In PARTNERSHIP
St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership
Monthly E - Newsletter
In PARTNERSHIP
St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership
Monthly E - Newsletter
July 2008
Quote of the Day
We are not put on this earth for ourselves, but are placed here for each other.
If you are always there for others, then in time of need, someone will be there for you.
-- Jeff Warner, printed in “Five Star Teamwork: How to Achieve Success…Together.”
INSERT golf info and sponsorship info here
DEED SUMMER TOUR FOCUSES ON JOBZ, DEVELOPMENT
Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s programs and JOBZ? Consider attending the regional DEED summer briefing, scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 at the Initiative Foundation’s offices in Little Falls.
For more information, click here. No RSVP is necessary and lunch is on your own.
U.S. EMPLOYERS SHED 62,000 JOBS IN JUNE; HALF IN MANUFACTURING
U.S. employers shed 62,000 non-farm jobs in June, signaling that the world's largest economy is struggling to maintain momentum, the latest Labor Department report showed. The unemployment rate held steady last month at 5.5%. The number of job losses was slightly worse than most economists had expected.
"Employment continued to fall in construction, manufacturing, and employment services, while health care and mining added jobs," the report said. The U.S. economy has lost jobs every month of this year so far, and June's job losses followed a loss of a revised 62,000 positions in May. Economists say the U.S. economy needs to create about 100,000 jobs every month to keep up with new workers.
Job losses were particularly heavy in the goods-producing, construction, manufacturing and service sectors. A total of 43,000 positions were lost in the construction industry which has been hit hard by a lengthy slump in the housing market. The manufacturing sector suffered a loss of 33,000 positions while professional and business services firms trimmed their payrolls by 51,000 positions.
Manufacturing, especially the auto sector, has been impacted by a slowdown in economic growth in the past year which has also been exacerbated by a credit squeeze in the banking industry and rocketing crude oil prices. Retailers shed 8,000 jobs while the education and health care sectors added 29,000 new jobs. A gain of 24,000 posts in the leisure and hospitality sectors also helped offset some of last month's job losses.
NEW POSITIVELY MINNESOTA MARKETING MATERIALS AVAILABLE
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has produced a new brochure and the first in a series of new fact sheets that promote the state to new business prospects, with a special emphasis on bioscience.
In June, 80 Minnesotans went to San Diego to attend the international BIO’08 conference, which provided an opportunity to visit with manufacturers of medical devices, pharmaceutical companies, education/research institutions, and businesses poised for expansion. Representatives from St. Cloud State University, DCI, and Sun Plastics participated in the event, which featured a new Minnesota pavilion, a mini-theatre showcasing presentations from Minnesota-based companies, plus individual meetings with business prospects that are interested in coming here. The St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership and the Science Initiative of Central Minnesota co- sponsored the exhibit.
Click here to see the new fact sheets. Here's the new Positively Minnesota brochure.
(DOROTHY, PLEASE VERIFY THESE LINKS)
MINNESOTA OFFERS $2.7 MILLION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANTS
The State of Minnesota will offer $2.7 million in matching grants to qualified organizations for the purpose of helping Minnesota develop energy sources that displace fossil fuels with renewable energy technologies. Grants are limited to 50 percent of the cost of research, technical assistance or equipment related to bioenergy production or up to $1 million, whichever is less. Grants to non-governmental entities for the development of business plans and structure related to community ownership of eligible bioenergy facilities together may not exceed $150,000.
The grants will be issued by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the NextGen Energy Board. Eligible applicants include owners of Minnesota facilities producing bioenergy; organizations that provide for on-station, on-farm field-scale research and outreach to develop and test the agronomic requirements of diverse stands of prairie plants and other perennials for bioenergy systems; or certain non-governmental entities for development of business plans and structure related to community ownership.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on July 31, 2008. Proposals will not be accepted by email or fax. For more information contact:
Andrew H. Carter
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
625 Robert St. N
Saint Paul, MN. 55155-2538
651-201-5699
HOFFMAN NAMED TO BLANDIN BROADBAND STRATEGY BOARD
Benton County Economic Development Director Nancy Hoffman has been named to Blandin Foundation’s Broadband Initiative Strategy Board, which charts the direction of the foundation’s initiative to enhance telecommunications in rural communities.
“We have been successful because of the quality of the professionals who have agreed to serve on this Strategy Board,” said Bernadine Joselyn, director of Public Policy and Engagement for the Blandin Foundation. “With the pragmatism, experience and successes that Nancy brings to the board, we are well positioned to help rural communities establish the local leadership needed to create high-speed communication network accessibility that works for their schools, businesses, healthcare institutions, government offices and homes.”
Joselyn pointed out that communities without broadband accessibility are economically
sidelined but rural communities that invest in ultra high-speed communication networks have the tools they need to attract and expand businesses, add jobs, strengthen health care capabilities, improve educational efficacy and increase the quality of life.
U.S. GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION PROCESS TO BE ENHANCED
The U.S. Green Building Council is changing its certification process for green buildings through its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. A 30-day online public comment period ended June 22, and the new version, dubbed LEED 2009, is slated to debut in January.
More than 1,500 buildings have received LEED certification since the program was introduced in 2000, and more than 11,000 are seeking it.
In those eight years, the USGBC has changed the way architects, contractors and developers design and construct buildings. Even structures that don't pursue LEED certification are increasingly incorporating sustainable practices. Such steps include increased energy efficiency, daylighting, recycling materials, non-polluting carpet and paint, and low-flow water fixtures and toilets.
LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party. Depending on the number of points earned, a building is awarded a certified, silver, gold or platinum ranking. Next year the categories will be expanded to include the new highest level --emerald, of course.
For more information about green building concepts, LEED certification, and to network with key resource people in Central Minnesota, don’t miss the Partnership’s annual fall real estate seminar, tour and golf outing, scheduled for Thursday, September 11.
MINNESOTA RANKS HIGH IN MILKEN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY INDEX
Minnesota ranks 11th in the nation on the Milken Institute’s latest Technology and Science Index, which shows which states are best positioned to achieve economic growth.
The index looks at 77 unique indicators that are categorized into five major components:
- Human Capital Investment
- Research and Development Inputs
- Risk Capital and Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
- Technology and Science Work Force
- Technology Concentration and Dynamism
Complete state-by-state rankings are available by clicking here.
DEGROOTE TO SPEAK AT SUMMER VENTURE CAMP
Dr. David DeGroote, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at St. Cloud State University and Partnership board member, will participate on a panel discussing economic development and venture creation at The Collaborative’s Summer Venture Camp on Thursday, July 17 at Metropolitan State University’s St. Paul Campus. For more information, click here.
MINNESOTA HIGH TECH TRADE MISSION TO CHINA PLANNED
Hoping to bolster trade between China and Minnesota tech companies, the Minnesota High Technology Association (MHTA) and the Minnesota Trade Office are organizing a trade mission to China this fall.The groups will lead a mission to explore business development opportunities in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The trip will run from Oct. 10 through Oct. 16.
The Minnesota High Technology Association, which represents more than 300 high-tech companies and educational institutions throughout the state, hopes to get market and industry information about China's high tech sector. It's also aiming to make business contacts and explore opportunities for technology exchanges and partnerships on the mission, as well as promote Minnesota exports to China. The group will visit the China Hi-Tech Fair, an international event drawing participants from across the world.
Applications are available from the Minnesota Trade Office. Selected companies will pay $5,000 to $5,500 for round trip airfare, ground transportation in China and hotel accommodations.
TWIN CITIES REGION CONTINUES TO RANK 15TH IN U.S. TECH JOBS
The annual Cybercities report compiled by the American Electronics Association (AeA), ranked Minneapolis-St. Paul 15th in the nation with 98,100 tech jobs in 2006, the most recent available year. That's the same ranking the region has had since 2001.
The Cybercities report tracks metropolitan-area trends in high-tech industry employment, wages, establishments, payrolls, employment concentration and wages. The Twin Cities' reputation for med-tech talent was borne out; the region ranked No. 1 nationally in that category, with 12,100 electromedical equipment jobs and it ranked No. 3 for measuring and control instruments manufacturing with 11,100 jobs.
Overall, California's San Jose/Silicon Valley area topped the list in high-tech employment, and was joined by the New York Metro Area, Washington D.C., Boston and Dallas-Fort Worth to round out the top five.
For the report, Minneapolis-St. Paul was defined as Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties of Minnesota, along with Wisconsin's Pierce and St. Croix counties. Perhaps the ranking could be higher if they would include Stearns and Benton counties.
NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Construction is well underway on the Northstar train stations. Local officials and Northstar supporters broke ground for the commuter rail station in Anoka, Coon Rapids and Big Lake and they expect to break ground on the Elk River station later this summer.
Workers continue grading the sites, getting materials into place and completing other crucial site preparations. To see what you can expect when the stations open in 2009, take a look at new fact sheets posted on the Northstar web site:
At the downtown Minneapolis station site, crews are reconstructing Fifth Street North and have begun to install the rail track segments that will allow the Hiawatha Light Rail Line to connect with Northstar outside of the future Twins' Ballpark. The Hiawatha Line will offer Northstar Commuter Rail passengers connecting service to the Metrodome, Mall of America, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and stops in-between.
To keep up-to-date and check out photos of construction, go to www.mn-GetOnBoard.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – SAVE THE DATE
– DEED On the Road Summer Tour, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, Initiative Foundation, Little Falls.
– Partnership Executive Committee, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, Partnership offices.
– Science Initiative After Hours, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, Gray Plant Mooty, downtown St. Cloud.
– Partnership Real Estate Seminar, Golf Outing and Tour, Thursday, September 11, Eagle Trace Golfers Club, Clearwater.
Quote of the Day
“In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital.” Warren G. Bennis -- American scholar, organizational consultant and author, widely regarded as a pioneer of the contemporary field of leadership studies.
PARTNERSHIP COURTING 40 PROSPECTS REPRESENTING OVER 2,000 NEW JOBS
Partnership staff are working with a list of over 40 active prospects that collectively represent over 2,000 new jobs for the region with requirements of over 2 million square feet of commercial and industrial space. Highlights of the Partnership’s prospect report were shared with board members, associate members and community leaders at a special mid-year business development outlook seminar in conjunction with the May 21 board meeting. St. Cloud Regional Airport Director Bill Towle also reviewed the exciting construction and planning underway for facility expansion that is slated to begin this year. For highlights, watch your mail and e-mail for the mid-year Partnership Report to be released by the end of June or visit the Partnership website.
CENTRAL MINNESOTA MANUFACTURERS TEAM UP TO ADDRESS COMMON ISSUES
Nearly 100 manufacturers in the Greater St. Cloud Area of Central Minnesota are working together to address workforce and business
development issues. A relatively new organization, the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association (CMMA), generally meets monthly for breakfast, followed by an issues discussion and plant tour. CMMA Steering Committee members Linda Besse, Les Engel and Bruce Peterson were featured in a recent St. Cloud Times news article, which noted that the association is working to become a unified voice for area manufacturers, whose sector makes up about 16.4 percent of jobs in Central Minnesota. Interested in membership? Click here.
STEM: MEETING THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE FOR INNOVATION
Advances in science and engineering are essential to ensure America’s economic growth and national security. During the next decade, U.S. demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase at four times the rate for all other occupations. To learn how Minnesota’s K-12 education system stacks up, click here to view the 2008 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Report Card, click here.
JOBZ: SAVED BY THE BELL IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE
After much discussion at the committee level this session, the Minnesota Legislature did not make major changes in the JOBZ program. This is good news for the cities of St. Cloud and Sartell, which administer some 100 acres of JOBZ-designated land in Central Minnesota and have effectively utilized the state tax benefit program to help retain 900 jobs, grow 600 new jobs and spur $40 million in new capital investment in the region.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) sought legislative approval to extend the program beyond 2015. Several administrative changes relating to improved reporting and actions on subsidy agreements already executed, did become law. However, the good news is that the Legislature did not terminate the program as had been proposed in both the House and Senate. DEED will roll out these changes in coming weeks, but the most important, immediate one is that DEED must now approve a Business Subsidy Agreement before it becomes effective. Special thanks to area legislators who support the continuation of this very valuable state incentive which keeps Minnesota competitive with neighboring states.
$53.9 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT AWARDED FOR NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR COMMUTER RAIL
The Northstar Commuter Rail project is moving ahead at full throttle. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the project an installment of $53.9 million to fund the construction of the 40-mile commuter rail line, which will run from Minneapolis to Big Lake and eventually to Becker and St. Cloud.
The federal government will contribute $156.8 million towards the project’s $320 million cost. “This line will ease traffic congestion on the I-94 and Highway 10 corridors, and will give commuters an alternative to fighting with traffic,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar, who chairs the House Transportation Committee. “The population of the Twin Cities northwest suburbs is growing at an incredible rate; if we do not create alternatives for commuters, traffic on Highway 10 will slow to half its current speed by 2025. Northstar is part of a comprehensive approach to address the long- term problem of congestion in the Twin Cities.”
One recent study shows the significant cost of traffic congestion on Minnesota’s economy. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, Minnesota motorists and businesses pay $1.1 billion a year in wasted fuel and lost time because of congestion on Minnesota’s highways. Nationally, that figure is $78 billion a year. “I call it a congestion tax. Congested roads mean that goods, services and people do not move efficiently, and we all pay this congestion tax one way or another,” said Oberstar.
Northstar will take an estimated 2,600 cars off the road each day that will save over a million gallons of gasoline each year. It is also expected to stimulate development and economic growth along the commuter rail line. Developers are planning up to $3 billion in new construction projects in housing, shopping and service businesses along the Northstar line, thus far.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS – SAVE THE DATE
Partnership Board, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, Partnership offices.
Partnership Marketing Committee, 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 23, Partnership offices.
Independence Day, Friday, July 4, Partnership offices closed.
Partnership Executive Committee, 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, Partnership offices.
Partnership Real Estate Seminar, Tour and Golf Outing, Thursday, September 11, Eagle Trace Golfers Club, Clearwater.
OUR MISSION
The St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership, Inc., a public-private membership organization, is dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality of the greater St. Cloud area. Our mission is to generate high quality jobs and tax base by promoting and facilitating the growth of existing businesses and the development of new businesses in key economic sectors.
