6. EDSR 08-14-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I. Project Background The West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project represents a joint initiative of local economic development leaders and funding partners who are committed to stimulating the economic growth of the West Metro Fringe Minnesota region. The approach is to cultivate an enterprise network-a regional cluster of interrelated businesses-through the development or recruitment of a firm from a new, non-local industry that largely can be supplied by existing businesses. The competitive advantage gained from a collaborative alliance of these companies is expected to generate growth for the region. The Enterprise Network System (ENS) data tool, developed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), was used to produce a list of 57 new, non-local industries as potential targets. Additional criteria were applied to narrow the list to 3i industries. The West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis (ENSA) Project Workgroup ultimately chose four industries for further consideration. The immediate challenge is to select the new industry with the best prospects for success in creating an enterprise network. A further task is to identify two or more firms in the selected industry that could be started, expanded or recruited to the area. In addition, other potential participants must be identified and engaged to facilitate the formation of a collaborative enterprise network. A particular strength of the Project Team is the experience gained from working on two ENSA projects that are currently underway in other Minnesota regions. Discoveries, insights, and lessons learned from these studies can be applied, as appropriate, to the West Metro Fringe Project. II. Technical Approach The Request for Proposals (RFP) invites an approach consisting of secondary research on the six potentially targeted industries, primary research on the six industries, and an industry recommendation with proposed action steps. The Project Team, which will be composed of specialists from Minnesota Technology Inc. (MTI) and Knowledge Based Solutions (KBS), proposes hereto modify that approach for three reasons. First, many forms of primary research are time-consuming and expensive. It is unlikely that useful work could be done within preferred timelines or budget constraints. Second, the combination of secondary research and selective expert interviewing will be powerful enough to enable the selection of a target industry to pursue. Finally, rather than merely proposing next steps after recommending an industry to pursue, the project can bring the ENSA Workgroup closer to actually developing an enterprise network. The Project Team views the modified project as consisting of essentially three tasks: i) Selecting a target industry, Minnesota Technology, Inc, and Knowledge Based Solutions West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Malysis Project Proposal May 24, 2006 Page 1