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E • < i3eLan' „,. m7....,.:....-:::- „..,,--_..,..:.. c DeVe0Pm7r . r ` T 'Lad by Jonathan Kalstrom ".tet seems that the Land of 10.000 Lakes could just as easily have, development efforts go. "[Minnesota Technology] is considered m called the Land of Economic Development, considering all the' very innovative because it is set up as a public, not-for-profit cor- _enorganizations located here that are dedicated to helping poration outside of state government.”he says. to Minnesota Technology offers four basic programs. One helps The business of economic development, of course. is to stimu- small and medium-sized manufacturers by providing knowledge the growth of new companies and to ensure that those already and expertise to improve manufacturing.by helping develop prod- :xistence are supported as tliev expand.To that end.Minnesota ucts. by getting new technologies in companies and by addressing :.:rs an abundance of programs involving loans. grants. equity quality and management issues. ds, technical and educational assistance. and more to help "One of the things that we have discovered. and its one of the npanies interested in growing in Minnesota. trends nationally. is that the role of the public sector is not neces- Hforts ranee from economic-development programs designed sarily to give money but to provide sort of an objective eye"(par- lolster start-up businesses, to specific assistance that focuses ticularly in these manufacturing areas to companies to do what individual industries. to organizations that devote their anen- they want to accomplish."Koppel says9 n to certaic..egions—You-trtay-be-sur-pr-ised-te-learn. howeverr vet-that provi-ding financing has ceased to lie a portion of eco- : some of Minnesota's most active economic-development nomic-development assistance. The second program Minnesota its have less to do with writing a check than they do with Technology operates is a S7 million equity fund with which it ging on information. • takes an equity position in small technology and manufacturing 3elow is a look at a few of these innovative programs and companies. Third. Minnesota Technology directs a defense-con- .amples of businesses they have helped in the state. version program that helps small suppliers to the defense industry look at commercial alternatives for their products as defense ct. spending is curtailed. � y-! I.-t c, -,,‘ And fourth. Minnesota Technology provides a program that T • �. `y _• makes the latest technology information from national �i^" 3I:1 sem. t- v � i;, • databases available to small companies. to e Minnesota Project Innovation Minnesota Technology Another statewide agency designed to help bolster 'ale chnology, located in Minneapolis, is one statewsuccess growcompanies is Minnesota Project at provides assistance to business owners. ,As a non-ide Innothevation,a nonprofit organizationing founded in 1984. • c 4ration established in 1991 by the state legislature, "As a state,we have numerous resources—they're there for the :esota Technology helps companies become more competitive asking."says Randall Olson.executive director of MPI.As a non- :lering an array of services. profit, economic-development organization. MPI is part of the ...cques Koppel, president of Minnesota Technology, says the state's strategy to strengthen Minnesota's economy and preserve :ise behind the organization is unique as far as economic- and increase jobs by offering specialized services to small busi-