Greater Mankato Growth Inc

Programs: Business growth, retention & attaction to identify and implement strategies and tactics to sustain as well as further enhance the greater mankato region's economic diversity and vitality-led the state in business retention & expansion with 110 growth minnesota! Visits-121 commercial and industrial building projects totaling $83. 6 million in 2017-fulfilled 115 (5+ per month) requests for critical business information-generated 54 (4+ per month) new business development and existing business expansion requests for proposals and submitted 33 proposals-a virtual tours website, moremankato. Com was launched in november with a robust marketing plan supporting it to attract and retain talent as well as visitors-86 conventions and sporting events assisted or confirmed by visit mankato-ccp partnered with the city of north mankato for the belgrade master plan-an estimated total of 24,267 hotel rooms booked-represented the region at the select usa investment summit with deed; secured 3 follow-ups with companies-$12. 5 million estimated economic impact from conventions and sporting events with which visit mankato assisted-the first ever city center marketplace analysis was published and recognized as a best practice; was also distributed by 16 volunteers to 53 city center businesses as part of the ccp business walk program- 45 city center businesses participated in shop small in the city center on small business saturday-worked with australia, brazil and canada's foreign development investment teams on ag-related investment considerationthe economic landscapein 2017, our region continued to experience steady growth that is at the forefront of leading state and national economic indicators. The mankato - north mankato metropolitan statistical area (msa) gained visibility not just from record setting economic growth, but also from numerous high rankings and ratings from national organizations. -25% per capita personal income growth rate - from 2010-2016 - #1 in minnesota-121 new building & renovation projects-$83+ million in total project investments-557+ new jobs in the msa in 2017 from 2016, 57,877 jobs - highest annual average job figure ever for the marketplace-15th in the state of minnesota for the highest percentage of college age residents out of 382 msas-#2 gdp growth rate in the upper midwest-level 1 primary retail trade center-most affordable college town in minnesota-job numbers surpassed all records for the msa and outpaced both the state of mn and u. S. Growth ratesregional business developmentwork is conducted under the organizational structure of the regional economic development alliance (reda). Reda works to sell, promote and raise awareness across the global marketplace of the strategic business advantages available here. Partners include the cities of: eagle lake, lake crystal, mankato, north mankato, saint peter, blue earth county and nicollet county. - first in the state for number of grow minnesota! Visits. There were 110 business retention and expansion visits made to area businesses as part of the state-wide grow minnesota! Program. - 121 commercial and industrial existing business construction projects totaling $83. 6 million (new build, remodel or expansion) were started or completed in the greater mankato marketplace in 2017. - 19 new business building projects were started or completed in the greater mankato regional marketplace totaling $12. 8 million. - online resources continually enhanced to provide information to site selectors and businesses looking at site options for building or expanding across the region. - the pipeline report was updated monthly to benchmark and track business expansion activity in the regional marketplace. The webpage containing the report had 803 visits. -elected and appointed representatives from all jurisdictions of the regional economic development alliance attended the second annual meeting held at gustavus adolphus college in st. Peter-manufacturing industry focus group - convened regional manufacturers for a round table discussion on the state of the region-economic barometer - a quarterly update on performance and important issues from regional businesses-business walks - implemented international economic development council's best practice for business retention and expansion program: volunteers visiting businesses and conducting interviews-city center marketplace analysis - a promotional publication for the msa's urban core, was published and recognized nationally. -attended the investment summit for select usa in washington, d. C. As a partner in the mn deed booth, sharing information about greenseam and greater mankato in june 2017. -115 requests for critical business information compiled requiring research and summation. Information compiled on: gdp, labor shed, per capita income, cost of doing business, retail potential and demographic projections. -hosted and presented information to 3,800+ site selectors across the marketplace. -54 new business development prospects/rfps were generated through top of mind awareness (t. O. M. A. ) with information about our marketplace by greater mankato growth. -33 submitted proposals providing information about our marketplacegreenseam-greenseam has seen a stronger agribusiness impact. Employment impact: 99,112 people which is approximately 28% of total workforce-agriculture is the 3rd highest average income in greenseam ($71,096), trailing only management positions and utilities, both with ag ties. -agribusiness' total value added impact was $10 billion or 34% of total economy-the agriculture industry has the highest strategic advantage in the greenseam with a concentration nearly four times that of the national average (according to the u. S. Census, the greenseam population is 637,926). Visit mankato- 66 conventions and sporting events confirmed for 2017 or future years in mankato. - 65 sporting events received assistance from visit mankato, which is up 103% as compared to 2016- 21 conventions held in mankato in 2017 received assistance from visit mankato, representing $2. 2 million in economic impact. Mankato sports commission- $12. 5 million in estimated economic impact seen through conventions and sporting events visit mankato assisted with in 2017. This is up 35% as compared to 2016city center partnership- the third city center guide provided a resource for visitors and residents to learn about hospitality, arts and culture, shopping and businesses in the city center. - 45 city center businesses participated in shop small in the city center, with a unique passport and raffle drawing hundreds of shoppers to city center businesses for small business saturday. -ccp partnered with the city of north mankato to develop the belgrade avenue master plan-the first city center market place analysis was published in march, providing resources for businesses considering locating in the city center.

talent growth, retention & attraction (of all economies and business sectors) to support the growth, retention and attraction of a skilled/talented workforce to meet the workforce needs of an ever changing and growing economy. -leadership institute graduated 43 students in its 34th class, and now boasts more than 870 alumni-45 greater mankato leadership institute students are enrolled in the 2017-18 program-held 24 greater mankato young professionals events-young professionals program increased its return on value with 2 cohorts of the mentor program that included participation from 64 yps and 8 local business mentors-236 young professionals, representing 115 different businesses were enrolled in the greater mankato young professionals program-more than 250 community and business leaders attended two talent summits organized through the greater mankato growth talent initiative-gmg, inc. Board appointed the first ever executive talent council -launched the greenseam talent exchange in response to the workforce shortage -greenseam has been instrumental in developing, with mn state university, mankato a new class, "ag biz in the modern economy"the gmg talent initiativestarted in 2017 with a talent summit in january and was followed by a second summit in march. Both events were well attended with the first summit seeing more that 160 community and business leaders taking the initiative to learn and work towards developing and retaining talent in the community to address the workforce shortage. Following the summits, an 11-member executive talent council was created to carry forward the initiatives and lead workgroups in the five strategic commitments. Out of the community work came greater mankato jobs (greatermankatojobs. Com), the greenseam talent exchange (greenseam. Org/jobs) and more mankato (moremankato. Com), the first steps to promoting greater mankato for talent attraction. Additional projects started in 2017 included the initial planning of a more robust internship program, as well as workshops for business professionals to share best practices. A part-time consultant was hired to help coordinate all the council's and workgroup's efforts. -greater mankato talent initiative - lead a regional initiative with area businesses focused on the recruitment and retention of employees based on projected workforce shortage numbers. -creation of an executive talent council - engaged the private sector and mobilized five working groups to develop and implement workforce development strategies. -developed and launched greatermankatojobs. Com and greenseam talent exchange - websites that match employers and prospective employees and interns, much like an online dating website. -minnesota state university, mankato listed agriculture as an area of distinction in their master plan and is currently implementing it over the next two to three years. -more mankato marketing campaign (previously referred to as the 'kato x' project) - development of a robust marketing tool to attract and recruit prospective employees, tourists and residents via a virtual tour website, moremankato. Com. -1,727 pageviews of greatermankato. Com/talent-the greater mankato jobs logo was on a volk trailer at the final minnesota vikings training camp held in mankato-250+ community leaders attended two talent summits-5,406 pageviews of greatermankatojobs. Comstrategic commitments-workforce demographics - document & communicate changes in workforce demographics over the next ten years. -workforce talent preparation - promote ongoing talent development & lifelong learning with a focus on high demand skills & jobs in the region-competitive compensation & benefits - research & publish current data on the greater mankato area cost of living relative to the earnings in the upper midwest-innovative recruitment & retention initiatives - identify & promote innovative best practices in recruitment & retention. -public policy - shape public policy encouraging the development of talent. -more mankato - a community-supported website that showcases our region and aims to attract and retain talent by immersing them in 360 degree virtual tours of area amenities and local hot spots. Leadership growthwe are deeply committed to enhancing a talented workforce. From talent development programs such as the greater mankato young professionals and the long-running greater mankato leadership institute - we strive to give employees the opportunities they need to feel comfortable and be successful while being proud of their community. - 43 professionals participated in the 2016-2017 session of the greater mankato leadership institute and 45 are participating in the 2017-2018 session. - the greater mankato leadership institute graduated its 34th class this year, bringing the alumni total to more than 870. Greater mankato leadership institute- 32 mentor lunches were held, where 64 young professionals met with 9 local business mentors. -584 facebook likes- 24 scheduled events were held: 12 professional development, 12 social, (*number doesn't include mentor lunch sessions). -3 volunteer committees: professional development, yp ambassadors & social

regional livabilityto work in concert to advocate for and promote the livability features of the region. -songs on the lawn and alive after 5 continued to see record crowds, drawing a total of 5,500+-the 8th annual mankato marathon was named a 2017 top 20 half marathon and as having one of the most beautiful on-course scenery in the country by the bibrave 100- mankato sports commission and gmg, inc. Launched an initiative to provide support for regional recreation facilities and the extension of the local option sales tax as a "last dollar in" funding mechanism to support the expansion of existing and development of new facilities-in 7 years, the cityart walking sculpture tour has accounted for the display of more than $2 million in public art and the permanent installation of 18 pieces-hockey night in the city center continued to rally fans to celebrate maverick hockey-an additional 3 traffic signal cabinets were transformed with original murals as part of cityart on the go, bringing the total to 22-visit mankato launched gather in the greenseam as a promotional campaign to promote ag in our region during harvest seasongreater mankato growth- convened the talent task force in an effort to engaged and mobilize the broader community in workforce shortage discussions and initiatives. - gmg staff served on more than 50 community boards, committees and civic groups. Visit mankato- mankato marathon celebrated its 8th anniversary and was named 2017 top 20 half marathon and as having one of the most beautiful on-course scenery by the bibrave100-gmg, inc. Played a leading role in securing legislative support for the extension of the local 0. 5% sales tax and continue to advance the recreation facilities development process locally. City center partnership:- $2 million in rotating public art has been displayed in the city center and 18 pieces added to the community's permanent collection through seven years of cityart's walking sculpture tour. - the cityart's on the go initiative has transformed 22 traffic signal cabinets into art. In 2017, three new murals were added through a program partnering youth with professional artist mentors. - on november 15th, the city center partnership announced that city center mankato was designated a minnesota main street community by the preservation alliance of minnesota. The announcement was made at old main village, an excellent example of preservation and adaptive reuse of an historic structure. Livability & business development through eventsmany events were held to help support the vibrancy of the region by all business units. Eventsall greater mankato growth, inc. Events contribute to one or more of our four areas of focus. From networking to golf, from business education to marketing opportunities, we strive to offer opportunities that enhance the region's professionals, businesses and the livability of the marketplace. Greater mankato at the capitol 03/08:more than 125 business and civic leaders promoted our region with key state leaders and legislators during the 2017 greater mankato at the capitol event. Annual meeting 3/09:successes of 2016 and goals for 2017 for greater mankato growth, visit mankato and city center partnership were shared at the annual meeting. The event was held at minnesota state university mankato - centennial student union, with 383 members in attendance. The theme was "the future is now". Tourism week 5/7 - 5/14:visit mankato celebrated national travel & tourism week by recognizing community members who have gone above and beyond for visitors. Category winners included, hotel: emily mailhot, holiday inn express & suites of mankato; attraction: curt van asten, mankato brewery; retail: lori benike, scheels of mankato; and restaurant: christopher & patrick person and natasha o'hara, owners of mankato independent originals restaurants. Cityart installation 5/13:on may 13, city center partnership staff and twin rivers council for the arts staff and cityart volunteers installed 27 sculptures in the core blocks of city center mankato and north mankato for the tour's seventh exhibit of rotating public art. The unveiling was followed by a chance to visit with artists at the downtown kiwanis pancake breakfast and free guided tours for the community. Minnesota senior games 5/18-5/21:for the first time since 2012, the mn senior games returned to mankato. The weekend featured more than 20 sports and approximately 75 events, and nearly 400 athletes. Mn senior games is an event for athletes ages 50+ competing in a variety of sports ranging from archery, bowling, cycling, pickleball, race walking and more. Songs on the lawn 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29:more than 3,500 individuals gathered at civic center plaza to enjoy songs on the lawn. This popular free annual event is held over lunch every thursday in june. Greater mankato on the green 7/10:a total of 153 golfers participated in the annual golf tournament, greater mankato on the green which was held at the mankato golf club. The 2017 closest to the target winner was steve kosburg, 5'3". Vikings training camp 7/23-8/9:the score at the end of the season for minnesota vikings training camp in mankato is 52-0. In its 52nd and final year in mankato, vikings training camp brought an estimated 68,000 people to greater mankato. On average, the economic impact of a single vikings training camp season has been $5 million. Business reception with the mn vikings 8/5:more than 350 attendees from member businesses joined us at the final business reception. The event was designed to welcome the minnesota vikings to greater mankato while giving members a chance to network in a unique setting. We had an overwhelming response from our membership. Alive after 5 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31:more than 2,000 people attended this free annual event hosted by the city center partnership that is held thursdays in august. Attendees enjoyed live music, food and drink from local vendors and an artisan market in a relaxed after-work atmosphere. Prime your business:business showcase was revamped in 2017. Two focus groups worked diligently providing ideas and setting the course for a new, yet similar event with a redesigned focus on business-to-business interactions while increasing attendee engagement. Joining us that day were 50 exhibitors and 300+ attendees from member businesses. Regional economic development alliance - annual meeting 9/27:the second annual meeting was held for the regional economic development alliance at gustavus adolphus college in saint peter. Connie ireland, executive director of the governor's workforce development board was the keynote speaker. Tour of manufacturing 10/5 & 10/7:the seventh annual tour, coordinated by the south central tour of manufacturing partnership provided tours and information about industry and career opportunities to business leaders, students and the general public. The tour was expanded to two days with focuses on students and general populationhockey night in the city center 10/7:city center partnership and minnesota state university, mankato - intercollegiate athletics department hosted a family-friendly pre-game celebration to kick off maverick hockey season. Attendees enjoyed live music, games, refreshments and a mechanical bull! Journeys of leadership 10/9:nearly 100 individuals attended an address by former governor tim pawlenty on the "fourth industrial revolution" at the third annual journeys of leadership. This annual dinner spotlights leading business executives on the national and international stage. Mankato marathon 10/22:visit mankato hosted the eighth mankato marathon in partnership with final stretch. 4,194 runners participated between all of the races including the diaper dash, toddler trot, kids k, my bold walk, 5k, 10k, half marathon, relay marathon and full marathon. Business awards & hall of fame 11/14:businesses and individuals were honored at the annual greater mankato business awards & hall of fame. Dotson iron castings was this year's business hall of fame inductee. Our guest emcees, stacy steinhagen and dion cheney (keyc news anchors), made the evening extra special. Shop small saturday 11/25:once again, the city center partnership celebrated small businesses. This year, 45 businesses participated in the promotion, which drew hundreds of shoppers looking to support locally-owned establishments. Reoccurring events business after hours:business after hours gives professionals an opportunity to discuss and share ideas in a relaxed, social setting while learning about other member businesses. Events are held monthly in the evening at various member businesses. The series was attended by approximately 1,317 professionals in 2017.

business before hours:a complimentary event to business after hours, this event also gives members an opportunity to gather with one another to exchange ideas and promote their business in the morning hours. Events are held monthly at various member businesses. The series was attended by approximately 994 professionals in 2017. Gather in the greenseama promotional campaign running september through october to celebrate the entire spectrum of people, organizations and businesses that make this area the most prosperous agricultural region in the country. The mission of the inaugural year was to increase awareness of greenseam, primarily in the greater mankato area, and then drive visitors to agri-tourism related services and activities as well as other greenseam partners. Visit mankato leads the promotional campaign highlighting the themed weekends as well as all participating partners. Visit mankato secured a new event grant from explore minnesota tourism for this event. The children's museum of southern minnesota was one of 22 partners of the inaugural gather in the greenseam event. They reported record attendance with more than 9,000 visitors to the museum during their month-long harvest festival. It was a successful collaboration with visit mankato to promote all of southern minnesota's happenings around harvest agriculture. -5% increase in hotel average daily rate over previous three-year average-4. 5 million estimated impressions-gatherinthegreenseam. Com had 9,556 website sessionsadvocacy of the marketplace:(both internal and external)to cohesively advocate for the businesses and residents of greater mankato. Public affairs-hosted 7 key issues forum series events-held the third annual journeys of leadership event featuring former governor tim pawlenty-successfully secured legislative passage of the local option sales tax extension-endorsed and actively supported the passage of the operating levy referendum for the mankato area public schools-hosted 125 business and civic leaders at a revamped greater mankato at the capitol-blog posts on key public affairs issues received nearly 3,000 pageviews-a delegation of businesses leaders represented the area for the first time on the minnesota chamber d. C. Fly-in event-called upon numerous times by our elected officials for input on multiple topics at the local, state and federal levelscommunity marketing-cost of living index, accessed more than 1,123 times-city center mankato was recognized as the eighth designated minnesota main street community-328 news articles mentioning gmg, inc. Business units ran in local and state mediathe business units of greater mankato growth, inc. Work tirelessly to advocate for the marketplace and raise the visibility of the region at all levels, including national and international. Efforts in advocacy focus on public affairs as well as community marketing. -gmg continues to strengthen our brand as a go-to organization that is respected and reputable by maintaining a strong presence through interactions with key leaders at the local, state and federal level. Key example of this work includes hosting senator amy klobuchar for a roundtable on agriculture; for the first time sending a delegation of three community leaders on the minnesota chamber-organized washington dc fly-in to meet with key federal leaders; and hosting a lunch with minnesota house of representatives minority leader, representative melissa hortman. -gmg and visit mankato played a leading role in securing legislative support for the extension of the local . 5% sales tax, testifying on several occasions, representing gmg in meetings with legislative leaders, and coordinating grassroots efforts. Gmg also continues to partner with the sports commission to advance the recreation facilities development process locally. -gmg continues to lead the way on advancing highway 14 at the legislature. Gmg initiated a group advocacy effort with the rochester, owatonna, waseca and new ulm chambers to send joint letters to the legislature in support of highway 14; testified in support of highway 14 before the transportation conference committee and house transportation committee; and conducted a live interview with wcco radio. Our efforts paid off with corridors of commerce receiving $400 million in new funding. -gmg played a leading role along with the minnesota chamber of commerce to further strengthen a law protecting businesses targeted by abusive ada lawsuits. -gmg endorsed the mankato area public school's operating levy referendum, playing a key role in helping secure passage. Gmg also ensured that our members and the general public had the information they needed to cast an informed school board ballot by publishing online candidate profiles and questionnaires, which received more than 840 pageviews. -greenseam director, sam ziegler was on the minnesota's ag bioeconomy activities panel along with grow north mn, greater msp and protein highway at the new uses ag innovation forum hosted by agricultural utilization research institute (auri) in march. -facilitated an agribusiness roundtable discussion hosted by the city of fairmont. More than 23 leaders from martin county participated in the business development and talent discussion. -hosted a meeting with agriculture organizations and the coalition of greater minnesota cities, including the city of mankato, to discuss water quality regulations and potential solutions. -assisted surrounding businesses in successfully advocating for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of haefner drive and madison avenue. Events:-more than 125 business and civic leaders promoted our region with key state leaders and legislators during the 2017 greater mankato at the capitol event. -hosted seven events providing opportunities for members to learn about issues impacting their business and engage with key public leaders. Topics included: immigration and economy, health care reform, federal update with representative tim walz, state of the cities (mankato & north mankato)-nearly 100 individuals attended the third annual journeys of leadership with an address by former governor tim pawlenty on the "fourth industrial revolution". This annual dinner spotlights leading business executives on the national and international stage. Community marketing:our region has a great story to tell and gmg, inc. Continually promotes it as a place people want to work, live, visit and where businesses want to locate.