What is Economic Development?
Economic Development creates the conditions for economic growth and improved quality of life by expanding the capacity of individuals, firms, and communities to maximize the use of their talents and skills to support innovation, lower transaction costs, and responsibly produce and trade valuable goods and services.
Economic Development requires effective, collaborative institutions focused on advancing mutual gain for the public and the private sector. Economic Development is essential to ensuring our economic future.
Courtesy: US Economic Development Administration
www.eda.gov
You may have been hearing about the Brain Gain Project and the mission of enticing people to the area to work, live and raise families. Local Economic Development, including the Brain Gain Project is spearheaded by Economic Development Coordinator, Linsey Preuss and the Fairmont Economic Development Authority in collaboration with other organizations. There are other efforts as part of the Chamber’s work and work by other people and organizations that help those who visit or relocate to the see the very best that our community has to offer. While the following may not be the most obvious tasks in the ED arena, they may offer individuals the experience that is considered in their relocation or return.
Businesses that bring career candidates to the area may request a Welcome Basket delivered to the candidate’s hotel. The chamber and HyVee co-sponsor these baskets.
The Martin County Visitor and Relocation Guide containing valuable information is published in print, online and distributed to local business offices, regional visitors centers and mailed by request.
The Chamber maintains a Rental Property Database. The service is open to landlords by calling the office or emailing information to [email protected] .
Martin County publishes and distributes and list of Licensed Daycare options that is available at the Chamber office among other locations.
The Chamber maintains and published a printed and electronic Community Directory that contains utilities information, church directory, schools and other information new residents need to get settled in the community.
Community Education and Recreation aided in the creation of Newcomers and Neighbors. The group meets each 5th Thursday of the month (of which there are 4 annually) to introduce new residents to community organizations, programs and services, individuals and to each other. Like the page by visiting www.facebook.com/fairmontnewcomers .
Businesses and Services Directory of Chamber members is available online at the Chamber’s website. The Convention and Visitors Bureau also maintains and publishes business information online at www.visitfairmontmn.com .
Each fall the Chamber facilitates a Teachers Banquet to welcome new twenty to thirty new teachers, many who are new to the area. Business people are asked to contribute supplies to gift bags for teachers to take with them which introduces them to local businesses and services. Other business people buy their own meals and that of a teacher. They are seated together at the Banquet to so that they know others in the community.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fairmont Area Schools, Community Education and Recreation, the City of Fairmont and Fairmont Area Chamber with funding from Blandin Foundation managed the creation of the Fairmont Area (Martin County) Community Calendar, a one-stop, online location for what’s happening in our communities. It may be found online at www.fairmontareacalendar.com . Event planners and local businesses are invited to register with CER so that they are able to post events. Also, a video about the calendar is available on the Chamber website.
Recently, the City of Fairmont enlisted interns at the University of Minnesota and invited a focus group to begin Housing Feasibility Study to establish the current status and anticipate needs.
These are but a few of the lesser known projects, programs and tasks that support local economic development and feature our unique ability to work collaboratively. If you would like to know more, I would be happy to talk with you.