Agenda - Council - 05/11/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

manufacturing businesses, this initiative needs financial support to keep operating. The purpose of this case is to consider continued support of the Manufacture Cohort by providing $5,000 for the 2020-2021 program year. These dollars would be utilized for "facilitation/ operation" expenses related to the Manufacturing Cohort (meetings/communications/ etc.). NOTE: the City has supported the program 2016-2020. The Manufacturing Cohort has provided attachments recapping the 2019-2020 timeframe, outlining a work plan for 2020-2021, a listing of participating Ramsey businesses and words of support from Ramsey businesses . The current focus is on workforce development, education and coordination. Mr. John LeToumeau serves as the facilitator of this process on behalf of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Letourneau has been active over the past year working on workforce issues and education. His work has included research and education in the most recent trends relating to workforce readiness and coordination between school district, professional and industry partners. He has also presented increasing access and equity in career & technical education to the Bipartisan House Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus in Washington, DC. He has worked the the Department of Labor and Industry and worked to get Cohort Members connected to grant programs and education opportunities. In addition, Mr. LeTourneau was involved in outreach to the Cohort to work with connections to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) readiness. Due to COVID-19, there has been less programming and events available for Staff. Here are the structured events and meetings that City Staff has attended since in 2020 • 1/23/20 Rapid Packaging Tour - Champlin • There was a July 2020 Manufacturing Cohort - Covid and Manufacturing that staff did not attend. Typically the Cohort would have had a Manufacturing Career Signing day at Anoka Technical College earlier his year. However, due to COVID-19, this event did not occur this year. Staff is hopeful that there will be more programming/events/visits when conditions are more favorable. The Anoka Area Chamber Manufacture Cohort provides the City an additional opportunity to get involved to pro -actively and effectively address large regional issues that effect our manufacturers. The group has a focus on workforce development and this is a pressing issue in today's economy and our local businesses. The Cohort group has provided a service to many of our local businesses/manufactures (i.e. B & F Fastener Supply, Minnesota Tool and Die, Dynamic Group, Life Fitness, Hoya Vision Care and others). Funding Source: Consistent with the past several years, the City is being asked to consider funding $5,000.00. This expense has historically come from the EDA Budget. Other Trusted Sponsors that have provided 2019-2020 financial support for the Manufacture Cohort include: Anoka Technical College, Connexus Energy, Anoka Public Utility (City of Anoka), Village Bank and Rapid Packaging. The City of Anoka has renewed for the 2020-2021 year. Recommendation: On a 5-2 vote, the EDA discussed this item at the January 14, 2021 and recommended that the City Council to continue its contribution to the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Manufacture Cohort. A copy of the January 14, 2021 EDA Minutes is attached. Action: Motion to adopt Resolution #21-124 approving Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Manufactures Cohort 2020-2021 Renewal. Attachments