4.2.
Economic Development Authority (EDA)
- Meeting Date:
- 10/08/2015
- Submitted For:
- Patrick Brama
- By:
- Patrick Brama, Administrative Services
Title:
Consider Support of Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce Manufacturer's Coalition
Purpose/Background:
The City of Ramsey is a member of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.anokaareachamber.com/). The Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce has a rich history of success in catering to the needs of retail, food, and professional service industries. The Chamber specializes in events, marketing, and networking.
A few years back, the Chamber identified the need to better serve the large "manufacturing" sector physically located in the Chamber's service territory. Commonly, the Chamber's standard "events/ marketing/ networking" opportunities do not provide significant value to manufacturers.
With this in mind, the Chamber began a new "sub-group" known as the "Manufacturer's Coalition" about two years ago. Here is a link to their website: http://www.anokaareachambermanufacture.com/). The mission of the Manufacturer's Coalition is to: become a catalyst for strengthening community manufacturing; accelerating transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation, job creation and economic growth.
In summary, the Manufacture's Coalition is a group of leaders from local manufacturers that meet periodically to discuss/ address issues unique to their industry (they create the topic list). In some cases, meetings are purely the exchange of best practices/ discussion led by the Chamber... and in some cases, the Manufacture's Coalition asks the Chamber to implement develop a service/ product to help the group. In 2015-2016, the #1 topic the Manufacturer's Coalition would like to address is workforce.
Although the Chamber does receive some funding for the Manufacturers Coalition via subscriptions from manufacturing businesses, this new initiative needs financial support to get up and running. The purpose of this case is to consider supporting the Manufacturers' Coalition by donating $5,000. These dollars would be utilized for "facilitation/ operation" expenses related to the Manufactures' Coalition (meetings/ website/ communications/ etc.).
A few years back, the Chamber identified the need to better serve the large "manufacturing" sector physically located in the Chamber's service territory. Commonly, the Chamber's standard "events/ marketing/ networking" opportunities do not provide significant value to manufacturers.
With this in mind, the Chamber began a new "sub-group" known as the "Manufacturer's Coalition" about two years ago. Here is a link to their website: http://www.anokaareachambermanufacture.com/). The mission of the Manufacturer's Coalition is to: become a catalyst for strengthening community manufacturing; accelerating transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation, job creation and economic growth.
In summary, the Manufacture's Coalition is a group of leaders from local manufacturers that meet periodically to discuss/ address issues unique to their industry (they create the topic list). In some cases, meetings are purely the exchange of best practices/ discussion led by the Chamber... and in some cases, the Manufacture's Coalition asks the Chamber to implement develop a service/ product to help the group. In 2015-2016, the #1 topic the Manufacturer's Coalition would like to address is workforce.
Although the Chamber does receive some funding for the Manufacturers Coalition via subscriptions from manufacturing businesses, this new initiative needs financial support to get up and running. The purpose of this case is to consider supporting the Manufacturers' Coalition by donating $5,000. These dollars would be utilized for "facilitation/ operation" expenses related to the Manufactures' Coalition (meetings/ website/ communications/ etc.).
Notification:
NA
Observations/Alternatives:
NA
Funding Source:
EDA Fund (2015-2016 sponsorship)
Recommendation:
Based on input from various Ramsey manufacturers over the past 18 months, workforce shortages is the #1 issue facing Ramsey businesses. This issue is seemingly getting worse with each passing quarter.
With the above issue in mind, Staff connected with a few local organizations to "check-in" on what's being done/see if they are experiencing the same issue. As a result of that process, Staff was made aware of the Anoka Area Chamber Manufacturers' Coalition--and their #1 priority of addressing workforce. NOTE: Staff received a consistent message from our neighboring Cities (that workforce is a major issue for manufacturers).
Considering Ramsey's limited internal resources (Staff time) to address a large issue such as workforce, and the fact that workforce is not a Ramsey problem only (it is regional), the Manufacturers' Coalition provides the City an opportunity to get involved.
With the above issue in mind, Staff connected with a few local organizations to "check-in" on what's being done/see if they are experiencing the same issue. As a result of that process, Staff was made aware of the Anoka Area Chamber Manufacturers' Coalition--and their #1 priority of addressing workforce. NOTE: Staff received a consistent message from our neighboring Cities (that workforce is a major issue for manufacturers).
Considering Ramsey's limited internal resources (Staff time) to address a large issue such as workforce, and the fact that workforce is not a Ramsey problem only (it is regional), the Manufacturers' Coalition provides the City an opportunity to get involved.
Action:
Consider supporting the Anoka Area Chamber Manufacturers Coalition with a $5,000 donation from the Ramsey EDA.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Ulrich | Kurt Ulrich | 10/05/2015 02:10 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Patrick Brama
- Started On:
- 10/05/2015 09:53 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 10/05/2015