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<br /> humbo.com,a$12 million,50-person Greater Minnesota." ' is a win-win strat- though,argues Jacobs of Genesis Business
<br /> online software retailer,is generating a lot of egy;'Knutson says." metro area head- Centers."I'm tired of Boston and Silicon
<br /> buzz.Across the river,St.Paul is starting to quarter companies can continue to expand, Valley venture capital firms tapping our peo-
<br /> feel the benefits of Lawson Software,a$270- Greater Minnesota is strengthened with ple;'he says."Once they get their fingers into
<br /> million,1,700-employee firm which is mov- diverse industry,and Minnesota retains its them,our people wind up on one of the
<br /> ing into new headquarters downtown. best companies." r coasts.We need to take more action.Like
<br /> St.Paul's Lowertown area has Cyber Funded 67 percent by the State of developing a strong,cohesive,statewide pro-
<br /> Village,so called because of its growing Minnesota,24 percent by the federal govern gram for growing business along the lines of
<br /> number of Internet-based companies.Phil ment and 9 percent by ether sources, Pennsylvania's Technology 21 Initiative"—
<br /> Platt,who does the marketing for Agiliti- Minnesota Technology;Inc.has taken an Pennsylvania Gov.Tom Ridge's comprehen-
<br /> gofast.net,a 60-employee application service assertive role with emerging high-tech com sive,industry-led strategy that has catapult-
<br /> integrator and business-to-business Internet panes."Our original charter was helping ed the state into the top 10 for high-tech
<br /> service provider,says roughly 40 Internet- Minnesota businessesccess and apply tech businesses.
<br /> based companies have set up shop in the nology within their manufacturing systems' "While we certainly don't have to recover
<br /> area.Startups are encouraged to join and are says Jon Freeland,its manufacturing special from the loss of a major industry like steel,it
<br /> supported by Agiliti-gofast.net,which rents ist."We came to realize that if other elemen. would be prudent if our state would provide
<br /> one-and two-room Internet Office Suites of a business aren't in place,applying and more investment seed capital for Minnesota
<br /> for$400 per month. leveraging new technology in a business businesses;'Jacobs says.For Pennsylvania's
<br /> "The Lowertown area was originally built won't make much of difference.Today,we 1999-2000 budget,Gov.Ridge proposed
<br /> by railroad baron James J.Hill,a pioneer tend to take a holistic approach to business more than$35 million for technology tax
<br /> who connected people and places;'Platt es,helping them look at all of their needs cuts and$228.5 million in state and federal
<br /> says."I think it's really interesting that more and matching them to the appropriate investments in technology,e-commerce and
<br /> than 100 years later,this space is being used resources:' biotechnology
<br /> by pioneering companies using the Internet Freeland used to run a company that "Regardless of whether a particular indus-
<br /> e°nnect people all over the world:' made parts for construction equipment,and try sector or a geographic area is hot;'says
<br /> �In downtown St.Paul,Jacobs of Genesis says that many of the people who work for Feltl of RJ Steichen,"the smart money will
<br /> Business Centers has joined with Randy and Minnesota Technology"have walked in the always be invested in management,people
<br /> Todd Geller,owners of the Victory Capital same shoes as the people we're helping:' and market potential:'
<br /> Corp.,and John Bergstrom,president of Minnesota Rural Partners,which has an
<br /> Riverpoint Investments,to launch the St. annual operating budget of$137,000,gener
<br /> Paul Business Development Center,an incu- ates connections between government agen Dan Carr,The Collaborative:
<br /> bator for software and Internet companies. cies,legislators,investors and companies.In 612-338-3828
<br /> It's aiming to attract more companies like its August the organization held its second Bill Hodgden,City of Sebeka:
<br /> first tenant,Net Briefings.com,a five-person annual Rural Summit,which brought 218-837-5773
<br /> start-up that offers real-time audio and together this diverse group of interests to John Feltl, RJ Steichen: 612-341-6200
<br /> video conferencing via the Internet. network and discuss technology. Jon Freeland, Minnesota Technology Inc.:
<br /> "The growth of Internet companies is "A strong rural economy is vital to the 612-991-5599
<br /> undeniable;'says Dan Carr,president of The state's long-term health;'says Marcie Harlan Jacobs,Genesis Business Centers:
<br /> Collaborative,a 750-member Minneapolis- McLaughlin,director."By identifying barn- 612-782-8576
<br /> based network of entrepreneurs,investors ers and impediments and bringing people Roger Jensen,Anoka County Economic
<br /> and advisers."More organizations are taking together to discuss those challenges,we're Development Partnership: 612-786-0869
<br /> advantage of the capabilities the Internet creating phenomenal changes:' Diane Knutson, Department of Trade and
<br /> offers:' "Communication is crucial;'agrees Carr Economic Development: 651-296-4236
<br /> of The Collaborative."We try to help com- Rick Krueger, Key Tech:651-688-1000
<br /> The glue that binds panies learn from one another by facilitatin: Jack LaVoy, I RRRB:800-765-5043
<br /> Behind all this activity is a network of networking and encouraging them to sh. : Marcie McLaughlin, Minnesota Rural
<br /> economic development agencies and other their experiences.When they do that,the Partners:320-255-3834
<br /> groups helping businesses connect with learning curve goes right off the charts,an. Mike McNamara,Soft Center Duluth:
<br /> resources and each other.Notable players that helps feed growth:' 218-727-9309; 800-652-5524
<br /> dude the DIED,Minnesota Technology One of Minnesota's strengths,say Carr Tom Meskan, Medical Alley:
<br /> c.and the Rural Development and others,is its rich tradition of building 612-542-3077
<br /> Commission. companies."It's unique to our state and it Steve Mercil, MIN-Corp.: 612-672-3403
<br /> The DTED helps companies grow by will put us ahead of other states for a long Phil Platt,Agiliti/gofast.net:
<br /> finding opportunities for expansion in time Carr says.More could be done, 612-918-2022
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<br /> Ventures November 1999
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