6. EDSR 10-08-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 `Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION River To Item Number Economic Development Authority 6. _ Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Regular October 10,2012 Clay Wilfahrt,Assistant Director of Economic Development Item Description Reviewed by Minnesota Manufacturers Week, October 22-28 Annie Deckert, Director of Economic Development Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested None Background/Discussion Manufacturers contribute largely to the employment and economic base of Elk River and the State of Minnesota. Manufacturing accounts for$16.4 billion in wages throughout the state, and$37 billion or 15% of the state's economy. For the past several years, the EDA has given special recognition to Elk River manufacturers during Minnesota Manufacturers Week. This year, staff plans to undertake several new recognition initiatives. Attached is a proclamation approved by the City Council on October 1, 2012,proclaiming the week of October 22—October 28 to be Manufacturers Week in the City of Elk River. On September 18, Elk River cohosted a Manufacturer's Connection event emphasizing education at Glenn Metalcraft in the City of Princeton. Roughly 20 regional manufacturers were in attendance at the event,including J&J Machine, and officials from Elk River High School, Salk Middle School, and ERHS industrial technology instructors. Participants expressed a need for a closer relationship between schools, students, and manufacturers in order to maintain a sufficient workforce. Because of the positive feedback received, staff will continue to partner to hold quarterly manufacturer's events. To begin fostering the relationship between schools and manufacturers, staff will work with them to offer tours of manufacturing facilities to students during Minnesota Manufacturers Week. Students will learn about opportunities in manufacturing and network with manufacturing professionals. Staff has already confirmed that M&M Machine will participate in the tours, and any other businesses offering tours can be found at http://wordpress.tourofmanufacturingmn.com/. Staff is working with the schools to promote the tour to students. EDA Commissioners and the public are encouraged to visit the facility. Open house times will be communicated to the EDA during the meeting. In addition to participating in the tours, staff will recognize Elk River manufacturers' contributions to the local economy and workforce through social media outlets, the city's webpage, and in an ad in the Star PRVEREP IT NATURE