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<br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked the number of businesses in Ramsey in total. <br /> <br />Deputy City Administrator Gladhill estimated 350 to 500 businesses in total as there are <br />homebased businesses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked for details on why the cohort funds raised are kept separate. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau replied that the Chamber Board made a specific request that the cohort self-fund <br />and therefore funds raised for that purpose stay separate from the Chamber. He confirmed that his <br />salary is included in those dollars along with programing and other costs the cohort has, such as <br />payment to speakers. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if the equipment that students were able to gain through this <br />program were gained through use of the fund or donated. <br /> <br />Mr. LeTourneau replied that it was neither. He explained that the cohort solicited private <br />businesses and individuals that were willing to contribute donations to support that need. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated that she likes details and facts, and a lot of the information was <br />generic. She stated that it would have been nice to have more specific information related to the <br />equipment that was needed and the value the 21 Ramsey businesses have received. She reviewed <br />some of the ways a student could gain information on available employment opportunities. She <br />asked if there is a manufacturing job fair at the high school. <br /> <br />Dr. Law replied that the schools bring kids out on buses to job sites, as that allows students to <br />better understand the actual job sites and that manufacturing is not dirty and oily as it was in the <br />past. He stated that spending time onsite with the support of a teacher provides a student with <br />much more understanding of the career option which the student is able to share with other <br />students. He stated that it is a completely different experience to have a student that has <br />experienced the job site provide details to other students. He confirmed that the schools also have <br />job fairs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked how many businesses come to a job fair. <br /> <br />Dr. Law replied that there are hundreds of businesses that attend. He stated that the job fairs are <br />centrally located in order to provide exposure to more students. He stated that the cohort works <br />with the school district on internship placement but is also involved in the job fair. He stated that <br />they have six internships this year, which is lower than typical because of COVID and the <br />difficulties the district has had in even having students in person this year. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked if this would be similar to DECA or a work program which <br />allows a student to spend half the day in school and half at work. <br /> <br />Dr. Law replied that there were changes in funding and graduation requirements therefore students <br />need to be in school for the majority of the four years in order to graduate. He explained that they <br />City Council / May 11, 2021 <br />Page 9 of 20 <br /> <br />