|
August 17, 2012
<br />City of Elk River
<br />13065 Orono Parkway
<br />Elk River, Minnesota 55330
<br />Alinnrsola Inlemilliunul Cenrtn'
<br />IIt !i, II.,,..�.::
<br />-11 6Lal Burr Road
<br />To Whom It May Concern: Ali nnrapoli.v. ,111 iSJS;
<br />Alum, 612
<br />I am writing to thank your city representatives, in particular the staff and administrators in the Fn r: 61_.621.1, 1
<br />Environmental Division, for their ongoing excellence in hosting international visitors it lrlr.,ni"Clabr.,a_
<br />examining the "Energy City" technologies and initiatives in Elk River. CHAIR
<br />Rohm 9 S
<br />I manage a program at the Minnesota International Center (Minneapolis) in which emerging
<br />leaders from around the world are invited to the U.S. for short-term visits as guests of the State
<br />PAST CHAIR
<br />Slow, R. p nprm,
<br />Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. They come on all subjects
<br />TREASURER
<br />(government, education, arts, law, science, etc.) and over the course of three weeks visit
<br />1,,,,, 1' llaan'
<br />various cities to meet with their professional counterparts. We receive more than 500 visitors
<br />DIRECTORS
<br />each year in Minnesota, and arrange their local program based on themes and requests
<br />di till :Ill,rl'I
<br />ur „m'Rr,,ara
<br />provided by the State Department.
<br />C n.e6phrr, liopll
<br />th ll'r(.0110:J
<br />Several times a year, I receive visitors in Minnesota to examine renewable energy and energy
<br />Jr„nne fa,ra (i, rprntrr
<br />Arne Dnrny„ard
<br />security initiatives at the state and local level. Over the last several ears, the City f Elk
<br />y Y
<br />” " "' "1 �ak1 ° "' °'
<br />1'u66(:nirn
<br />River's Environmental Division has been an outstanding resource for these visitors, arranging
<br />T „al (,,l,,,,
<br />personal tours to various sites including he Environmental Learning Center, Elk River
<br />g g
<br />Pegg "Ih.....
<br />:thrhael J. I L)ti
<br />Municipal Utilities Landfill Gas Electric Generating Plant, Haubenschild Fauns, Resource
<br />v„rh,d1 "boh
<br />Processing Plant, and Elk River Energy Recovery Station.
<br />pfhx TW 4,,w
<br />/uhn A ;'ahrrh
<br />Hnn LWbn
<br />Visitors from across the globe, including Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, have
<br />visited Elk River to see first -hand the cutting -edge energy initiatives in your city. The
<br />Jrunrnr Lrrhr
<br />h,dim R},.a l.ra,.
<br />feedback from these visits is categorically enthusiastic, and the State Department continues to
<br />send us energy- focused groups, often specifically because of the "Energy City" tours.
<br />].uun C. .Alen'....„
<br />Jm,hn, nk
<br />P,a A'„AII PI,IY1,1.
<br />Specific feedback has been effusive, such as: "The visitors were totally thrilled by our
<br />.ilandr Rrrhrlba, Ill, -
<br />Arahieen.smah Poddand
<br />program today in Elk River."; and "Vance Zehringer was the perfect guide for these site visits,
<br />G„,'Sanx"havrm
<br />as he has spent his whole career in energy conservation and alternative energy. He took
<br />Rend, S7rnhrrr
<br />R;.,,,b'r„
<br />enormous pride in Elk River as "Energy City” and was also genuinely interested in the
<br />kw.i. Tlaann,
<br />visitor's perceptions and in his work in Cambodia. All -in -all it was a memorable day, nd the
<br />Y,
<br />1f,rhrHen
<br />visitor really appreciated getting out into a more rural area and the hands -on attention."
<br />Grrrt HrnA' ILu u
<br />b,h,l Lade
<br />b m,a ,,d Twill
<br />Clearly, the hospitality and professional expertise that has been shared with these emerging
<br />a,,Pvlu a uraa r1,,:1a 1,41"
<br />o,ln,.,an If t11,h
<br />international energy leaders has made Elk River a highly sought -after destination. We hope
<br />Ja..u, H. Iflaa
<br />that these exchanges are seen as mutually beneficial, and that they not only bring international
<br />Ex OFFICIO DIRECTORS
<br />attention to Elk River, but allow your local representatives to also understand energy practices
<br />qn„ twen Mir,'
<br />and policies elsewhere in the world,
<br />c „atirr1,,,,
<br />unrr;,, in I, (,Iil•1,
<br />G t"d Gowl"I ul G nndn
<br />The IVLP program is based on "citizen diplomacy ", and your city has been an exemplary
<br />Xilnn (hvn nrdn 4ndrudr
<br />can <IdGenrrrdoter „ado,
<br />model of this philosophy. We appreciate the hospitality you have extended to these visitors in
<br />HONORARY DIRECTORS
<br />recent years, and hope that we can continue this partnership well into the future.
<br />Sill d,1
<br />Gan' Cnprn
<br />Sincerely,
<br />771dma., Gda,al
<br />141, (it Ear
<br />Chada, It,,, t”,
<br />Ruh 11, (so,
<br />Emil crone blvrir
<br />Daniel Getahun
<br />Aal)iom, V.
<br />International Visitor Leadership Program Manager
<br />PRESIDENT
<br />Minnesota International Center
<br />Tel: 612.625.6159 (direct)
<br />Email: d1_'etdhun rruoln.edu
<br />
|