between <br />school district, professional and industry partners. He has also presented increasing access and equity in career & <br />technical education to the Bipartisan House Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus in Washington, DC. He <br />has worked the the Department of Labor and industry and worked to get Cohort Members connected to grant <br />programs and education opportunities. In addition, John was involved in outreach to the Cohort to work with <br />connections to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) readiness. <br />Due to COVID-19, there has been less programming and events available for Staff. Here are the structured events <br />and meetings that City Staff has attended since in 2020 <br />. 1/23/20 Rapid Packaging Tour - Champlin <br />There was a July 2020 Manufacturing Cohort - Covid and Manufacturing that staff did not attend. <br />Typically the Cohort would have had a Manufacturing Career Signing day at Anoka Technical College. However, <br />due to COVID-19, this event did not occur this year. Staff is hopeful that there will be more <br />programming/events/visits when conditions are more favorable. <br />Funding Source: <br />Consistent with the past several years, the City is being asked to consider funding $5,000.00. This expense has <br />historically come from the EDA Budget. <br />Other Trusted Sponsors that have provided 2019-2020 financial support for the Manufacture Cohort include: Anoka <br />Technical College, Connexus Energy, Anoka Public Utility (City of Anoka), Village Bank and Rapid Packaging. <br />Recommendation: <br />Considering Ramsey's limited internal resources (staff time) to pro -actively and effectively address large regional <br />issues that effect our manufactures, the Anoka Area Chamber Manufacture Cohort provides the City an efficient <br />opportunity to get involved. The group has a focus on workforce development and this is a pressing issue in today's <br />economy and our local businesses. The Cohort group has provided a helpful service to our local <br />businesses/manufactures (i.e. B & F Fastener Supply, Minnesota Tool and Die, Dynamic Group, Life Fitness, Hoya <br />Vision Care and others). <br />Staff is seeking broad policy direction from the EDA at this point as to whether or not to continue our financial <br />contribution to this specific program of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. <br />Action: <br />Motion to recommend that the City continue/not continue its contribution to the Anoka Area Chamber of <br />Commerce Manufacture Cohort. <br />2019 2020 Manufacture Cohort Recap <br />2020 Ramsey Manufacturers and Trusted Sponsors <br />2020 2021 Workplan <br />Attachments <br />