03-09-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Report From the Co-Chairs iik he year 2000 brought continued success to The Metro East MEDP instituted The Metro East Broadcast,our new monthly Development Partnership. In only the second year of a three- newsletter in the year 2000 in an effort to keep investors informed of year plan,MEDP has already met or exceeded many of the staff and MEDP activities. This is part of a continuing effort to goals it set for itself. Other projects are underway and should be suc- promote the organization within the region,to attract additional cessfully completed in the year 2001. investors and solicit additional leads. A primary goal of the organization has been to continually revise and We also began the"Metro East Connections"program. Connections improve its prospect handling procedures to better qualify leads and is another internal marketing program. This endeavor was geared successfully complete a higher percentage of projects. In an industry toward uniting our public and private sector members through a series where a 10%success ratio is considered good,MEDP has consis- of informational meetings. Communities are given an opportunity to tently outperformed its competitors with a success ratio at or near showcase their commercial and industrial properties and present their 17%. In the year 2000,the success ratio for MEDP hit 25%. Our comprehensive plans to the development community. Most challenge now is to maintain that rate of success while attracting a communities even offered a tour of their properties. Sessions were higher number of prospects. held in Oakdale, Shoreview,Eagan,Chisago County,and Woodbury in 2000. We are planning to continue with this project; six MEDP ventured into new territory in the year 2000;we welcomed Connections are planned for 2001. Chisago County into the partnership. Chisago County provides MEDP clients with additional options as they consider their site loca- We have some new developments planned for the coming year. We tion needs. With its rural character and small communities,Chisago will be undertaking a four-county comprehensive analysis of the labor County complements the attributes available in Dakota,Ramsey,and market. The study will focus on wage and benefit analysis, Washington counties. commuting patterns,education and training levels,and supply and demand. We have targeted five industries for specific analysis; Working in tandem with the Saint Paul Capital Fund and Saint Paul insurance,information technology,computer components,medical Progress,MEDP,for the first time,has been able to offer clients fi- diagnostic equipment,and manufacturing. We will also be comparing assistance. These new partners have provided assistance in our labor force to several other major midwest markets. We of equity and gap financing. In the first six months of op- anticipate that this study will be completed by mid-year. one investment was approved and others have been pre- O' n sentedd to the finance committees of the two funds for consideration. We will also be making an effort to update our technology. We want These new partnerships have also allowed MEDP to expand its staff to provide our clients with a product that is equal to that provided by by adding a Director of Finance. our competitors. Proposals will be developed and delivered utilizing the latest technology and will incorporate data,photographs,and MEDP attended its first international trade show. The International maps delivered in hard copy and in digital form. Manufacturing Technology Show, held in Chicago, was a great op- portunity for MEDP. MEDP staff, along with several volunteers Finally,as we enter the final year of our three-year plan,it is time to staffed the booth, called on exhibitors, and promoted the East Metro prepare for the next three years. We will be undertaking a to businesses who utilize the latest technology in their manufacturing comprehensive analysis of our core goals and functions to ensure that processes. This trade show was chosen because it complemented our we are meeting the needs of our investors and partners. All members efforts to work with industries that provide high skill, high technol- of the partnership will have an opportunity to provide input during ogy jobs. this process. We made several improvements in our marketing efforts. MEDP We are pleased that 2000 was a successful year for the Metro East made a substantial investment to upgrade its web page. These up- Development Partnership. We are confident that in 2001,MEDP will grades will provide users with the information they need to make meet the ambitious goals it set for itself three years ago. sound business decisions. Demographic data is now available on the site, along with the ability to make real estate queries and apply for financial assistance. As the new census data becomes available, MEDP will load the regional information onto the site to provide Jack Piepel Mayor Jay Kimble members, clients, and other users with data specific to the East 2000 Private Sector 2000 Public Sector Metro. Co-Chair Co-Chair 0 MEDP Staff EavidJ. a Director Marketing Specialist Director,Finance David J.Piggott Lena H.Jacobson Cathy Harms 651.265.2760 651.265.2763 651.265.2792 Administrative Assistant Director,Business Development Kathryn S.Price Arnie Wetterlin 651.265.2761 651.265.2762