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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy2016-2021
i
IntroductionRegion Nine Development Commission is designated by the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) as south central Minnesota’s Economic Development District (EDD). The organizational structure focuses on regionalism, which creates a unique perspective of the area’s economy. Being designated as the area EDD, Region Nine is responsible for the development and oversight of the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The CEDS creates a foundation for regional economic development and captures the unique regional perspective related to economic development. Throughout the development of the CEDS, the region created strategies to help mitigate our threats, overcome our weaknesses and capitalize on our strengths to create a more viable and prosperous region. Woven throughout the CEDS is components of economic resilience. Much of the region’s unique vulnerabilities are articulated in both the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis and throughout several goals and strategies in the plan. The goals and strategies construct a foundation for increased regional resiliency and support any economic mitigation efforts for future natural or economic disasters. The CEDS was developed with the vision to promote the economic and socio-economic development in the region through intergovernmental cooperation, long-range planning, strategic planning and technical assistance.
The CEDS will ultimately enhance and support current and future economic development efforts in the region and engage local, regional, state and federal partners. Region Nine and it’s public, private and non-profit partners will champion and advance effective, sustainable and resilient rural economic development in south central Minnesota. The goals and strategies will align with a five-year life span of the CEDS.
In 2012, the Minnesota Association of Development Organizations (MADO) began working on a Greater Minnesota development strategy, DevelopMN. DevelopMN establishes the strategic framework for coordinated action to create a greater overall development impact in Greater Minnesota. During DevelopMN’s creation, four cornerstones were identified as key components of strong regions and communities: human capital, economic competitiveness, community resources and foundational assets. To ensure alignment between state and regional plans, Region Nine designed its regional planning process and its CEDS on these four cornerstones.
Region Nine Board of DirectorsBrad Ahrenstorff, Blue Earth County, ChairEric Anderson, City of Mankato*Gary Sturm, Watonwan County, SecretaryGerri Lienke, Waseca CountyJim Broich, Brown CountyJim Swanson, Sibley CountyPhil Schafer, Martin County, Vice ChairSteve Rohlfing, Le Sueur County, TreasurerTerry Genelin, Nicollet CountyTom Loveall, Faribault County
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
South Central Workforce Council | CEDS CommitteeAmanda Mackie, Community Based OrganizationsBill Aufderheide, ConstructionBill Meyer, ManufacturingCandace Fenske, Hospitals/Health CareChristine Bauman, Rehabilitation ServicesDeb Barnes, Long Term Health Care Dennis Siemer, Electrical & Component ManufacturingDr. Susan Tarnowski, Post-Secondary EducationDuane Lambrecht, Business and IndustryGrant Moody, Business and Industry Jim Abraham, Employment ServicesJoan Tesdahl, Social ServicesJohn Schons, Non-profit OrganizationJon Nowak, Organized LaborKaren Wolters, EducationLarry Treptow, Concrete ManufacturingLinsey Preuss, Economic Development*Reggie Worlds, Employment Services*Shane Meier, Organized LaborTim Wenzel, Machining ManufacturingWilliam FitzSimmons, Finance
Region Nine Community and Economic Development Planning CommitteeBlair Nelson, Waseca County**Bob Broeder, Le Sueur County**Charles Schmitz, City of New Ulm**Gary Sturm, Watonwan County**Mike Pfeil, School Districts**Rick Scholtes, Faribault County**John Pioske, Sibley County**Olivia Lippert, Youth**Chuck Zieman, City of St. Peter**Terry Anderson, City of Fairmont**April Femrite, Coldwell Banker Commercial Fisher GroupBarb Embacher, South Central CollegeBrad Finstad, Center for Rural Policy & DevelopmentBrian Tohal, City of New UlmBrian Benshoof, MRCI WorkSourceBrigid Tuck, University of Minnesota ExtensionBryan Stading, Regional Center for Entrepreneurial FacilitationChris Shearman, Taylor CorporationDanny Lenz, City of WasecaDebra Bultnick, South Central CollegeDerek Tonn, Map FormationDiane Halvorson, South Central Workforce CouncilGary Sandholm, City of WasecaGary Schott, S.C.O.R.E.Honey Burg, The Legal ProfessionalsJamie Scheffer, City of St. JamesJean Burkhardt, Southern MN Initiative Foundation BoardJim Beal, JBeal Real Estate GroupJohn Harrenstein, City of North MankatoJulie Nelson, Minnesota State UniversityKatie Boone, Community MemberKim Foels, Waseca Chamber of CommerceKristin Prososki, City of MankatoLisa Hughes, DEED Workforce CenterMichael Hanson, City of Madison LakePam Bishop, Southern MN Initiative FoundationRob Anderson, Brown County Economic Development Roxy Traxler, Sibley CountyRuss Michaletz, Gustavus Adolphus CollegeRuss Wille, City of St. PeterRyan Brixius, USDARyan Krosch, Nicollet CountySam Ziegler, GreenSeamSarah Richards, Jones Metal Inc.Tim Clawson, Faribault County Development Corp
Region Nine Development Commission StaffNicole Griensewic Mickelson, Executive DirectorBrent Pearson, Resource Development PlannerDanielle Walchuk, Regional Development PlannerSam Parker, Community Development PlannerScott Reiten, Regional Emergency Management PlannerLuAnn Vanderwerf, Finance DirectorLinda Wallace, Senior Financial AccountantBarb Dressen, Executive AssistantAshley Aukes, Communications Specialist
*Serve on the Region Nine Community and Economic Development Planning Committee** Region Nine Commissioner
About Region Nine ............................................... 1The Process ............................................................ 2Regional Overview ............................................... 3Human Capital .................................................... 18
Economic Competitiveness ............................... 21Community Resources ...................................... 24Foundational Assets ........................................... 30Appendix ............................................................. 37
1 2
About Region Nine Development CommissionRegion Nine Development Commission serves nine counties in south central Minnesota: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca and Watonwan. Region Nine takes great pride in working with and on behalf of these counties and their cities, townships and school districts. Since 1972, being a partner for progress has led to the development of programs in the areas of economic development, business development, healthy communities, transportation, community development and leveraging regional resources. Region Nine is governed by 38 regional leaders. These leaders include elected officials representing nine counties, 72 cities, 147 townships, school districts, the Minnesota Valley Council of Governments and special interest groups including, Health and Human Welfare, Minority Populations and Youth.
Region Nine receives an annual planning grant from the Federal EDA to conduct economic development planning activities within the district. Activities range from developing and maintaining the CEDS, leading regional-based economic development goals and strategies, facilitating the regional Community and Economic Development Planning Committee, hosting regional grant opportunities forums, workforce forums and assisting communities who are interested in seeking Federal EDA funding.
The Process
Introduction to the regional CEDS and planning process to Region Nine’s Community and Economic Development Planning Committee. The 35-member committee consists of a wide range of representation from across the nine counties.
Coordinated and facilitated a full-scale strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) discussion and analysis. The meeting was scheduled for three and half hours of focused conversation around human capital, economic competitiveness, community resources and foundational assets in the region. The full results of the SWOT session can be found in the Appendix II.
Developed and distributed a survey to supplement information gathered from the SWOT discussions and analysis. The survey was aggressively promoted through press releases, social media advertisements, website banners and Region Nine’s network of partners. The survey focused around human capital, economic competitiveness, community resources and foundational assets in the region. In total, the survey received a total of 108 responses from individuals across the region that either live and/or work in the nine county area.
Once the CEDS goals and strategies were developed from the SWOT analysis, an online prioritization survey was sent to Region Nine’s Community and Economic Development Planning Committee. The committee had the opportunity to further review and refine the CEDS goals and strategies as well as weigh the importance of each strategy.
The South Central Workforce Development Committee and the South Central Workforce Council reviewed and provided a resolution for the approval of Region Nine’s 2016-2021 CEDS on December 14, 2016. The resolution can be found in the Appendix I.
The Region Nine Board of Director’s reviewed and provided a resolution for the approval of the 2016-2017 CEDS on December 14, 2016. The resolution can be found in the Appendix I.
The draft document of CEDS document was made available online at rndc.org for a 30-day public comment and review period from November 4th - December 5th, 2016. A paper copy was available upon request. Press releases and social media announcements were used to inform the region the CEDS was ready for public review.
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Regional Overview
PopulationWhile there is one major metropolitan area located in the region, the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the region has a large rural base. Of the 231,683 people, around 55,416 reside in the Mankato-North Mankato area. There are five other cities in the region with estimated populations over 5,000: New Ulm (13,583), St. Peter (11,784), Fairmont (10,421), Waseca (9,351) and New Prague (7,508). In all, Region Nine represents 9.34% of the population outside of the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul region.1
According to the Minnesota State Demographic Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Region Nine in the past 15 years grew at a slower rate of 4% comparatively to Minnesota, who experienced a 11.5% population increase. The region’s growth is concentrated primarily in three of the nine counties: Blue Earth (+18.3% growth), Nicollet (+12.3% growth) and Le Sueur (+9% growth). The other six counties ranged between -2.8% and -13.8% population decrease, with the largest loss occurring in Faribault County.2
1 US Census Bureau, Minnesota State Demographic Center 2015 population estimates: http://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/our-estimates/pop-finder1.jsp2 Minnesota State Demographic Center, Population Notes – Young Adults in Minnesota: A Demographic and Economic Profile, by Brit C. Henderson and Andi Egbert, June 2015
231,683 people in Region Nine
Age There are two prominent trends in south central Minnesota’s age demographics. First, the population projections from the Minnesota State Demographic Center indicate over the next 30 years, ages 65+ and 85+ will greatly increase in population. Currently, Minnesota is on the cusp of witnessing new historical highs for both of these age groups. The increase in the older adult population can be attributed to the large Baby Boomer population and the increased life expectancies. These age groups will grow at an exponential rate and will eventually out number the other age groups.
In contrast, as a percentage, both Blue Earth and Nicollet counties top the statewide list as having the highest representation of 18-34 year olds in the state of Minnesota. Blue Earth County alone has 22.9% of the population being comprised of 18-24 year olds versus 9.5% statewide. In particular, the City of Mankato’s young adult population represents just under half of its total population (48%). The large draw for this age group is the area’s abundance of educational opportunities.2
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3 Minnesota State Demographic Center Population Estimates, 2015 http://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/age-race-ethnicity/4 U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
RaceBased on 2015 Population Estimates from the Minnesota State Demographic Center, south central Minnesota counties are predominantly white ranging from 91.75%-97.88% of the total population in these counties. The most racially diverse county in the region is Blue Earth county with the population consisting of 91.75% white, 3.57% black or African American, 2.43% Asian, and 1.81% of two or more races. Brown County is one of the least diverse counties in the region, with a 97.88% white population.
Unique to the south central region, Watonwan County has a growing Hispanic or Latino population, with 23.2% of the total population being Hispanic or Latino and 21.3% of households speaking a language other than English at home. This large Hispanic and Latino population is a growing influence in the local workforce and economy.3
EducationEducation is vital when aligning worker skills with the needs of employers, which is critical to increasing productivity and growing the region’s economy. Nicollet County has the highest percentage of people that have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher at 32.3%.4 Blue Earth County has the second highest with 30.4%, in comparison to the State of Minnesota which has 33.2%. Both the City of Mankato and the City of North Mankato have the highest percent of population that has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher with 34.3% and 35.7% respectively.
Collectively, all of Region Nine’s counties have a higher percentage of high school graduates than the state. Sibley County has the highest percentage of graduates at 41.2%. Additionally, six out of the nine counties in the region have a larger percentage of individuals who have an associate’s degree comparatively to the state’s 10.5%.
The region has several higher educational institutions that offer a wide variety of disciplines and programs including: Minnesota State University, Mankato; South Central College; Bethany Lutheran College; Rasmussen College; Gustavus Adolphus College; and Martin Luther College. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a four year, public university which, offers 130 programs of study. South Central College is a community technical college that offers 50 technical career and professional programs. South Central has established partnerships with regional businesses and industries and delivers customized education through its Center for Business and Industry. Bethany Lutheran College is a private liberal arts college that offers 21 majors, 22 minors and eight pre-professional programs. Rasmussen College is a private college offering approximately 29 programs ranging from the certificate and diploma level through the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s level. Gustavus Adolphus is a private liberal arts college that offers 72 majors and 12 interdisciplinary programs. Martin Luther College is a private college that offers over a dozen majors as well as graduate degrees in education.
GeographySouth central Minnesota has a continental climate that is characterized by periods of intense cold and heat with strong winds and varying precipitation. The average winter temperature is approximately 14 degrees Fahrenheit and the average summer temperature is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature extremes range from -60 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
The region’s geographic area is 5,064 square miles, or approximately 6.3% of the total surface area of the state of Minnesota. The topography is generally flat with areas of gently rolling hills. The region’s valleys were cut into an otherwise flat topography by glacial melt rivers. The largest and most pronounced valley in the region is called the Minnesota River Valley. This valley, which ranges from one to two miles wide, is characterized by out-wash areas, fertile soils and bedrock outcroppings.
Rich loams, silts and clays are the predominate soils throughout the region. These soils, along with the climate and the flat terrain create one of the best agricultural areas in the world. The region’s counties are leaders in the production of corn, soybeans, hogs and other agricultural related commodities.
The majority of mineral deposits throughout the region are sand and gravel; however, a buff-colored limestone found along the Minnesota River is used throughout the world as a building material. The limestone is known as “Kasota Stone,” which is desired for its architectural beauty and durability. Kasota Stone has been used both nationally and internationally for large construction projects including a baseball stadium, a national museum and an embassy.
The region has a considerable amount of lakes, rivers and streams. The Minnesota River serves as the predominant drainage system for the area. Its tributaries include the Blue Earth, Watonwan, Le Sueur, Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, Cobb and Maple Rivers. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources there are 362 lakes of ten acres or more within the region.
Much of the region is underlain with glacial, sand, gravel and sedimentary bedrock, which are permeable and porous rock types which can create aquifers. The aquifer creates a natural purification of groundwater, which is an asset that the natural geology of the region provides.
Region Nine’s counties have a higher percentage of high school graduates than the state.
7 8
Transportation Transportation networks are critical to supporting the region’s economic vitality and quality of life. The movement of goods and services is essential for thousands of manufacturing, retail, wholesale and agricultural businesses in Minnesota. Strong transportation connections link area workers with jobs, raw materials with manufacturers and products with markets. Local communities must evaluate transportation needs and the implications related to land use, community and economic development decisions.
In south central Minnesota, U.S. Highway 169 is a major transportation corridor for funneling freight from the southwestern and south central region to the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro. These regions produce large quantities of corn, soybeans and ethanol, which contributes to Minnesota being the third in the nation for production of these commodities. Other commodities that utilize this transportation network are aggregates, clay and sand, hogs, manufactured goods and food products.
Regional trade centers serve as economic and service centers for surrounding areas. The City of Mankato can be classified as the top trade center for the region with shopping centers, education institutions and a world-class health system, Mayo Health System. New Ulm, Fairmont and Waseca are also classified by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) as regional trade centers in south central Minnesota.
Region Nine is a part of MnDOT District 7, which includes 13 counties in both south central and southwestern Minnesota. This includes all of Region Nine’s counties as well as Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles and Rock counties.
MnDOT District 7 directly supports 1,330 miles of state and federal highways, 146 miles of interstate, 484 bridges, 4,188 miles of county and state aid highways, 492 miles of rail line, 14 airports and nine county/three city transit systems. District 7’s fiscal year budget in 2016 is 27.4 million or 7.1% of the total statewide budget. From 2016-2019, the average cost of a construction project is 90.1 million with an average of 12 projects being employed between 2016-2019.
Economy Most of Region Nine does not meet the traditional economic distress criteria. This poses a unique challenge to the region when aligning traditional economic development funding for projects contingent on traditional economic distress criteria. Ultimately, the challenges posed by an economy doing well are impending workforce shortages, where to hire new workers from, and how to access funding streams for projects in which workforce benchmarks are critical. New benchmarks for analysis, such as increase and decrease of civilian labor force are new opportunities to assess the economic climate of the region.
Region Nine, as a whole, had an unemployment rate in the past 24 months that was below the national average. Its 2014 Per-Capita Money Income was at 94.3% of the national average, and its 2014 Per-Capita Personal Income5 was at $42,244 – 91.74% of the national average. None of these indicators are low enough to meet conventional economic distress criteria.
Region Nine would need to see an increase in unemployment by greater than 1.5% (which, as of 2015, would be close to 2,000 additional unemployed workers) and a nearly 12% drop in Per-Capita Personal Income in order to be considered distressed. Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties are the closest, but do not presently meet the criteria.
5 Calculations generated by StatsAmerica’s Measuring Distress6 U.S. Bureaus of Census, Labor Statistics, and Economic Analysis; Calculations generated by StatsAmerica
Region Nine Economic Distress6
County
24 Month Unemp
Above/Below Nation
Per Capita Personal Income
Above/Below Nation
Per-Capita Money Income
Above/Below Nation
Blue Earth 3.05 -2.18 $40,756 88.5 $26,181 91.7Brown 4.15 -1.08 $45,804 99.5 $27,801 97.4Faribault 4.36 -0.87 $45,769 99.4 $25,834 90.5Le Sueur 4.69 -0.54 $43,524 94.5 $28,179 98.7Martin 4.23 -1 $45,193 98.1 $27,629 96.8Nicollet 2.72 -2.51 $42,550 92.4 $27,561 96.5Sibley 4.15 -1.08 $39,814 86.5 $26,709 93.5Waseca 4.28 -0.95 $39,118 84.9 $25,991 91.0Watonwan 4.84 -0.39 $37,521 81.5 $26,298 92.1
1,330 miles of highways146 miles of interstate
484 bridges4,188 miles of county/state aid highways
492 miles of rail line
9 10
Impact and Recovery from the Recession7
Industry 2007 2008 2009 2010 2015Recession Impact
Natural Resources and Mining 2,749 2,789 2,774 2,780 3,399Construction 4,897 4,530 4,103 4,007 4,766Manufacturing 22,007 21,504 18,878 18,303 19,103Trade, Transportation and Utilities 19,849 20,115 19,518 19,519 20,564Information - 2,465 2,221 2,121 2,224Financial Activities 3,799 3,674 3,642 3,765 3,703Professional and Business Services 6,471 6,179 5,632 5,814 5,986Education and Health Services 25,521 26,462 26,746 26,724 26,919Leisure and Hospitality 8,885 8,632 8,391 8,317 8,743Other Services 3,218 3,141 2,998 2,940 3,018Total, All Industries 104,900 104,737 100,354 99,744 103,934
The Great Recession of 2008 – 2009 was one of the deepest in recent memory. Region Nine, however, entered the recession earlier than the state, with job losses from 2006 to 2008, before dropping most dramatically in 2010. Since then, the region has recovered at a rate much slower than the rest of the state.
Every major industry has recovered since 2010, but the true measure of the recovery is how many industries are recovered to pre-recessionary levels (pre-2008). As a whole, Region Nine has lost 0.9% of its covered jobs since 2007 and has gained employment in that time in only three major employment sectors: natural resources and mining (up by 23.6% and represents 650 jobs gained); trade, transportation, and utilities (the second leading employing sector) is up 3.6% with 715 jobs gained; and education and health services (the leading employing sector) is up 5.5%, with 1,398 jobs gained. Manufacturing is the third leading employing sector in the region and has been one of the slowest to recover. It has lost 2,904 jobs since 2007 despite gaining 800 jobs since 2010.
WorkforceThe major employment industries in Region Nine are education and health services; trade, transportation, and utilities; and manufacturing.7 Combined, these three industries accounted for nearly two-thirds of all jobs in the region in 2015.
Industry Employment Breakdown7
7 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Compiled by Region Nine Development Commission
Major Employment IndustriesEducation & Health Services
Trade, Transportation & UtilitiesManufacturing
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In order to actively recruit businesses and public sector employers, it is important to highlight a labor force that is willing, able and ready to work. The labor force in south central Minnesota is the total number of people aged 16 years and older that are either employed or unemployed. In order to be considered unemployed a person must be available and actively seeking work.
Much like the unemployment rate, labor force participation ebbs and flows. On a national and state level, it has decreased steadily since the turn of the millennium, and has dropped rather dramatically since the Great Recession of 2007 – 2009. Due to low unemployment and the recovery in full swing, these drops cannot simply be attributed to the recession. Many economists theorize that it is a result of the aging workforce, early retirements, and delayed entry into the workforce by younger workers as they seek additional education to expand their skillset to become more competitive for fewer jobs. This may be particularly impactful to rural communities in Region Nine that skew slightly older.
The American Community Survey data slightly reflects this, with workers aged 20 to 24 years and 55 to 64 years representing the lowest percentages of working age adults. Additionally, counties that skew much younger (Blue Earth 79.4%, Nicollet 71.3%, and Waseca 76.3%) also have the three lowest labor force participation rates among workers aged 20 to 24 years.
Conversely, Brown and Martin County are ranked 55th and 69th among all 87 counties in Minnesota; they also have two of the three lowest labor force participation rates among 20 to 24-year-old workers. Watonwan County is unique because it skews young yet has the highest labor force participation. Additionally, Watonwan County has labor force participation rates that are much higher than the region as a whole in the following demographics: Black or African American (88.2%), Asian (83%), Two or
Labor Force and Labor Force Participation8
In Labor Force
Labor Force Partic. Rate
Total Labor Force 129,516 69.8%AGE
16 to 19 years 7,930 56.6% 20 to 24 years 16,117 79.7% 25 to 44 years 48,890 89.9% 45 to 54 years 27,481 88.7% 55 to 64 years 22,971 77.7% 65 to 74 years 5,032 27.9% 75 years and over 1,086 5.9%
RACE AND HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGINWhite Alone 124,266 69.9%Black or African American 1,600 60.8%American Indian and Alaska Native
326 59.4%
Asian 1,364 71.0%Some other race 895 76.4%Two or more races 993 60.5%Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race)
5,200 71.8%
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTPopulation 25 to 64 years 99,332 86.4%Less than high school graduate
4,767 70.3%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)
30,079 83.6%
Some college or associate's degree
37,701 88.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher 26,786 91.1%
Age of Population8
CountyMedian
AgeStatewide
RankBlue Earth 30.3 1Nicollet 35.0 10Waseca 38.8 25Watonwan 39.7 30Le Sueur 40.8 36Sibley 40.9 37Brown 43.2 55Martin 45.6 69Faribault 46.5 72
More Races (67.5%), Hispanic or Latino (83.1%), and those with less than a high-school degree (81.3%). This is important to note because it is driven, by a large degree, by an unemployment rate that has significantly exceeded the region as a whole in every successive year since 2003. By this measure, Watonwan County was hit particularly hard during the height of the recession with an 8.8% unemployment rate (Region Nine’s was 7.5%) in 2009.
As mentioned previously, the unemployment rate for Region Nine has mirrored the state’s – with a few exceptions in Watonwan and Le Sueur Counties. In 2009, Le Sueur County peaked at 10.9%, while the region as a whole peaked that year at 7.5%. Other counties in the region peaked in 2009 as well: Faribault (9.2%), Watonwan (8.8%), Waseca (8.2%), Sibley (7.9%), Martin (7.5%), Brown (7.3%), Blue Earth (6.4%), and Nicollet (6.3%).
According to DEED’s Labor Market Information (LMI) Office, Nicollet and Blue Earth County (which encompass the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area) are historically among the lowest unemployment rates in the state. Consequently, the region as a whole, has been inching towards “full employment”, the point at which many economists agree that virtually all people who are able and willing to work are employed. According to DEED’s LMI Director, Dr. Steve Hine, the next challenge for the region is an impending workforce shortage.
“The next challenge for the region is an impending workforce shortage.”
-Dr. Steve Hine, DEED Labor Market Information Director
2,812,9472,845,2022,859,6012,874,6632,880,4272,879,7592,887,8312,906,3892,925,0882,941,9762,938,7952,946,2782,958,2722,971,5232,982,7503,010,366
128,307
133,444
130,100
132,417
2,700,000
2,750,000
2,800,000
2,850,000
2,900,000
2,950,000
3,000,000
3,050,000
124,000
125,000
126,000
127,000
128,000
129,000
130,000
131,000
132,000
133,000
134,000
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Minnesota Labor Force
Loca
l Lab
or F
orce
Source: DEED Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program
Minnesota Region 9
9 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program8 S2301, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates
Region Nine Labor Force9
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In theory, when there is full employment there is less room for upward growth. If everyone that is willing and able to work has a job, hiring becomes a challenge. Accordingly, the most recent recession masked the trend of older workers dropping out of the labor force. This, combined with a labor force that is growing, but at much slower rate statewide, and had actually declined from 2011 to 2014, before gaining in 2015 in Region Nine, is projected to lead to a shortage of workers. Meanwhile, the Mankato-North Mankato area is among the youngest in the state, has a diverse mix of jobs, and an unemployment rate that fell below 3% in 2014 and has consistently remained there into 2016. With diversity on the rise, opportunities exist for inclusionary strategies to engage diverse cultures and females to respond to the potential workforce shortage.
Occupational Employment Statistics
1st Quarter 201611
Region Nine State of MN Median
Hourly WageEstimated
EmploymentLocation Quotient
Median Hourly Wage
Total, All Occupations $16.39 107,390 1.0 $18.88Management $37.29 5,560 0.9 $48.47Legal $32.43 310 0.4 $38.40Architecture & Engineering $30.88 1,830 0.9 $35.14Business & Financial Operations $27.33 3,630 0.6 $31.06Computer & Mathematical $26.89 1,750 0.5 $38.93Healthcare Practitioners & Technical $25.65 6,020 0.9 $31.65Life, Physical & Social Science $23.47 710 0.8 $29.94Construction & Extraction $21.80 3,320 0.9 $25.36Education, Training & Library $21.42 10,720 1.7 $22.59Community & Social Service $21.31 2,040 1.0 $20.99Installation, Maintenance & Repair $20.16 3,740 1.0 $21.96Protective Service $18.16 2,220 1.4 $19.85Production $16.80 11,520 1.4 $16.80Arts, Design, Entertainment & Media $16.67 1,480 1.1 $22.49Transportation & Material Moving $16.35 6,750 1.0 $16.35Office & Administrative Support $15.76 15,740 1.0 $17.65Farming, Fishing & Forestry $13.19 270 1.9 $14.86Healthcare Support $11.94 3,980 1.2 $13.96Personal Care & Service $11.80 4,690 1.0 $11.29Building, Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance $11.65 3,320 1.0 $12.25Sales & Related $11.05 10,590 1.0 $13.03Food Preparation & Serving Related $9.32 6,420 0.7 $9.39
$20.79
$17.77 $17.00 $16.92 $16.78 $16.61 $16.48 $16.39 $16.19 $16.03 $15.52 $15.48 $15.07
$18.88
EDR 11 EDR 10 EDR 7E EDR 7W EDR 6E EDR 3 EDR 1 EDR 9 EDR 2 EDR 4 EDR 6W EDR 8 EDR 5 State ofMinnesota
Median Hourly Wages by Economic Development Region10
-38.
80%
42.1
0%
17.6
0%
-16.
50%
19.4
0%
0.80
%
-44.
60%
21.9
0%
36.3
0%
28.0
0%
-43.
20%
-55.
40%
4.60
%
-61.
70%
-111
.60%
-130
8.40
%
129.
90%
80.0
0%
-9.7
0%
-118
.80%
-335
.20%
60.3
0%
10.5
0%
-15.
30%
146.
00%
146.
00%
11.1
0%
59.5
0%
56.2
0%
-42.
40%
-13.
40%
-92.
70%
840.
20%
-82.
50%
3304
.20%
-68.
40%
-22.
50%
-186
.70%
55.2
0%
-55.
60%
-180
.50%
-148
.70%
-959
.90%
-47.
90%
45.0
0%
-106
.00%
711.
00%
43.6
0%
-14.
70%
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1991
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As of the first quarter of 2016, Region Nine had the eighth highest median hourly wage across all occupations, and had the fifth highest estimated employment. This was approximately $2.49 below the state median, which is heavily driven by the 1.7-million estimated jobs in the seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Among the highest paying occupations in Region Nine were management (median hourly wage of $48.47 across 5,560 jobs), legal ($38.40 across 310 jobs), architecture and engineering ($35.14 across 1,830 jobs) and business and financial operations ($31.06 across 3,630 jobs). Some of the highest employing occupational sectors included office and administrative support (15,740 estimated jobs); production (11,520); education, training and library (10,720); and sales and related occupations (10,590).
Among the highest concentrated; farming, fishing and forestry occupations are significantly meeting local needs with a location quotient of 1.9 despite the lowest number of estimated jobs (270). Some of the most prevalent occupations in the region have significant industry concentration that is meeting local demand to the point of being distinguishing industries, these include education, training and library occupations and production occupations. Consequently, office and administrative support occupations and sales occupations have a location quotient of 1.0, which means that the region and the nation are equally specialized. Essentially, the occupations with the greatest number of employment are highly concentrated, or meeting local demand. Food preparation workers, healthcare practitioners, and management occupations have room to grow despite having high employment across the nine counties.
Average Annual Change in Labor Force from 1977 -2001 was 17,252 people statewide and 1,423 people in Region 9* (from 1990 - 2001). Average annual change since has been 13,161 statewide and 274 in Region Nine. * = Sub-state data began aggregation in 1990.
10 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Local Area Unemployment Statistics11 DEED Occupational Employment Statistics, 1st Q, 2016
Annual Change in Labor Force 1991-201510
Statewide 1977-1990 Average Increase: 15.5%
15 16
Southwest Minnesota is projected to grow by 2.7% by 2022, resulting in 5,685 new jobs and 48,000 replacement hires needed to fill jobs vacated by the current workforce. Projections for the Mankato-North Mankato MSA are included in southwest Minnesota. In southeast Minnesota, there will be a projected 16,909 new jobs created and 60,750 replacement jobs at a 6.4% growth rate. In all of southern Minnesota there are a projected 22,594 new jobs, 108,750 replacement jobs and a 4.8% growth rate. Among the highest growing occupations will be: personal care and service occupations (3,065 new jobs and 17.3% increase by 2022; healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (5,708 new jobs and 17.7% growth); healthcare support occupations (2,624 new jobs and 13.3% growth); and construction and extraction occupations (2,053 new jobs and 12.3% growth).
7,760
2,990 1,320 1,360 1,130 2,300310 1,700
6,5703,770 2,190
13,190
3,390 3,960
12,930 13,030
1,770 2,680 4,200
9,7706,850
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Figure 10: Southern Minnesota Employment Projections 2012-2022
2012 2022 Replacement Hires
Southern Minnesota Projections by Occupation Grouping13
Southwest Minnesota Industry Projections, 2012 - 202212
Industry
Estimated Employment
2012
Projected Employment
2022
Percent Change
2012 - 2022Total, All Industries 207,849 213,534 2.7%Manufacturing 31,654 31,719 0.2%Total Government 31,721 30,668 -3.3%Health Care & Social Assistance 25,529 29,605 16.0%Retail Trade 20,071 20,404 1.7%Accommodations & Food Services 11,915 12,153 2.0%Wholesale Trade 8,262 8,526 3.2%Other Services 8,312 8,265 -0.6%Construction 7,299 7,809 7.0%Finance & Insurance 5,874 5,903 0.5%Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 5,389 5,519 2.4%Transportation & Warehousing 5,123 5,317 3.8%Professional & Technical Services 4,069 4,486 10.2%Admin. Support & Waste Management 3,893 4,252 9.2%Information 2,914 2,608 -10.5%Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 2,507 2,551 1.8%Management of Companies 1,977 2,072 4.8%Educational Services 1,971 2,037 3.3%Real Estate & Rental & Leasing 1,270 1,396 9.9%Utilities 772 704 -8.8%Mining 383 458 19.6%
The Department of Employment and Economic Development produces projections by occupation and industry. Region Nine is included in the southwest planning region, which includes southwest Minnesota (Southwest Regional Development Commission) and counties to the north (Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission). According to these projections, southwest Minnesota’s industry growth is projected to see the greatest gains by 2022 in the health care and social assistance industry, which aligns directly with many of the highest growing occupation projections (projected to add 4,076 new jobs at a 16% increase). Government employment, on the other hand, is expected to contract by 3.3% (realizing losses of 1,053 jobs). Professional and technical services are expected to grow by 10.2% (adding 417 jobs), while the information sector is expected to continue to lose employment, despite significant need.
Much of this growth will be the southeast response to Destination Medical Center, which will flow into the south central region. Wages will vary, with healthcare growth primarily in the practitioner occupations with median wages in excess of $80.00 per hour and healthcare support occupations earning significantly less. In Region Nine specifically, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations have room to add more jobs to meet the demands of the region.
Highest Growing Occupations: Personal Care & Service Occupations
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Healthcare Support Occupations
Construction and Extraction Occupations
12Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2012-2022 Employment Outlook13 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2016
17 18
Approximately 76.6% of workers within the labor shed of Region Nine either live and work in the region or live outside the region and work within the region.
The top work destination in the region is Mankato-North Mankato, which accounted for 17.9% of employment. 4.8% of workers in the region lived in New Ulm, while 3.8% lived in Fairmont, and 3.6% lived in Waseca. The top commuters into the region from outside the region were from Minneapolis (0.8%), Owatonna (0.6%), and St. Paul (0.5%).
Of the 31,737 residents of Region Nine that work outside the nine counties, many of those commuters are employed in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Owatonna, or Rochester. Although the numbers are not significant, 1.3% of all workers in the region (representing over 1,300 workers) commuted into Bloomington, 1.2% (approximately 1,200 workers) into Owatonna, 1.1% into Minneapolis, 1% into St. Paul, 0.7% into Faribault, 0.7% into Shakopee and 0.6% into Rochester.
25,660 31,73778,597
Labor and Commute Shed14
14 U.S. Census Bureau Local Employment Household Dynamics, OnTheMap, 2014
The Cornerstones
The following section is divided into four cornerstones:
1. Human Capital2. Economic Competitiveness3. Community Resources 4. Foundational Assets
Each cornerstone has associated goals, strategies and action steps. The strategies (u) and action steps (n) have been prioritized and categorized by a corresponding colored bullet (green-high, orange-medium, tan-low). An action table located in Appendix III identifies key partners, timelines and evaluation metrics for each strategy and action step outlined in the CEDS.
19 20
Human Capital
Developing, retaining and attracting talent is critical for Greater Minnesota to sustain and grow rural businesses and communities. Monitoring the characteristics of the labor force and the needs of employers and creating strategies for alignment between the two is the foundation of human capital. Coordinating the region’s employers and the available labor force will improve the overall resiliency and adaptability of communities and the region to social, cultural and technological changes in the future.
Goal
Strategies
Maintain the existing unemployment rate, move towards full employment in each county and focus on worker recruitment strategies to mitigate impending labor market shortages.
u Promote a quality, flexible and trained workforce to area businesses.
n Increase opportunities for encore careers and returning graduates to return to the regional workforce.
n Partner with universities, technical colleges, workforce councils, local economic developers, business development centers, workforce centers and employers to promote incumbent worker upskilling to increase mentorships and potentially elevate wages and knowledge across the region.
n Connect and support communities with high concentration of minority populations to inclusion opportunities (e.g. Gaylord, Madelia, Mankato/North Mankato MSA., and St. James). These communities will have the opportunity to access these specific talent pools and market the community as a place of high inclusion.
u Enhance and capitalize on the quality of life amenities to retain the talent in the region.
n Connect, promote and incentivize businesses to create great places to work.
n Retain the 76.6% of workers that presently live and work in Region Nine and commute to Region Nine for work; capture the nearly 30,000 jobs that the region is exporting to other areas of the state.15
n Increase the median wage across all occupations in south central Minnesota from $16.39 per hour closer to the state median wage of $18.88 per hour by focusing on high wage and high employment occupations.16
n Partner with area employers and workforce partners to create, evaluate and publish a list of top workplaces in the region.
15 American Community Survey 2014 Data, OnTheMap16 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2016
Labor ForceAs Region Nine’s economy continues to recover from the economic recession, the challenge will be meeting the hiring and skills needs of area employers. The labor force of Region Nine declined four years in a row (2011-2014), then increased to above pre-recession levels in 2015. Additionally, this decline (2011-2014) was supplemented by a decrease in unemployment as the economy improves to pre-recessionary levels.
21 22
Goal
Strategies
Increase the number of residents (ages 18-64) who have completed post-secondary education or training with a particular focus on certificates, technical degrees and apprenticeships relevant to employment in middle-skill, living wage occupations.
u Increase the awareness among students, parents and educators about the educational requirements for future employment opportunities specific to the region.
n Greater collaboration and coordination of programs amongst higher education institutions and major regional employers.
n Offer and promote incentives, upskilling, job training and fast track education opportunities.
n Pursue additional funding to secure additional school and career counselors.
u Offer and increase the availability of cultural competency education throughout the region.
Educational AttainmentAs the population of south central Minnesota’s workforce declines, increased worker skills will be critical to improving productivity and growth of the economy. According to the 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Nicollet County has the highest percentage of people that have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher at 32.3%17. Blue Earth County has the second highest with 30.4%, which, in comparison, the state of Minnesota has 33.2% of population that has obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Economic Competitiveness
Creating an attractive environment for growth is critical to creating jobs, improving living standards and financing necessary public services. Economic Competitiveness requires communities to develop and link all available assets to support innovation and encourage business growth. With the identification and alignment of our regional and local assets, south central Minnesota will be able to support small, medium and large scale enterprises, which could in turn stimulate business growth, innovation and an increase in the overall productivity of the region.
17 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2014
23 24
Goal
Strategies
Increase entrepreneurship and innovation throughout south central Minnesota’s communities.
u Increase and diversify access to capital to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
n Encourage partnership between local public and private sectors for incentives and programs for area businesses, such as tax increment financing, tax abatement, or DEED’s Business Development Public Infrastructure program to attract entrepreneurs to the region and align the recruited entrepreneurs with the local employment needs.
n Incentivize local employers with the research and development tax credit to encourage and increase research and development in the region.
u Progress research and development projects into marketable technology production that will ultimately increase STEM industries that will spur economic development throughout the region.
n Directly connect higher education institutions, including Minnesota State University, Mankato, South Central College, Bethany Lutheran College, Rasmussen College, Gustavus Adolphus College and Martin Luther College, directly to major employers for potential research and development collaborations.
n Create networks of incubator, co-working, proof of concept, maker spaces, innovation centers and tech centers in the region and connect to regional partners for education, training and STEM programming to spur innovation throughout the region.
u Explore incentives and expand renewable energy development.
19 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, Business Employment Dynamics, 201520 University of Minnesota Extension/Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
18 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Entrepreneurship and InnovationSouth central Minnesota communities must embrace and encourage innovation, calculated risk-taking and foster entrepreneurship to compete effectively in the global economy. Currently, the State of Minnesota ranks 13th in the nation for research and development funding. Both public and private sectors provide $1 billion annually into research and development of science and technology projects.18
Goal
Strategies
Increase the number of capital investment programs available to small and medium enterprises (SME), small is considered 20 or fewer employees, medium is considered 21-50 employees, to allow growth and job creation for the majority of Region Nine businesses.
u Partner with the Small Business Development Center, South Central MN S.C.O.R.E., Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation to help them expand and funnel their resources into the most rural areas in south central Minnesota.
n Partner and support legislation, utilizing statewide support, to expand the Small Business Development Center, South Central MN S.C.O.R.E., Regional Center for Entrepreneurial Facilitation and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s capacity to build out their network and increase resources for rural SMEs.
u Develop and promote a regional marketing strategy with a clear and concise message to attract potential new residents by leveraging regional resources, such as the University of Minnesota Extension, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Region Nine and other regional partners.
u Continue to grow and support businesses with global connections through e-commerce.
Small Business GrowthSmall businesses located in rural areas have limited access to capital compared to larger businesses. In order to grow and expand, small rural businesses must have access to more public and private funding opportunities. Approximately 71.8% of businesses in Region Nine have less than ten employees (compared to 71.6% statewide).19 Research shows that as much as 80% of job growth in a community comes from existing businesses.20
25 26
Community Resources
Communities seek to maintain rural values, their heritage and the assets that support them. Community resources include topics that balance the preservation and improvements of local social, cultural and natural assets that are critical for the future. Building, improving and promoting regional and community strengths will lead to a competitive advantage and provide a foundation of community resiliency. By working together regionally, resources and opportunities can be maximized and regional economic success can be achieved.
Goal
Strategies
Increase visitor spending in south central Minnesota.
u Capitalize on current tourism destinations and future development of new destinations.
n Promote agricultural-based tourism and pursue potential for tourism development surrounding the agriculture sector and local foods.
n Promote nature-based tourism and pursue potential for development of new hospitality and nature access ventures.
n Capitalize on commuters traveling to Rochester’s Destination Medical Center and the Twin Cities by expanding access to businesses and promoting tourist destinations along major transportation routes, e.g. U.S. Highway 169 and Interstate 90.
u Create and promote “unique niches” through placemaking, comprehensive planning or capital improvement planning to map out a community brand and vision in scalable increments for the next three, five and ten years.
n Promote and highlight local businesses and their locally produced products.
n Work with local chambers of commerce and businesses to create downtown festivals and fairs in communities where downtowns benefit from an influx of pedestrians and customers.
n Organize both amateur and professional athletics to draw people to park systems or town centers.
n Increase the capacity of commuter bus lines, land-to-air buses, taxi services and ridesharing to expand south central’s tourism from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The connections could link to state parks, historical destinations and downtowns, e.g. Mankato, Henderson, New Ulm as well as lakes and regional parks and trails.
TourismTourism can be an essential industry for local economic development. Travel and tourism generates sales in every county in the Region Nine service area. Traveler spending indirectly supports jobs in supporting industries such as financial services or printing. Travel and tourism in Region Nine generated approximately $353 million in gross sales in 2014.21
21ExploreMN, Minnesota Department of Revenue, 2014
27 28
Goal
Strategies
Increase employment in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector to generate customers in downtown districts and increase community engagement.
u Increase coordinated regional promotion of all cultural and arts related events for greater reach and community support of these sectors.
n Partner with area universities, technical colleges and school districts to promote art programs, art walks and art-related events and courses in rural communities.
n Create a traveling art showcase that promotes art education and area artists, including theater arts, photography and digital art.
u Implement arts and culture-based placemaking to improve downtowns and public spaces.
n Reuse vacant storefronts, warehouses, etc. to host new and emerging artists, galleries and experimental spaces.
n Apply and receive designation as an Artspace Community.
n Establish a grant or a revolving loan fund opportunity for arts-centered commerce.
Arts and CultureArts and local culture contribute to the vibrancy of local economies and the quality of life experienced by local residents. The arts and entertainment sector experienced a drop in employment following the most recent recession. In each of the past three years, however, this sector has increased in employment partly due to an increase in consumer confidence. Employment in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector represent 1% of the total employment in Region Nine in 2015.23
23Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2015
Goal
Strategies
Increase civic engagement and community participation across all age groups and ethnicities.
u Build upon the strong foundation of community participation and support found in local communities.
n Utilize innovative civic engagement techniques to draw perspectives from youth and people from long distances to increase engagement and input.
n Increase voter turnout in all nine counties to 67.5% so that each county ranks in the top ten voter turnout of all counties across the state.22
u Increase mentorship opportunities for younger generations to assume future community leadership positions.
n Support local community leadership programs and networking groups.
Social CapitalLocal residents must encourage and foster new local leadership skills as well as promote and attend civic engagement opportunities in order to become resilient against future challenges. Results from Region Nine’s CEDS survey indicates approximately 70% of survey participants that either live and/or work in the Region Nine area currently believe that the development of community leaders in the region is average, below average or needs improvement.
22MN Secretary of State, US Census Bureau, 2010
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Goal
Strategies
Improve water quality by ensuring south central Minnesota’s groundwater and surface water supplies are protected from depletion and degradation by reducing the number of impaired waters and endangered ecosystems in the region.
u Promote adherence to the Federal Clean Water Act standards that presume a water body should sustain healthy aquatic life, recreation and additional uses, such as drinking water, industry and agricultural uses.
u Promote intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships related to water quality plans, projects and initiatives.
n Support and promote regional water quality plans, projects and initiatives.
u Enhance soil and water management by increasing conservation practices, retaining top soil and agriculture productivity during extreme rain, drought and freezing events.
Water QualityThere is an increased demand for water resources related to growing populations, agricultural and manufacturing utilization and an increase in urbanization and recreational activities. During 2016, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) had 155 additions to their impaired waters list that are in Region Nine of about 4,600 listings statewide. MPCA delisted a total of six impaired waters in 2016.25
Goal
Strategies
Protect and preserve natural resources for continued responsible use. Achieve no net loss of wetlands/prairie lands and add programs and policies that reduce the carbon footprint through renewable energy or energy efficiency initiatives.
u Protect valuable natural resources and outdoor heritage through education, preservation and conservation efforts.
u Actively engage the public in natural resource planning to achieve greater community awareness and support of reducing overall carbon footprints.
n Develop, implement and consistently enforce land use policies that balance economic competitiveness and resilience with human well-being and natural amenities preservation.
n Promote compact and infill development of cities and urban areas that include mixed commercial and mixed residential zoning to reduce the number of vehicles traveled and reduce costs associated with heating and cooling, saving communities and businesses on land-use expenses.
n Retrofit and convert energy inefficient building’s waste into Combined Heat and Power buildings to deliver hot water, heat and electric generation uses.
Natural ResourcesThe region offers an abundance of natural resources that are essential to the local, regional and statewide economies. As the population of the state continues to increase, strain on natural resources is on the rise. Multiple threats include groundwater overuse and contamination, invasive species and an overall decline of natural resources. One of the region’s largest natural resource is the productive soil. Region Nine’s natural resources and mining sector provides 3,399 jobs, 73.8% of those are animal production. Of the 3,399, 42% are hog and pig farms (primarily in Martin County), 12.9% are cattle ranching and 12.1% are dairy cattle and milk production.24
24Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 2015 25 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Impaired Waters List, 2016
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Foundational Assets
Communities require proactive and collaborative strategies to address infrastructure needs in a cost-effective manner. Managing access, maintenance, replacement and growth of community infrastructure is key to preserving and providing growth opportunities locally. Foundational assets include both above-ground and below-ground infrastructure such as transportation, utilities and water. The maintenance and expansion of the region’s foundational assets will increase south central Minnesota’s competitiveness for future internal and external business investments. Ultimately, efficient infrastructure will support economic strength and vitality as well as increasing communities’ standard of living.
Goal
Strategies
100% of businesses, households and community anchor institutions in Region Nine will have access to high-speed internet at statewide broadband goals, with infrastructure in place to upscale.
u Create and leverage public and private partnerships, establish co-operatives and work with all wireline providers in the region to improve access to high-speed internet.
n Leverage federal program dollars, CAF II, and ARRA to meet national speed goals of 10/1 as Phase I to implement high-speed internet access across the nine counties, and provide scalable infrastructure that can provide speeds in excess of 1:1 gig symmetrical speeds.
u Promote the benefits of high-speed internet in rural Minnesota, show return on investment and gather public input and/or conduct a community broadband feasibility study.
n Work with all communities within the region to ensure plans are in place to meet the MN Governor’s Broadband Task Force 2016 recommended speed goals (25Mbps download/3 Mbps upload statewide by 2022; 100/20 by 2026).
n Work with the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan and the Blandin Foundation to ensure that each of the nine counties in Region Nine become members in the Blandin Broadband Cohort.*
n Work with Office of Broadband Development and providers to help update the Connect Minnesota service maps in the nine counties in Region Nine to include all providers’ data and ensure that the maps are as accurate as possible.
u Work with local legislators and the State Office of Broadband Development to provide support for more funding to be apportioned to the state to implement broadband infrastructure and planning in rural Minnesota.
n Partner with representatives of the Governor’s Broadband Task Force to help reinforce the recommendations made to the state and ensure that the challenges of businesses, residents, and community anchor institutions across Region Nine are well represented.
Broadband AccessAccess to affordable high-speed internet is imperative to remain competitive in today’s global economy. In order to attract employers and to increase the area’s employment, there needs to be a foundation of broadband infrastructure. Broadband infrastructure can be a catalyst in local economies and ultimately lead to regional economic growth. In Region Nine 84% of all households are served at the state broadband goal of greater than 25Mbps download/3Mbps upload speeds in 2016. 64% of households are served at 120Mbps download/20Mbps upload speeds.26
*Martin County became a member in the Blandin Broadband Cohort in 2014.26Minnesota Office of Broadband Development, 2015
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Goal
Strategies
Increase local transportation economic development projects in the region.
u Encourage state and local units of government to support and pursue options that increase the availability of transportation funding.
n Participate in regional highway corridor coalitions.
u Maintain and/or promote major transportation routes that connect regional economic hubs to stimulate economic development.
n Identify important freight routes which serve a supplementary role to the Minnesota trunk highway system to promote the safe and efficient movement of goods.
n Partner with MnDOT to help identify potential freight enhancement projects that have good potential for a positive return on investment.
TransportationReliable transportation networks are essential to economic growth, production and trade. Without access to a well-maintained freight/transportation network, raw materials, goods and products cannot be transported, which would result in low to no productivity in the region.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 2016 Statewide Freight System Plan, 40% of the gross state product is dependent on freight-related industries, a higher percentage than many of Minnesota’s neighboring states.26 Trucking is important to all industries, as even goods moving via other modes often use trucks for the first and last mile of the trip. As of 2014, Region Nine has 138 freight trucking businesses, which is approximately 8% of Minnesota’s general freight trucking businesses.27
26 Minnesota Department of Transportation, Statewide Freight System Plan, 201627 U.S. Census Bureau’s 2014 Business Patterns
Goal
Strategies
Increase the number of communities that have achieved BFC-designated status by League of American Bicyclists.
u Develop plans with local partners and help connect them with funding sources that will develop, expand and maintain active transportation networks.
n Promote the availability and benefits of trail systems to increase awareness and support for increased active living in Region Nine communities.
n Continue partnering with the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership to promote active living in communities.
Active TransportationActive living planning and implementation of active living strategies will help improve community health, livability and social capital in the region. By partnering with the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC), they will assist communities to improve conditions for better bikeable communities. Currently, there is only one community in south central Minnesota that is designated as a bicycle friendly community, Greater Mankato. Encouraging the adoption of local complete streets policies will increase the awareness and improve the local transportation network’s functionality for all users.
35 36
Goal
Strategies
Increase the level of service of the region’s transit system.
u Evaluate funding and service options to meet mobility and access needs of individuals.
n Coordinate transit providers across the region to assist in efficiently connecting people to jobs and services.
n Closely align policy decisions and funding availability with the supply and demand of transit services in region.
TransitTransit is an increasing and important need for rural and small urban centers in south central Minnesota. The region must evaluate the area’s needs to meet demand and reduce the mobility gap.
Goal
Strategies
Decrease the number of communities out of MPCA compliance and increase the number of communities and projects on the MPCA PPL.
u Develop appropriate water and wastewater infrastructure to support existing and new business and housing developments.
n Facilitate and educate local communities with best practices that illustrate funding options to update outdated and undersized systems.
Water and Wastewater InfrastructureWater and wastewater infrastructure projects are difficult to fund especially with a small population base versus a larger community being able to spread the project costs across a larger population.28
According to the MPCA 2016 Clean Water Project Priority List (PPL) there are 14 cities in Region Nine that are listed. The project cost ranges from approximately $400,000 to $13.4 million. Of the $1.4 billion of total estimated project costs in Minnesota, over $42 million are in the Region Nine area.
Goal
Strategies
Move toward equilibrium in local housing markets.
u Increase the development of workforce housing.
u Provide more coordinated housing planning for communities on a local and regional scale.
n Collect and share best management practices around housing projects, policies and financing.
n Encourage development of transitional and life-cycle housing in rural communities.
Housing AvailabilityHousing challenges that can arise in communities are, tight rental and ownership markets, cost-burdened households, workforce and elderly housing shortages and low quality and aging housing stock. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, families who pay more than 30% of their income for housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities. In Region Nine, Blue Earth County has the highest number of renters that spend more than 30% of income on housing with a total of 55% of renters. Both Nicollet and Martin counties have 45% of renters that spend more than 30% of income on housing. Watonwan County has the lowest number of renters that spend more than 30% of income on housing with a total of 32% of renters.
Additionally, a 5% vacancy rate is generally considered a sign of a healthy rental housing market, currently per the 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates all counties are above the 5% vacancy rate except Faribault (4%), Le Sueur (3.2%), Nicollet (3.5%) and Waseca (3.2%).29
28 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Clean Water Project Priority List, 2016 29 U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
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Appendix I: Resolutions
Appendix I - Resolution Region Nine Development Commission
39 40
Appendix I - Resolution South Central Workforce Council | CEDS Committee
Appendix II: SWOT Analysis
41 42
• Highereducation-studenttalent,drawsoutsidecitizenstoregion
• Educatedworkforce • Diversity-bothculturalandbusiness&industry• Recognition&awards-P.R.opportunitiesforsouthcentralMinnesota
• Regionalcooperation • Qualityoflifeamenities-keepstalenthere• Abundanceofpostsecondaryeducation(2yr./4yr.etc.)
• Significantpopulationwithassociatedegrees(2yr.)• Coordinatedstateandlocaleffortsforbusinessattraction,expansion&retentionbothforbusinessdevelopmentandworkforcedevelopment(DEED/MNWorkforceCenter/SBDC)
• Employersopentoadiverseworkforce• Employersopentoanagingworkforce(e.g.hiringandretaining)
• Entrepreneurialattitude • Businessesarewillingtotraintherightpeople
• Affordablehousing-notinalignmentwithneeds• Youngtalentleaving-retainingnewgraduates• Languagebarriers• Internationaldegreesmightnottranslate• Livablewagesforentry-levelpositions• Servicesforpeopleintransition(e.g.addiction)• Centraldatabase-employersdonotknowwheretoaccessdata
• Analysisofemploymentneedsforpositions-donotlimitapplicantpool
• Decliningpopulation• Workforceshortage• Lowerwagesthancomparingwiththemetroarea• Lackofacceptancetoculturaldifferenceintheworkplace
• Retainstudents • Futureregionaltransitsystem• Betteraccesstoresourcesforinternationalstudents,immigrants-e.g.transportation
• Howtodispersetalentpooloutsideofregionalcenter
• Recruit&retainbackgraduates,peoplewhohaveleft• Boomerpopulation-encorecareers• Coordination/articulationofagreementsbetweenuniversitiesandcolleges
• Workwithbusinessestomeetworkexpectationsofnewemployees
• Educationalincentives • Highschoolinternships • Moreeducationalinstitutionsandbusinessconnections
• Qualityoflife-marketing • Lesstraffic-convenience • Directing/recommendingmorepeopletowardsfasttrackeducation
• Numberofplaceshiring• Strongpopulation/laborforcegrowth
• Agingworkforce-agriculture,skilledandmanufacturing
• Schooldistrictcutbacks,especiallysmallerdistricts/tradesandelectives
• Regionally(theMidwest)lowestunemploymentrates
• Costofhighereducation• Studentspushedtowardsfouryeardegreesbyparents
• Reducedfundingforschool/careercounselors• Highschoolstandardsarerelatedto4yr.colleges
Human CapitalStrengths Opportunities
ThreatsWeaknesses
• Numberofjobsavailable • Costofdoingbusinessislessthanmetropolitanareas• Willingnessoflocalgovernmenttohelp-businessmentoring
• Regionalcollaboration• Abilitytosharerisksacrossmultiplefinancialproviders(loanpackaging)-‘everyonetakesapieceofthepie’
• Transportation-accesstorailandhighway• Agriculturaleconomy• Stronganddiversemanufacturingbase• Costofliving• Lowerpropertytaxes• Exportassistance• 2020mandateinsolar&otherenvironmentalpolicies• Accesstosupportservices(S.C.O.R.E./SBDC/SBA)funding
• NPOtrainingresources-K-12&College• Smallbusinessesgeneratingeconomicimpact• Proactivepromotion-initiatives(GreenSeam)• Globalconnectionsthroughinternettrade• Directsuccessoflocalbusinesses(proven)
• Lackofmarketingoftheareas/Minnesota• LackoffundingtoDEEDformarketing• Affordablebroadband-availabilityandreliability• Workforcehousing-transportation• Publicinfrastructure/roadsandbridges• Unreliablepowersource(electricity)• Lackofstartupcapital(orperceptionthereof)• Knowledgeofusersforaccesstoresources(notuserfriendly)
• Systemnavigation(guide/coachatcommunityleveltoleadbusinessesthroughprocess)
• Diversityinaccesstofunding• Accesstofinancing• Lackofsoundandupdatedtechnology(wireless)• K-12cutbacks-communityaccessforK-college/restsonteachers
• GreenSeam • Naturalresources-land,rivers,lakes,etc.• Financialresourcesforbusinesses• Work/collaboratewithotheruniversities-R&D• Incubator,workspaceopportunities• Educationofstakeholdersonavailableresources(government,non-profit,profit)
• Moretrainingintechnical(informationtechnology)andbusinessoperation/management
• Bringpeopletotheappropriateresources• Bringchangeinprogramrequirementsatcommunitylevel
• Trainingneededtoestablishsoundbusinesspractices• Tellstoryofeachlocalcommunityandconnecttoresources
• Transportation • Internationalopportunitiesinfood/medicalthroughlocalresourcespromotion
• Clarity,transparency,promotionofimmigrantreformtoincentivizeruralcommunitiestoacceptpopulation
• Integrationofnon-localsintocommunity
• Lackofwillingnesstoacceptchange/newideas• Entrepreneurslackofbusinessintelligence• Lowagricultureprices• Schoolfunding,referendumsandpropertytaxes• Cityandruraldivide• Lossoflaborforceinsmallercommunities• Payscalecomparisons • Drivewagesdowntocompete• Largecompaniesimpactonruralcommunitiesiftheyleavecommunity
Economic CompetitivenessStrengths Opportunities
ThreatsWeaknesses
44
• Waterquality(watershedimpactedbyfarmdrainage)
• Farmbuffer-50ft.bufferstrips(legislativemandate)• Waterqualityimpactedbychemicalfiltrationofwater
• Shortsighted-immediatereturnsvs.long-termgoals
• Promotionandadvertisementregion-wideiscurrentlyweak
• Attentionandintentiontoleadership• Properuseofresources-possiblytomanynon-profits
• Toomuchrelianceononesystem-notawaytoeasilyaccessinformationaboutcommunityeventsandresources
• Lackoffundingforpublicfacilities,communitycenters,recreationalfacilities,arts&culture
• Southcentraldoesnothaveareputationfortourism
43
• Accesstomajortransportationroutes(HWY169,I-90,etc.)andexpansionofmajorroads
• Greatwaterresourceforwaterappropriationpermits• Trailsystems• Mostproductivelandintheworld• Lookingfornewopportunities-technologyinagriculturalsystems
• Lackofbroadbandavailability,accessibilityandaffordability
• Lackofworkforcehousing • Lackoflifecyclehousing(activeseniorandbeyond)• Betterjobatmaintainingthestreets• Lackofplanningforfutureinfrastructureimprovementsinthepresent
• Broadbandinruralareas-eachlocalareashastodetermineownbroadbandsystem-navigating,privateproviders,state/federalfunding,ownership
• Waterandsewer-oldsystems• Historicalbuildingmaintenance-balanceoffunding• Communitieshavingaplantotakethemtothenextlevel
• Showbenefitofbroadbandavailabilityandaccess-willpaybackintheend
• Regionalhousingplan • Sharingofcostsforinfrastructure/drainagewatercosts
• Schoolsystemstohavehighratingsanddrawpeople• Collaboratingneedforcommunitiestoworkonaffordablehousingandtransit
• Betterutilizeexistingspace-ratherthanbuildingnew
• Forrenewableenergy-solar/wind• Transitsystemwithruralcommunities
• Lackofcommunityunderstandinghowimportantbroadbandis
• Lackofworkforcehousing • Lackofunderstandingofagriculturaldrainagesystems
• Unwillingnessoftaxpayerstopayforfutureimprovementsofinfrastructure
• Governmentmandateswithnofundingtohelpcitiescomply
• Lackoftransparencyforfundingofaffordablehousing
• Rightsizeofwastewatertreatmentfacility-ruralwatersystems
• Publicperceptionofagriculturesystems
Foundational AssetsStrengths Opportunities
ThreatsWeaknesses
• Arts • Parks,trailsystemsandathleticfacilities• Schools • Safeplacestolive • Naturalenvironment(scenic) • Newcompaniesfocusedonrecreation-MSU-Mcanalsoprovideprofessional/recreationopportunities
• CommunitieslikeNewUlmfocusedonculturalheritage• Numberoftheatreproductions,culturalandartevents,fairsandfestivals
• Lotsofwater• Highdegreeofparticipation-communitiespulltogether,e.g.Madelia
• Goodsystemsinplace-e.g.RegionNine,GreaterMankatoGrowth
• Manpowertomakedecisions• CommunityuseofwastewaterinMankatoarea(canbeaweaknessaswell)
• Communitysportteams• Excellentgolfcoursesanddisccourses• Wineries/breweries(craft)• Localfoods• Agri-tourism
• Advertisegreatplaceitis-beautyofnaturalenvironments,lakes
• Trails(regional)• Leveragepropertytaxes• Placemaking/branding• Promotetourism-brochure,lakes;canbedistributedatreststops
• Highlight“madelocal”-localbusinessesandsmallmanufacturing
• Goodconversationshappeningaboutwaterrelatedtotourism-numberofbridgesinBlueEarthCounty
• Betterfocusonregionalartsandtourism-communications
• Waterqualityanalysis-well-headprotectionplansmakescommunitiesmoreawareofcurrentgoals
• Lakeimprovementassociations• Landavailableforrecreationalactivities• Createmore“destinations”andmarketexistingdestinations
• Capitalizeonexistingassets • Continuetogrowlocalfoods,agri-tourism
• Financialstraintomeetstatemandatesimposedoncities-MPCAwaterquality
• Unfundedmandates• Impairedwatersimpacting-floodwaters,runoff,sewers/infrastructure
• Lackoftaxbase(andgrowing) • Competitionforstateandfederaldollars• Wantingtokeepourresourcestoourselves• Stayingthesame• Lackofconsistentenforcementofenvironmentalregulation
• Howtobeinclusivewhensofewculturalgroupsinourregion
• Shortageofprovidersandhealthcareprovidersinsmalltowns
• Overcompetitionofbigboxstores• Gap/lackofcivicleadershipcomingfromyoungergeneration
• Unwillingnessofcurrentleadershiptochangeormentorfutureleaders
• Communicationtechniquesbetweengenerations• Toomanywaterparks(orsimilaramenities)thatnegativelyaffectresourcesofexistingfacilities
• Waterquality• Drawofbigeventsandvenuesversuscommunity-basedactivities
Community ResourcesStrengths Opportunities
ThreatsWeaknesses
45 46
Hum
an C
apit
al A
ctio
n Pl
an
Stra
tegy
Part
ners
and
Sta
keho
lder
sTi
mel
ine
Prio
rity
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
/ Ev
alua
tion
Enha
nce
and
capi
taliz
e on
the
qual
ity o
f life
am
eniti
es to
reta
in ta
lent
in th
e re
gion
. RN
DC
, citi
es, c
ount
ies,
loca
l cha
mbe
rs o
f co
mm
erce
, loc
al e
cono
mic
dev
elop
ers,
DEE
D,
SMIF
, U o
f M E
xten
sion,
SC
WC
, SBD
C,
DEE
D W
orkf
orce
Cen
ter
Long
term
2.88
Incr
ease
in la
bor f
orce
, inc
reas
e in
pop
ulat
ion
and
incr
ease
in th
e av
erag
e w
age
in th
e re
gion
.
Incr
ease
opp
ortu
nitie
s for
enc
ore
care
ers a
nd
retu
rnin
g gr
adua
tes t
o re
turn
to th
e re
gion
al
wor
kfor
ce.
Are
a em
ploy
ers,
SCW
C, D
EED
Wor
kfor
ce
Cen
ter
Long
term
2.71
Incr
ease
in th
e la
bor f
orce
and
an
incr
ease
in
the
aver
age
wag
e.
Part
ner w
ith u
nive
rsiti
es, t
echn
ical
colle
ges,
wor
kfor
ce co
unci
ls, lo
cal e
cono
mic
dev
elop
ers,
busin
ess d
evel
opm
ent c
ente
rs, w
orkf
orce
cent
ers
and
empl
oyer
s to
prom
ote
incu
mbe
nt w
orke
r up
skill
ing
to in
crea
se m
ento
rshi
ps a
nd p
oten
tially
el
evat
e w
ages
and
kno
wle
dge
acro
ss th
e re
gion
.
Uni
vers
ities
, tec
hnic
al co
llege
s, SC
WC
, lo
cal e
cono
mic
dev
elop
ers,
SBD
C, D
EED
W
orkf
orce
Cen
ter,
area
em
ploy
ers
Long
term
2.71
Incr
ease
in a
vera
ge w
age
acro
ss th
e re
gion
.
Con
nect
and
pro
mot
e an
d po
tent
ially
ince
ntiv
ize
busin
esse
s to
crea
te g
reat
pla
ces t
o w
ork.
RN
DC
, DEE
D, F
eder
al E
DA
, SM
IF,
S.C
.O.R
.E.,
USD
A R
ural
Dev
elop
men
tSh
ort t
erm
2.59
The
num
ber o
f bus
ines
ses w
ho a
re d
esig
nate
d as
gre
at p
lace
s to
wor
k in
the
regi
on.
Prom
ote
a qu
ality
, flex
ible
and
trai
ned
wor
kfor
ce to
ar
ea b
usin
esse
s.D
EED
Wor
kfor
ce C
ente
rs, S
CW
C, R
ND
C,
area
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
Shor
t ter
m
/ Lon
g te
rm2.
53In
crea
se in
labo
r for
ce a
nd a
n in
crea
se in
new
bu
sines
ses o
r bus
ines
s exp
ansio
n in
the
regi
on.
Gre
ater
colla
bora
tion
and
coor
dina
tion
of p
rogr
ams
amon
gst h
ighe
r edu
catio
n in
stitu
tions
and
maj
or
regi
onal
em
ploy
ers.
Hig
her e
duca
tion
inst
itutio
ns, r
egio
nal
empl
oyer
s, RN
DC
Shor
t ter
m2.
41In
crea
sed
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s in
care
er a
nd
tech
nica
l edu
catio
n pr
ogra
ms t
hat a
re li
nked
to
regi
onal
in-d
eman
d jo
bs.
Supp
ort a
nd co
nnec
t com
mun
ities
that
hav
e th
e hi
ghes
t con
cent
ratio
n of
min
ority
pop
ulat
ions
to
incl
usio
n op
port
uniti
es (e
.g. G
aylo
rd, M
adel
ia,
Man
kato
/Nor
th M
anka
to M
SA a
nd S
t. Ja
mes
). Th
ese
com
mun
ities
will
hav
e th
e op
port
unity
to
acce
ss th
ese
spec
ific t
alen
t poo
ls an
d m
arke
t the
co
mm
unity
as a
pla
ce o
f hig
h in
clus
ion.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, S
MIF
, SBD
C,
DEE
D W
orkf
orce
Cen
ters
, SC
WC
, citi
es,
coun
ties,
Div
ersit
y C
ounc
il, L
EDC
, YW
CA
Shor
t ter
m2.
35In
crea
se in
pop
ulat
ion,
incr
ease
in n
ew o
r ex
pand
ing
busin
esse
s and
incr
ease
in la
bor
forc
e pa
rtic
ipat
ion.
Reta
in th
e 76
.6%
of w
orke
rs th
at p
rese
ntly
live
and
/or
wor
k in
RN
DC
and
com
mut
e to
RN
DC
for w
ork
and
capt
ure
the
near
ly 3
0,00
0 jo
bs th
at th
e re
gion
is
expo
rtin
g to
oth
er a
reas
of t
he st
ate.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, lo
cal c
ham
bers
of
com
mer
ce, l
ocal
eco
nom
ic d
evel
oper
s, D
EED
, SM
IF, S
CW
C, S
BDC
, DEE
D W
orkf
orce
C
ente
r
Long
term
2.35
Incr
ease
the
perc
enta
ge o
f wor
kers
abo
ve 7
6.6%
th
at p
rese
ntly
live
and
wor
k in
the
regi
on a
nd
decr
ease
the
num
ber o
f job
s fro
m 3
0,00
0 th
at
the
regi
on is
exp
ortin
g to
oth
er a
reas
of t
he
stat
e.In
crea
se th
e aw
aren
ess a
mon
g st
uden
ts, p
aren
ts
and
educ
ator
s abo
ut th
e ed
ucat
iona
l req
uire
men
ts
for f
utur
e em
ploy
men
t opp
ortu
nitie
s spe
cific
to th
e re
gion
.
RND
C, s
choo
l dist
rict
s, ca
reer
coun
selo
rs,
loca
l cha
mbe
r of c
omm
erce
, citi
es, c
ount
ies,
high
er e
duca
tion
inst
itutio
ns
Long
term
2.35
Incr
ease
d nu
mbe
r of s
tude
nts i
n ca
reer
and
te
chni
cal e
duca
tion
prog
ram
s tha
t are
link
ed to
re
gion
al in
-dem
and
jobs
.
Appendix III: Action Plan
Specific dollar amounts are not attached to each goal or strategy item. The scope of the of this plan is five years with staff time as the anticipated greatest cost. Region Nine Development Commission plans to partner with other organizations and explore grant and cost sharing opportunities to reduce duplicated efforts and lower costs.
47 48
Econ
omic
Com
peti
tive
ness
Act
ion
Plan
Stra
tegy
Part
ners
and
Sta
keho
lder
sTi
mel
ine
Prio
rity
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
/ Ev
alua
tion
Enco
urag
e pa
rtne
rshi
p be
twee
n lo
cal p
ublic
and
pr
ivat
e se
ctor
s for
ince
ntiv
es a
nd p
rogr
ams f
or a
rea
busin
esse
s, su
ch a
s tax
incr
emen
t fina
ncin
g, ta
x ab
atem
ent,
or D
EED
's Bu
sines
s Dev
elop
men
t Pub
lic
Infr
astr
uctu
re p
rogr
am to
attr
act e
ntre
pren
eurs
to th
e re
gion
and
alig
n th
e re
crui
ted
entr
epre
neur
s with
the
loca
l em
ploy
men
t nee
ds.
RND
C, D
EED
, SM
IF, D
EED
, Fed
eral
ED
A, W
orkf
orce
Cen
ter,
SCW
CLo
ng te
rm2.
53In
crea
sed
num
ber o
f bus
ines
s for
mat
ions
or
expa
nsio
ns in
the
regi
on a
nd a
n in
crea
se in
jobs
cr
eate
d or
reta
ined
.
Dire
ctly
conn
ect o
ur h
ighe
r edu
catio
n in
stitu
tions
, in
clud
ing
Min
neso
ta S
tate
Uni
vers
ity, M
anka
to,
Sout
h C
entr
al C
olle
ge, B
etha
ny L
uthe
ran
Col
lege
, Ra
smus
sen
Col
lege
, Gus
tavu
s Ado
lphu
s Col
lege
and
M
artin
Lut
her C
olle
ge d
irect
ly to
maj
or e
mpl
oyer
s for
po
tent
ial r
esea
rch
and
deve
lopm
ent c
olla
bora
tions
.
RND
C, M
SU-M
, Sou
th C
entr
al
Col
lege
, Bet
hany
Lut
hera
n C
olle
ge,
Rasm
usse
n C
olle
ge, G
usta
vus A
dolp
hus
Col
lege
and
Mar
tin L
uthe
r Col
lege
, ar
ea e
mpl
oyer
s, SC
WC
, DEE
D
Wor
kfor
ce C
ente
r
Shor
t ter
m2.
53In
crea
sed
num
ber o
f stu
dent
s in
care
er a
nd
tech
nica
l edu
catio
n pr
ogra
ms t
hat a
re li
nked
to
regi
onal
in-d
eman
d jo
bs.
Part
ner w
ith S
mal
l Bus
ines
s Dev
elop
men
t Cen
ter,
Sout
h C
entr
al M
N S
.C.O
.R.E
., Re
gion
al C
ente
r for
En
trep
rene
uria
l Fac
ilita
tion
and
Sout
hern
Min
neso
ta
Initi
ativ
e Fo
unda
tion
to h
elp
them
exp
and
and
funn
el
thei
r res
ourc
es in
to th
e m
ost r
ural
are
as in
sout
h ce
ntra
l Min
neso
ta.
RND
C, S
mal
l Bus
ines
s Dev
elop
men
t C
ente
r, So
uth
Cen
tral
MN
S.C
.O.R
.E.,
Regi
onal
Cen
ter f
or E
ntre
pren
euri
al
Faci
litat
ion
and
Sout
hern
Min
neso
ta
Initi
ativ
e Fo
unda
tion
Long
term
2.47
Incr
ease
d se
rvic
es to
rura
l SM
Es a
nd in
crea
se
in th
e nu
mbe
r of r
ural
bus
ines
s for
mat
ions
or
expa
nsio
ns.
Part
ner a
nd su
ppor
t leg
islat
ion,
util
izin
g st
atew
ide
supp
ort,
to e
xpan
d th
e Sm
all B
usin
ess D
evel
opm
ent
Cen
ters
, Sou
th C
entr
al M
N S
.C.O
.R.E
., Re
gion
al
Cen
ter f
or E
ntre
pren
euri
al F
acili
tatio
n an
d So
uthe
rn
Min
neso
ta In
itiat
ive
Foun
datio
n’s c
apac
ity to
bui
ld
out t
heir
netw
ork
and
incr
ease
reso
urce
s for
rura
l SM
Es.
RND
C, S
mal
l Bus
ines
s Dev
elop
men
t C
ente
r, So
uth
Cen
tral
MN
S.C
.O.R
.E.,
Regi
onal
Cen
ter f
or E
ntre
pren
euri
al
Faci
litat
ion
and
Sout
hern
Min
neso
ta
Initi
ativ
e Fo
unda
tion
Long
term
2.47
Incr
ease
d se
rvic
es to
rura
l SM
Es a
nd in
crea
se
in th
e nu
mbe
r of r
ural
bus
ines
s for
mat
ions
or
expa
nsio
ns.
Dev
elop
and
pro
mot
e a
regi
onal
mar
ketin
g st
rate
gy
with
a cl
ear a
nd co
ncise
mes
sage
to at
trac
t pot
entia
l ne
w re
siden
ts b
y le
vera
ging
regi
onal
reso
urce
s, su
ch
as th
e U
nive
rsity
of M
inne
sota
Ext
ensio
n, S
outh
ern
Min
neso
ta In
itiat
ive
Foun
datio
n, R
ND
C a
nd o
ther
re
gion
al p
artn
ers.
Uni
vers
ity o
f Min
neso
ta E
xten
sion,
SM
IF, R
ND
C, a
rea
cham
bers
of
com
mer
ce, D
EED
Long
term
2.47
Stre
ngth
ened
regi
onal
par
tner
ship
s, nu
mbe
r of
inve
stm
ents
in m
arke
ting
and
recr
uitm
ent,
num
ber o
f new
resid
ents
in th
e re
gion
.
Incr
ease
and
div
ersif
y ac
cess
to c
apita
l to
boos
t in
nova
tion
and
entr
epre
neur
ship
. RN
DC
, SM
IF, a
rea
finan
cial
inst
itutio
nsSh
ort t
erm
2.41
Incr
ease
d di
vers
ifica
tion
of jo
bs in
the
regi
on
and
an in
crea
se in
SM
E bu
sines
s len
ding
by
loca
l co
mm
unity
dev
elop
men
t fina
ncia
l ins
titut
ions
Incr
ease
and
offe
r the
ava
ilabi
lity
of c
ultu
ral
com
pete
ncy
educ
atio
n th
roug
hout
the
regi
on.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, ci
ties,
coun
ties,
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, YW
CA
, Bus
h Fo
unda
tion,
SM
IF
Shor
t ter
m2.
18In
crea
se th
e nu
mbe
r of c
ultu
ral c
ompe
tenc
y re
sour
ces a
nd e
duca
tiona
l opp
ortu
nitie
s in
the
regi
on.
Incr
ease
the
med
ian
wag
e ac
ross
all
occu
patio
ns
in so
uth
cent
ral M
inne
sota
from
$16
.39
per h
our
clos
er to
the
stat
e m
edia
n w
age
of $
18.8
8 pe
r hou
r by
focu
sing
on h
igh
wag
e an
d hi
gh e
mpl
oym
ent
occu
patio
ns
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, lo
cal c
ham
bers
of
com
mer
ce, l
ocal
eco
nom
ic d
evel
oper
s, D
EED
, SM
IF, S
CW
C, S
BDC
, DEE
D W
orkf
orce
C
ente
r, lo
cal e
mpl
oyer
s
Long
term
2.06
Incr
ease
in th
e m
edia
n w
age
clos
er to
$18
.88
per h
our.
Offe
r and
pro
mot
e in
cent
ives
, ups
killi
ng, j
ob
trai
ning
and
fast
trac
k ed
ucat
ion
oppo
rtun
ities
. A
rea
empl
oyer
s, ed
ucat
ion
inst
itutio
ns,
DEE
D W
orkf
orce
Cen
ter,
Wor
kfor
ce
Cou
ncil,
loca
l em
ploy
ers,
man
ufac
ture
s, R&
D, M
edTe
ch C
onne
ct, h
ighe
r edu
catio
n in
stitu
tions
,
Long
term
2.06
Num
ber o
f wor
kers
trai
ned,
pla
ced
or o
ther
wise
im
pact
ed b
y w
orkf
orce
sect
or e
duca
tion
oppo
rtun
ities
or i
nitia
tives
.
Part
ner w
ith a
rea
empl
oyer
s and
wor
kfor
ce p
artn
ers
to cr
eate
, eva
luat
e an
d pu
blish
a li
st o
f gre
at
wor
kpla
ces i
n th
e re
gion
.
Are
a em
ploy
ers,
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, SB
DC
, SC
WC
, RN
DC
Shor
t ter
m1.
88Th
e nu
mbe
r of b
usin
esse
s who
par
ticip
ate,
the
amou
nt o
f com
mun
ity a
nd b
usin
ess s
uppo
rt o
f th
e gr
eat p
lace
s to
wor
k lis
t. Pu
rsue
add
ition
al fu
ndin
g to
secu
re a
dditi
onal
sc
hool
and
car
eer c
ouns
elor
s.RN
DC
, sch
ool d
istri
cts,
MN
Dep
artm
ent
of E
duca
tion,
DEE
D, h
ighe
r edu
catio
n in
stitu
tions
Long
term
1.71
Incr
ease
the
num
ber o
f sch
ool a
nd c
aree
r co
unse
lors
in th
e re
gion
.
49 50
Com
mun
ity
Reso
urce
s A
ctio
n Pl
an
Stra
tegy
Part
ners
and
Sta
keho
lder
sTi
mel
ine
Prio
rity
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
/ Ev
alua
tion
Prom
ote
and
high
light
loca
l bus
ines
ses a
nd th
eir
loca
lly p
rodu
ced
prod
ucts
. RN
DC
, citi
es, c
ount
ies,
loca
l ch
ambe
rs o
f com
mer
ce, a
rea
com
mun
ity g
roup
s, fa
rmer
s mar
kets
, cr
aft m
arke
ts, l
ocal
eve
nts,
fest
ival
s
Shor
t Ter
m2.
59In
crea
se in
the
gros
s sal
es o
f loc
al b
usin
esse
s and
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f a p
orta
l/hub
that
cont
ains
the
regi
on's
mad
e lo
cal p
rodu
cts
Prot
ect v
alua
ble
natu
ral r
esou
rces
and
out
door
he
ritag
e th
roug
h ed
ucat
ion,
pre
serv
atio
n an
d co
nser
vatio
n eff
orts
.
MN
DN
R, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f Wat
er
and
Soil
Reso
urce
s, ci
ties,
coun
ties,
area
env
ironm
enta
l gro
ups
Ong
oing
2.59
An
incr
ease
in e
duca
tiona
l eve
nts a
nd o
utre
ach
effor
ts
rela
ted
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
nat
ural
reso
urce
s, an
in
crea
se in
use
of s
tate
par
ks in
the
regi
on
Build
upo
n th
e st
rong
foun
datio
n of
com
mun
ity
part
icip
atio
n an
d su
ppor
t fou
nd in
loca
l co
mm
uniti
es.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, ch
ambe
rs
of co
mm
erce
, loc
al co
mm
unity
vo
lunt
eer g
roup
s
Ong
oing
2.47
Incr
ease
d pu
blic
par
ticip
atio
n an
d vo
lunt
eers
in lo
cal
com
mun
ities
Prom
ote
agri
cultu
ral b
ased
tour
ism a
nd p
ursu
e po
tent
ial f
or to
urism
dev
elop
men
t sur
roun
ding
the
agri
cultu
re se
ctor
and
loca
l foo
ds.
RND
C, F
arm
amer
ica,
loca
l cha
mbe
rs
of co
mm
erce
, Gre
enSe
amLo
ng T
erm
2.41
Incr
ease
in to
urism
and
an
incr
ease
in g
ross
sale
s of
loca
l foo
ds re
late
d bu
sines
ses
Enfo
rce
Fede
ral C
lean
Wat
er A
ct st
anda
rds t
hat
pres
ume
a w
ater
bod
y sh
ould
sust
ain
heal
thy
aqua
tic
life,
recr
eatio
n an
d ad
ditio
nal u
ses,
such
as d
rink
ing
wat
er, i
ndus
try
and
agri
cultu
ral u
ses.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, to
wns
hips
, la
ke a
ssoc
iatio
ns, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f W
ater
and
Soi
l Res
ourc
es
Ong
oing
2.38
Incr
ease
in w
ater
qua
lity
in th
e re
gion
Supp
ort a
nd p
rom
ote
regi
onal
wat
er q
ualit
y pl
ans,
proj
ects
and
initi
ativ
es.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, to
wns
hips
, la
ke a
ssoc
iatio
ns, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f W
ater
and
Soi
l Res
ourc
es, R
ND
C
Ong
oing
2.38
Dev
elop
men
t of a
regi
onal
wat
er q
ualit
y pl
an a
nd a
n in
crea
se in
out
reac
h an
d aw
aren
ess o
f the
impo
rtan
ce
of w
ater
qua
lity
Supp
ort l
ocal
com
mun
ity le
ader
ship
pro
gram
s and
ne
twor
king
gro
ups.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, Bl
andi
n Fo
unda
tion,
Bus
h Fo
unda
tion,
loca
l ch
ambe
rs o
f com
mer
ce, s
choo
l di
stri
cts
Ong
oing
2.35
Incr
ease
in n
umbe
r of p
artic
ipan
ts
Incr
ease
men
tors
hip
oppo
rtun
ities
for y
oung
er
gene
ratio
ns to
ass
ume
futu
re co
mm
unity
lead
ersh
ip
posit
ions
.
Cou
ntie
s, ci
ties,
area
em
ploy
ers,
scho
ol d
istri
cts,
SCW
CSh
ort T
erm
2.35
Incr
ease
in y
outh
par
ticip
atio
n in
com
mun
ity
activ
ities
Dev
elop
, im
plem
ent a
nd co
nsist
ently
enf
orce
land
us
e po
licie
s tha
t bal
ance
eco
nom
ic co
mpe
titiv
enes
s an
d re
silie
nce
with
hum
an w
ell-b
eing
and
nat
ural
am
eniti
es p
rese
rvat
ion.
MN
DN
R, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f Wat
er
and
Soil
Reso
urce
s, ci
ties,
coun
ties
Ong
oing
2.35
An
incr
ease
in p
lann
ed a
nd o
rder
ly d
evel
opm
ent i
n co
mm
uniti
es
Ince
ntiv
ize
loca
l em
ploy
ers w
ith th
e re
sear
ch a
nd
deve
lopm
ent t
ax cr
edit
to e
ncou
rage
and
incr
ease
re
sear
ch a
nd d
evel
opm
ent i
n th
e re
gion
.
DEE
D, A
URI
, uni
vers
ities
and
colle
ges,
maj
or e
mpl
oyer
sLo
ng te
rm2.
35In
crea
sed
num
ber o
f res
earc
h an
d de
velo
pmen
t ta
x cr
edits
rece
ived
in th
e re
gion
.
Con
tinue
to g
row
and
supp
ort b
usin
esse
s with
glo
bal
conn
ectio
ns th
roug
h in
tern
et tr
ade.
RN
DC
, Sm
all B
usin
ess D
evel
opm
ent
Cen
ter,
Sout
h C
entr
al M
N S
.C.O
.R.E
., Re
gion
al C
ente
r for
Ent
repr
eneu
rial
Fa
cilit
atio
n, S
MIF
Long
term
2.24
Incr
ease
in th
e nu
mbe
r of i
nter
net b
ased
bu
sines
ses i
n th
e re
gion
.
Cre
ate
netw
orks
of i
ncub
ator
, co-
wor
king
, pro
of
of co
ncep
t, m
aker
spac
es, i
nnov
atio
n ce
nter
s an
d te
ch ce
nter
s in
the
regi
on a
nd co
nnec
ting
to
regi
onal
par
tner
s for
edu
catio
n, tr
aini
ng a
nd S
TEM
pr
ogra
mm
ing
to sp
ur in
nova
tion
thro
ugho
ut th
e re
gion
.
DEE
D, R
ND
C, F
eder
al E
DA
, SM
IFLo
ng te
rm2.
18In
crea
sed
num
ber o
f bus
ines
s for
mat
ions
or
expa
nsio
ns in
the
regi
on.
Prog
ress
rese
arch
and
dev
elop
men
t pro
ject
s int
o m
arke
tabl
e te
chno
logy
pro
duct
ion
that
will
ulti
mat
ely
incr
ease
STE
M in
dust
ries
that
will
spur
eco
nom
ic
deve
lopm
ent t
hrou
ghou
t the
regi
on.
DEE
D, A
URI
Long
term
2.12
Incr
ease
div
ersifi
catio
n of
jobs
in th
e re
gion
.
Expl
ore
ince
ntiv
es a
nd e
xpan
d re
new
able
ene
rgy
deve
lopm
ent.
RND
C R
enew
able
Ene
rgy
Task
For
ce,
MN
Cle
an E
nerg
y Re
sear
ch T
eam
s, AU
RI, S
even
Mile
Cre
ek W
ater
shed
Pr
ojec
t, G
usta
vus A
dolp
hus J
ohns
on
Cen
ter f
or E
nviro
nmen
tal I
nnov
atio
n,
DEE
D
Shor
t ter
m2.
12In
crea
se th
e nu
mbe
r of r
enew
able
ene
rgy
inve
stm
ents
and
inst
alla
tions
acr
oss t
he re
gion
.
51 52
Impl
emen
t art
s and
cul
ture
-bas
ed p
lace
mak
ing
to
impr
ove
dow
ntow
ns a
nd p
ublic
spac
es.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, ec
onom
ic
deve
lopm
ent p
ract
ition
ers,
cham
bers
of
com
mer
ce, c
ultu
ral c
ente
rs, P
rair
ie
Lake
s Reg
iona
l Art
s Cou
ncil,
Tw
in
Rive
rs C
ounc
il fo
r the
Art
s
Long
Ter
m2.
06In
crea
se in
com
mun
ities
inte
rest
ed a
nd p
ursu
ing
com
mun
ity p
lace
mak
ing
and
bran
ding
Util
ize
soci
al m
edia
and
inno
vativ
e ci
vic e
ngag
emen
t te
chni
ques
to d
raw
per
spec
tives
from
you
th, w
eb
user
s and
peo
ple
from
long
dist
ance
s aw
ay to
incr
ease
en
gage
men
t and
inpu
t.
RND
C, M
inne
sota
Ass
ocia
tion
of
Gov
ernm
ent C
omm
unic
atio
ns,
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, loc
al
econ
omic
dev
elop
men
t and
pla
nnin
g pr
actit
ione
rs
Shor
t Ter
m2
Incr
ease
in o
nlin
e pr
esen
ce a
nd in
tera
ctio
ns,
eval
uate
soci
al m
edia
met
rics
to m
onito
r aud
ienc
e de
mog
raph
ics
Wor
k w
ith lo
cal c
ham
bers
of c
omm
erce
and
bu
sines
ses t
o cr
eate
dow
ntow
n fe
stiv
als a
nd fa
irs in
co
mm
uniti
es w
here
dow
ntow
ns b
enefi
ts fr
om a
n in
flux
of p
edes
tria
ns a
nd c
usto
mer
s.
Loca
l cha
mbe
rs o
f com
mer
ce,
Expl
ore
Min
neso
ta, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, ar
ea b
usin
esse
s
Long
Ter
m2
Incr
ease
in th
e nu
mbe
r of c
omm
uniti
es th
at h
ost
dow
ntow
n fe
stiv
als a
nd fa
irs a
nd a
n in
crea
se in
do
wnt
own
busin
esse
s’ gr
oss s
ales
Cre
ate
and
prom
ote
“uni
que
nich
es” t
hrou
gh
plac
emak
ing,
com
preh
ensiv
e pl
anni
ng o
r cap
ital
impr
ovem
ent p
lann
ing
to m
ap o
ut a
com
mun
ity
bran
d an
d vi
sion
in sc
alab
le in
crem
ents
for t
he n
ext
thre
e, fi
ve a
nd te
n ye
ars i
n th
e fu
ture
.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, lo
cal
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, SH
PO,
MN
Mai
n St
reet
, MN
Des
ign
Team
, M
PCA
Long
Ter
m2
An
incr
ease
of c
omm
unity
bra
ndin
g an
d ou
trea
ch
and
an in
crea
se in
tour
ism in
thes
e co
mm
uniti
es
Incr
ease
the
capa
city
of c
omm
uter
bus
line
s, la
nd-
to-a
ir bu
ses,
taxi
serv
ices
and
ride
shar
ing
to e
xpan
d so
uth
cent
ral’s
tour
ism fr
om th
e M
inne
apol
is-St
. Pau
l In
tern
atio
nal A
irpo
rt. Th
e co
nnec
tions
coul
d lin
k to
st
ate
park
s, hi
stor
ical
des
tinat
ions
and
dow
ntow
ns –
e.
g. M
anka
to, H
ende
rson
, New
Ulm
as w
ell a
s lak
es
and
regi
onal
par
ks a
nd tr
ails.
RND
C, t
rans
it se
rvic
es, t
axi s
ervi
ces,
ride
shar
ing,
Lan
d to
Air
Expr
ess,
MnD
OT,
pot
entia
l reg
iona
l tra
nsit
coor
dina
tion
coun
cil,
loca
l cha
mbe
rs
of co
mm
erce
Long
Ter
m1.
94In
crea
se in
tour
ists/
trav
eler
s visi
ting
stat
e pa
rks a
nd
incr
ease
in d
ownt
own
busin
esse
s’ gr
oss s
ales
Retr
ofit a
nd co
nver
t ene
rgy
ineffi
cien
t bui
ldin
g’s
was
te in
to C
ombi
ned
Hea
t and
Pow
er (C
HP)
bu
ildin
gs to
del
iver
hot
wat
er, h
eat a
nd el
ectr
ic
gene
ratio
n us
es.
Min
neso
ta C
lean
Ene
rgy
Reso
urce
Te
ams,
area
bus
ines
ses,
RND
C
Rene
wab
le E
nerg
y Ta
sk F
orce
Ong
oing
1.94
An
incr
ease
in th
e nu
mbe
r of C
HP
build
ings
in th
e re
gion
Part
ner w
ith a
rea
univ
ersit
ies,
tech
nica
l col
lege
s an
d sc
hool
dist
rict
s to
prom
ote
art p
rogr
ams,
art
wal
ks a
nd a
rt-r
elat
ed e
vent
s and
cour
ses i
n ru
ral
com
mun
ities
.
RND
C, u
nive
rsiti
es, t
echn
ical
co
llege
s, sc
hool
dist
rict
s, ar
t cou
ncils
, C
hild
ren'
s Mus
eum
of S
outh
ern
Min
neso
ta, P
rair
ie L
akes
Reg
iona
l A
rts C
ounc
il, T
win
Riv
ers C
ounc
il fo
r the
Art
s
Shor
t Ter
m1.
76In
crea
se in
the
num
ber o
f art
pro
gram
s, ar
t wal
ks a
nd
art r
elat
ed e
vent
s in
the
regi
on
Org
aniz
e bo
th a
mat
eur a
nd p
rofe
ssio
nal a
thle
tics t
o dr
aw p
eopl
e to
par
k sy
stem
s or t
own
cent
ers.
Loca
l cha
mbe
rs o
f com
mer
ce, s
choo
l di
stri
cts
Shor
t Ter
m1.
71In
crea
se in
par
k an
d to
wn
cent
er u
sage
/res
erva
tions
Reus
e va
cant
stor
efro
nts,
war
ehou
ses,
etc.
to h
ost
new
and
em
ergi
ng a
rtist
s, ga
lleri
es a
nd e
xper
imen
tal
spac
es.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, ec
onom
ic
deve
lopm
ent p
ract
ition
ers,
cham
bers
of
com
mer
ce, c
ultu
ral c
ente
rs, P
rair
ie
Lake
s Reg
iona
l Art
s Cou
ncil,
Tw
in
Rive
rs C
ounc
il fo
r the
Art
s
Long
Ter
m2.
29D
ecre
ase
in th
e nu
mbe
r of v
acan
t sto
refr
onts
, w
areh
ouse
s and
an
incr
ease
in g
alle
ries
and
ex
peri
men
tal s
pace
s in
the
regi
on
Prom
ote
inte
rgov
ernm
enta
l coo
pera
tion
and
part
ners
hips
rela
ted
to w
ater
qua
lity
plan
s, pr
ojec
ts
and
initi
ativ
es.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, to
wns
hips
, la
ke a
ssoc
iatio
ns, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f W
ater
and
Soi
l Res
ourc
es, R
ND
C
Ong
oing
2.25
Incr
ease
in th
e nu
mbe
r of o
rgan
izat
ions
supp
ortin
g,
cham
pion
ing
and
part
icip
atin
g in
wat
er q
ualit
y pl
anni
ng, p
roje
cts a
nd in
itiat
ives
Prom
ote
natu
re-b
ased
tour
ism a
nd p
ursu
e po
tent
ial
for d
evel
opm
ent o
f new
hos
pita
lity
and
natu
re a
cces
s ve
ntur
es.
Gre
ater
Min
neso
ta R
egio
nal P
arks
an
d Tr
ails
Com
miss
ion,
RN
DC
, Ex
plor
e M
inne
sota
, MN
DN
R, lo
cal
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
Long
Ter
m2.
24In
crea
se in
tour
ism a
nd in
crea
se in
pro
mot
ion
of th
e re
gion
’s na
tura
l res
ourc
es
Cap
italiz
e on
cur
rent
tour
ism d
estin
atio
ns a
nd fu
ture
de
velo
pmen
t of n
ew d
estin
atio
ns.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s, lo
cal
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, are
a co
mm
unity
gro
ups
Shor
t Ter
m2.
18In
crea
se in
the
num
ber o
f atte
ndee
s to
area
tour
ist
dest
inat
ions
Act
ivel
y en
gage
the
publ
ic in
nat
ural
reso
urce
pl
anni
ng to
ach
ieve
gre
ater
com
mun
ity a
war
enes
s an
d su
ppor
t of r
educ
ing
over
all c
arbo
n fo
otpr
ints
.
MN
DN
R, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f W
ater
and
Soi
l Res
ourc
es, M
inne
sota
Po
llutio
n C
ontr
ol A
genc
y, ci
ties,
coun
ties,
RND
C R
enew
able
Ene
rgy
Task
For
ce
Ong
oing
2.18
An
incr
ease
in e
duca
tiona
l eve
nts a
nd o
utre
ach
effor
ts
rela
ted
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
nat
ural
reso
urce
s, an
in
crea
se in
use
of s
tate
par
ks in
the
regi
on
Prom
ote
com
pact
and
infil
l dev
elop
men
t of c
ities
an
d ur
ban
area
s tha
t inc
lude
mix
ed co
mm
erci
al
and
mix
ed re
siden
tial z
onin
g to
redu
ce th
e nu
mbe
r of
veh
icle
s tra
vele
d an
d re
duce
cost
s ass
ocia
ted
with
hea
ting
and
cool
ing,
savi
ng co
mm
uniti
es a
nd
busin
esse
s on
land
-use
exp
ense
s.
Cou
ntie
s, ci
ties
Ong
oing
2.13
Dec
reas
e in
the
num
ber o
f ava
ilabl
e va
cant
lots
in
com
mun
ities
Enha
nce
soil
and
wat
er m
anag
emen
t by
incr
easin
g co
nser
vatio
n pr
actic
es, r
etai
ning
top
soil
and
agri
cultu
re p
rodu
ctiv
ity d
urin
g ex
trem
e ra
in, d
roug
ht
and
free
zing
eve
nts.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, to
wns
hips
, la
ke a
ssoc
iatio
ns, M
inne
sota
Boa
rd o
f W
ater
and
Soi
l Res
ourc
es
Long
Ter
m2.
13In
crea
se in
agr
icul
tura
l pro
duct
ivity
in th
e re
gion
Incr
ease
coor
dina
ted
regi
onal
pro
mot
ion
of a
ll cu
ltura
l and
art
s rel
ated
eve
nts f
or g
reat
er re
ach
and
com
mun
ity su
ppor
t of t
hese
sect
ors.
RND
C, c
ham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, cu
ltura
l cen
ters
, Pra
irie
Lak
es
Regi
onal
Art
s Cou
ncil,
Tw
in R
iver
s C
ounc
il fo
r the
Art
s
Shor
t Ter
m2.
06In
crea
se p
artic
ipat
ion
and
awar
enes
s of c
ultu
ral a
nd
arts
rela
ted
even
ts in
the
area
53 54
Foun
dati
onal
Ass
ets
Act
ion
Plan
Stra
tegy
Part
ners
and
Sta
keho
lder
sTi
mel
ine
Prio
rity
Perf
orm
ance
Mea
sure
/ Ev
alua
tion
Incr
ease
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f wor
kfor
ce h
ousin
g.RN
DC
, citi
es, c
ount
ies,
area
em
ploy
ers,
Min
neso
ta H
ousin
g Fi
nanc
e A
genc
y, M
inne
sota
Hou
sing
Part
ners
hip,
SC
WC
Ong
oing
2.65
Incr
ease
of w
orkf
orce
hou
sing
avai
labl
e
Enco
urag
e st
ate
and
loca
l uni
ts o
f gov
ernm
ent
to su
ppor
t and
pur
sue
optio
ns th
at in
crea
se th
e av
aila
bilit
y of
tran
spor
tatio
n fu
ndin
g.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, lo
cal l
egisl
ator
s, M
nDO
TLo
ng T
erm
2.59
Incr
ease
in lo
cal t
rans
port
atio
n fu
ndin
g
Leve
rage
fede
ral p
rogr
am d
olla
rs, C
AF
II, a
nd
ARR
A to
mee
t nat
iona
l spe
ed g
oals
of 1
0/1
as
Phas
e I t
o im
plem
ent h
igh-
spee
d in
tern
et a
cces
s ac
ross
the
nine
coun
ties,
and
prov
ide
scal
able
in
fras
truc
ture
that
can
pro
vide
spee
ds in
exc
ess o
f 1:
1 gi
g sy
mm
etri
cal s
peed
s.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, D
EED
Offi
ce o
f Br
oadb
and
Dev
elop
men
t, co
untie
s, ci
ties a
nd
area
pro
vide
rs
Long
Ter
m2.
56In
crea
se th
e nu
mbe
r of p
roje
cts f
unde
d by
the
fede
ral C
AF
II a
nd A
RRA
pro
gram
s in
the
regi
on
Dev
elop
appr
opri
ate
wat
er-w
aste
wat
er
infr
astr
uctu
re to
supp
ort e
xist
ing
and
new
bu
sines
s and
hou
sing
deve
lopm
ents
.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, RN
DC
Long
Ter
m2.
53D
ecre
ase
the
num
ber o
f com
mun
ities
on
MPC
A's
PPL
Cre
ate
and
leve
rage
pub
lic a
nd p
rivat
e pa
rtne
rshi
ps, e
stab
lish
co-o
pera
tives
, and
wor
k w
ith a
ll w
irelin
e pro
vide
rs in
the r
egio
n to
impr
ove
acce
ss to
hig
h-sp
eed
inte
rnet
.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, D
EED
Offi
ce o
f Br
oadb
and
Dev
elop
men
t and
co-o
pera
tives
Long
Ter
m2.
47In
crea
se in
the
num
ber o
f com
mun
ities
that
m
eet t
he M
inne
sota
spee
d go
als o
f 25
Mbp
s do
wnl
oad/
3 M
bps u
ploa
d.
Mai
ntai
n an
d/or
pro
mot
e m
ajor
tran
spor
tatio
n ro
utes
that
conn
ect r
egio
nal e
cono
mic
hub
s to
stim
ulat
e ec
onom
ic d
evel
opm
ent.
RND
C, l
ocal
coun
ties,
citie
s, M
nDO
TSh
ort T
erm
2.47
Incr
ease
in h
igh
capa
city
ave
rage
ann
ual
daily
traffi
c on
maj
or tr
ansp
orta
tion
rout
es,
impr
ove
the
ride
smoo
th in
dex
in th
e ar
ea
Prov
ide
mor
e co
ordi
nate
d ho
usin
g pl
anni
ng fo
r co
mm
uniti
es o
n a
loca
l and
regi
onal
scal
e.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, M
inne
sota
Hou
sing
Part
ners
hip
Ong
oing
2.47
Incr
ease
the
num
ber o
f hou
sing
plan
s in
the
regi
on
Wor
k w
ith a
ll co
mm
uniti
es w
ithin
the
regi
on,
to e
nsur
e th
at p
lans
are
in p
lace
to m
eet t
he
MN
Gov
erno
r’s B
road
band
Tas
k Fo
rce
2016
re
com
men
ded
spee
d go
als (
25M
bps d
ownl
oad/
3 M
bps u
ploa
d st
atew
ide
by 2
022;
100
/20
by 2
026)
.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, D
EED
Offi
ce o
f Br
oadb
and
Dev
elop
men
t, co
untie
s, ci
ties a
nd
wire
line
prov
ider
s
Long
Ter
m2.
35In
crea
se th
e nu
mbe
r of c
omm
uniti
es th
at
mee
t the
MN
Gov
erno
r's B
road
band
Tas
k Fo
rce
spee
d go
als (
25M
bps d
ownl
oad/
3 M
bps
uplo
ad b
y 20
22).
Part
icip
ate
in re
gion
al h
ighw
ay co
rrid
or co
aliti
ons.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
sO
ngoi
ng2.
35In
crea
se in
loca
l tra
nspo
rtat
ion
fund
ing
Part
ner w
ith M
nDO
T to
hel
p id
entif
y po
tent
ial
frei
ght e
nhan
cem
ent p
roje
cts t
hat h
ave
good
po
tent
ial f
or a
pos
itive
retu
rn o
n in
vest
men
t.
RND
C, M
nDO
T, D
EED
, loc
al ch
ambe
rs o
f co
mm
erce
Ong
oing
2.35
Incr
ease
in p
roje
cts a
war
d Tr
ansp
orta
tion
Econ
omic
Dev
elop
men
t fun
ds
Cap
italiz
e on
com
mut
ers h
eadi
ng to
Roc
hest
er’s
Des
tinat
ion
Med
ical
Cen
ter a
nd th
e Tw
in C
ities
by
expa
ndin
g ac
cess
to b
usin
esse
s and
pro
mot
ing
tour
ist
dest
inat
ions
alo
ng m
ajor
tran
spor
tatio
n ro
utes
, e.g
. U
.S. H
ighw
ay 1
69 a
nd In
ters
tate
90.
RND
C, a
rea
busin
esse
s, lo
cal
cham
bers
of c
omm
erce
, citi
es,
coun
ties
Long
Ter
m1.
65In
crea
se in
the
num
ber o
f bus
ines
ses u
tiliz
ing
the
maj
or tr
ansp
orta
tion
rout
es a
nd in
crea
se in
the
gros
s sa
les o
f bus
ines
ses a
long
the
rout
es
Incr
ease
vot
er tu
rnou
t in
all n
ine
coun
ties t
o 67
.5%
so
that
eac
h co
unty
rank
s in
the
top
ten
vote
r tur
nout
of
all c
ount
ies a
cros
s the
stat
e.
Cou
ntie
s, ci
ties,
area
em
ploy
ers,
loca
l cha
mbe
rs o
f com
mer
ce, l
ocal
co
mm
unity
vol
unte
er g
roup
Long
Ter
m1.
59In
crea
se v
oter
turn
out a
bove
67.
5% in
eac
h of
the
nine
coun
ties.
App
ly a
nd re
ceiv
e de
signa
tion
as a
n A
rtsp
ace
com
mun
ity.
Art
spac
e, a
rtist
s, ci
ties,
coun
ties,
loca
l ec
onom
ic d
evel
oper
s and
pla
nner
sLo
ng T
erm
1.53
Incr
ease
in th
e nu
mbe
r of A
rtsp
ace
com
mun
ities
Esta
blish
a g
rant
or a
Rev
olvi
ng L
oan
Fund
op
port
unity
for a
rts c
ente
red
com
mer
ce.
RND
C, S
MIF
, Pra
irie
Lak
es R
egio
nal
Art
s Cou
ncil,
Tw
in R
iver
s Cou
ncil
for
the
Art
s, U
SDA
Rur
al D
evel
opm
ent
Long
Ter
m1.
53In
crea
se in
fund
ing
and
finan
cing
opp
ortu
nitie
s for
ar
ts re
late
d bu
sines
ses
Cre
ate
a tr
avel
ing
art s
how
case
that
pro
mot
es a
rt
educ
atio
n an
d ar
ea a
rtist
s tha
t wor
k in
the
field
, in
clud
ing
thea
ter a
rts,
phot
ogra
phy
and
digi
tal a
rt.
RND
C, u
nive
rsiti
es, t
echn
ical
co
llege
s, sc
hool
dist
rict
s, ar
t cou
ncils
, C
hild
ren'
s Mus
eum
of S
outh
ern
Min
neso
ta ,
410
Proj
ect
Long
Ter
m1.
41C
reat
ion
of th
e tr
avel
ing
art s
how
case
and
the
num
ber o
f com
mun
ities
that
are
eng
aged
55 56
Prom
ote
the
avai
labi
lity
and
bene
fits o
f tra
il sy
stem
s to
incr
ease
aw
aren
ess a
nd su
ppor
t fo
r inc
reas
ed a
ctiv
e liv
ing
in R
egio
n N
ine
com
mun
ities
.
SHIP
, loc
al ch
ambe
rs o
f com
mer
ce, s
choo
l di
stri
cts
Ong
oing
2.06
Incr
ease
the
num
ber o
f lin
ear m
iles r
elat
ed to
sid
ewal
ks, b
ike
lane
s and
trai
ls. A
sses
s tra
ffic
as d
ata
beco
mes
ava
ilabl
e
Coo
rdin
ate
tran
sit p
rovi
ders
acr
oss t
he re
gion
to
assis
t in
effici
ently
conn
ectin
g pe
ople
to jo
bs a
nd
serv
ices
.
RND
C, M
nDO
T, co
untie
s, po
tent
ial r
egio
nal
tran
sit co
ordi
natio
n co
unci
lLo
ng T
erm
2.06
Ass
ess c
usto
mer
and
pro
vide
r nee
ds
Con
tinue
par
tner
ing
with
the
Stat
ewid
e H
ealth
Im
prov
emen
t Par
tner
ship
to p
rom
ote
activ
e liv
ing
in co
mm
uniti
es.
RND
C, S
HIP
Ong
oing
2C
ontin
ue to
par
tner
in p
lann
ing
initi
ativ
es
and
invo
lvem
ent w
ith th
eir c
omm
unity
le
ader
ship
team
s
Wor
k w
ith O
ffice
of B
road
band
Dev
elop
men
t and
pr
ovid
ers t
o he
lp u
pdat
e th
e C
onne
ct M
inne
sota
se
rvic
e m
aps i
n th
e ni
ne co
untie
s in
RND
C
incl
ude
all p
rovi
ders
’ dat
a an
d en
sure
that
the
map
s are
as a
ccur
ate
as p
ossib
le.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, D
EED
Offi
ce o
f Br
oadb
and
Dev
elop
men
t and
are
a pr
ovid
ers
Shor
t Ter
m1.
94U
pdat
ed C
onne
ct M
inne
sota
serv
ices
map
for
the
regi
on
Eval
uate
fund
ing
and
serv
ice
optio
ns to
mee
t m
obili
ty a
nd a
cces
s nee
ds o
f ind
ivid
uals.
RN
DC
, MnD
OT,
coun
ties,
pote
ntia
l reg
iona
l tr
ansit
coor
dina
tion
coun
cil
Shor
t Ter
m1.
88A
sses
s cus
tom
er a
nd p
rovi
der n
eeds
Clo
sely
alig
n po
licy
deci
sions
and
fund
ing
avai
labi
lity
with
the
supp
ly a
nd d
eman
d of
tran
sit
serv
ices
in th
e re
gion
.
RND
C, M
nDO
T, co
untie
s, po
tent
ial r
egio
nal
tran
sit co
ordi
natio
n co
unci
lO
ngoi
ng1.
88A
sses
s cus
tom
er a
nd p
rovi
der n
eeds
DEE
D -
Min
neso
ta D
epar
tmen
t of E
mpl
oym
ent a
nd E
cono
mic
Dev
elop
men
tED
A -
Econ
omic
Dev
elop
men
t Adm
inist
ratio
nLE
DC
- La
tino
Econ
omic
Dev
elop
men
t Cen
ter
MN
DN
R - M
inne
sota
Dep
artm
ent o
f Nat
ural
Res
ourc
esM
nDO
T - M
inne
sota
Dep
artm
ent o
f Tra
nspo
rtat
ion
MPC
A -
Min
neso
ta P
ollu
tion
Con
trol
Age
ncy
MSU
-M -
Min
neso
ta S
tate
Uni
vers
ity, M
anka
to
RND
C -
Regi
on N
ine
Dev
elop
men
t Com
miss
ion
SBD
C -
Smal
l Bus
ines
s Dev
elop
men
t Cen
ter
SCW
C -
Sout
h C
entr
al W
orkf
orce
Cou
ncil
SHIP
- St
atew
ide
Hea
lth Im
prov
emen
t Par
tner
ship
SHPO
- St
ate
Hist
oric
Pre
serv
atio
n O
ffice
SMIF
- So
uthe
rn M
inne
sota
Initi
ativ
e Fo
unda
tion
U o
f M -
Uni
vers
ity o
f Min
neso
ta
Part
ners
and
Sta
keho
lder
s A
cron
yms
Dev
elop
pla
ns w
ith lo
cal p
artn
ers a
nd h
elp
conn
ect t
hem
with
fund
ing
sour
ces t
hat
will
dev
elop
, exp
and
and
mai
ntai
n ac
tive
tran
spor
tatio
n ne
twor
ks.
MnD
OT,
MN
DN
R an
d G
reat
er M
inne
sota
Re
gion
al P
arks
and
Tra
ils C
omm
issio
n, ci
ties,
coun
ties
Ong
oing
2.35
Incr
ease
the
num
ber o
f loc
al p
lans
conn
ectin
g co
mm
uniti
es to
act
ive
tran
spor
tatio
n fu
nds,
e.g.
act
ive
livin
g pl
ans,
AD
A tr
ansit
ion
plan
s, sa
fe ro
utes
to sc
hool
pla
ns, t
rails
pla
nsC
olle
ct a
nd sh
are
best
man
agem
ent p
ract
ices
ar
ound
hou
sing
proj
ects
, pol
icie
s and
fina
ncin
g.RN
DC
, Min
neso
ta H
ousin
g Fi
nanc
e A
genc
y, M
inne
sota
Hou
sing
Part
ners
hip
Shor
t Ter
m
/ Ong
oing
2.35
Incr
ease
the
num
ber o
f opp
ortu
nitie
s whe
re
com
mun
ities
and
pra
ctiti
oner
s can
shar
e be
st
prac
tices
Enco
urag
e de
velo
pmen
t of t
rans
ition
al a
nd li
fe-
cycl
e ho
usin
g in
rura
l com
mun
ities
. RN
DC
, citi
es, c
ount
ies,
Min
neso
ta H
ousin
g Pa
rtne
rshi
p, S
CW
CSh
ort
Term
/ O
ngoi
ng
2.35
Incr
ease
the
deve
lopm
ent o
f tra
nsiti
onal
and
lif
e cy
cle
hous
ing
in th
e re
gion
Iden
tify
impo
rtan
t fre
ight
rout
es w
hich
serv
e a
supp
lem
enta
ry ro
le to
the
Min
neso
ta tr
unk
high
way
syst
em to
pro
mot
e th
e sa
fe a
nd e
ffici
ent
mov
emen
t of g
oods
.
RND
C, c
ities
, cou
ntie
s loc
al e
cono
mic
de
velo
pers
, maj
or e
mpl
oyer
s, D
EED
, M
inne
sota
Dep
artm
ent o
f Tra
nspo
rtat
ion
Long
Ter
m2.
29Re
duce
the
amou
nt o
f pro
blem
atic
bri
dges
th
roug
hout
the
regi
on
Faci
litat
e an
d ed
ucat
e lo
cal c
omm
uniti
es w
ith b
est
prac
tices
that
illu
stra
te fu
ndin
g op
tions
to u
pdat
e ou
tdat
ed a
nd u
nder
sized
syst
ems.
MPC
A, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, RN
DC
, Lea
gue
of
Min
neso
ta C
ities
, Ass
ocia
tion
of M
inne
sota
C
ount
ies
Ong
oing
2.29
Incr
ease
in fu
ndin
g re
ques
ts a
nd th
e nu
mbe
r of
pro
ject
s im
plem
ente
d
Wor
k w
ith lo
cal l
egisl
ator
s and
the
Stat
e O
ffice
of
Broa
dban
d D
evel
opm
ent t
o pr
ovid
e su
ppor
t for
m
ore
fund
ing
to b
e ap
port
ione
d to
the
stat
e to
im
plem
ent b
road
band
infr
astr
uctu
re a
nd p
lann
ing
in ru
ral M
inne
sota
.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, lo
cal l
egisl
ator
s, D
EED
O
ffice
of B
road
band
Dev
elop
men
tLo
ng T
erm
2.24
Incr
ease
in th
e am
ount
of b
road
band
fund
ing
to th
e st
ate
and
to th
e re
gion
Prom
ote
the
bene
fits o
f hig
h-sp
eed
inte
rnet
in
rura
l Min
neso
ta, s
how
Ret
urn
on In
vest
men
t and
ga
ther
pub
lic in
put a
nd/o
r con
duct
a co
mm
unity
br
oadb
and
feas
ibili
ty st
udy.
RND
C, c
ount
ies,
citie
s, ch
ambe
rs o
f com
mer
ce,
DEE
D O
ffice
of B
road
band
Dev
elop
men
tSh
ort T
erm
2.18
The
amou
nt o
f atte
ndee
s and
supp
ort f
rom
th
e co
mm
unity
and
the
num
ber o
f bro
adba
nd
feas
ibili
ty st
udie
s com
plet
ed
Part
ner w
ith re
pres
enta
tives
of t
he G
over
nor’s
Br
oadb
and
Task
For
ce to
hel
p re
info
rce
the
reco
mm
enda
tions
mad
e to
the
Stat
e an
d en
sure
th
at th
e ch
alle
nges
of b
usin
esse
s, re
siden
ts, a
nd
com
mun
ity a
ncho
r ins
titut
ions
acr
oss R
ND
C a
re
wel
l rep
rese
nted
.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, D
EED
Offi
ce o
f Br
oadb
and
Dev
elop
men
tSh
ort T
erm
2.12
Num
ber o
f inf
orm
ativ
e co
mm
unic
atio
ns
with
the
repr
esen
tativ
es o
f the
Gov
erno
r's
Broa
dban
d Ta
sk F
orce
Wor
k w
ith th
e co
untie
s of:
Blue
Ear
th, B
row
n,
Farib
ault,
Le
Sueu
r, N
icol
let,
Sibl
ey, W
asec
a, a
nd
Wat
onw
an a
nd th
e Bl
andi
n Fo
unda
tion
to e
nsur
e th
at e
ach
of th
e ni
ne co
untie
s in
RND
C b
ecom
e m
embe
rs in
the
Blan
din
Broa
dban
d C
ohor
t.
RND
C, B
land
in F
ound
atio
n, B
lue
Eart
h,
Brow
n, F
arib
ault,
Le
Sueu
r, N
icol
let,
Sibl
ey,
Was
eca
and
Wat
onw
an co
untie
s
Shor
t Ter
m2.
06Bl
ue E
arth
, Bro
wn,
Far
ibau
lt, L
e Su
eur,
Nic
olle
t, Si
bley
, Was
eca
and
Wat
onw
an
beco
me
mem
bers
of t
he B
land
in B
road
band
C
ohor
t
57
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