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Q: So where are the offices for Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. going to be located? |
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A: Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. will continue to operate from the two locations each of its predecessor organizations leased (the second floor of The Depot, 122 South Riverfront Drive, Mankato and Technology Plus, 1961 Premier Drive, Suite 100, Mankato), and, with lease agreements through January 2009, we expect this current arrangement to remain as is. Integration of business operations, such as the phone system, are being undertaken this week with other efficiencies being addressed in the coming weeks.
There likely will be some rearranging of where particular staff are located in order to accommodate the addition of new staff as well as to leverage synergy between staff and services and align folks closest to primary activities. Every effort will be taken as we integrate the operation to be sure services previously experienced at either of the locations previously will be available at both going forward. |
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Q: If Chamber of Commerce is no longer in the name won’t we be losing an important “identity”? |
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A: Across the country we are seeing an increasing combination of chambers, economic and community development organizations. Chambers have long been the communities “go to” source for information and direction within the community and for those accessing the community from outside serving as the communities “front door”. Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. will still be all of that and more. Folks doing a “Google” search for Mankato Chamber, or looking in the phone book for the Chamber will continue to find us there, and locate us as they always have.
Other “identity” creating activities such as supporting the vitality and development of our businesses – small, medium, and large – are already part of our services They are not being discontinued but rather will be enhanced further through our commitment to driving business transactions through our Trade & Traffic work, and the inclusion of the Business Accelerator services. And of course, such storied hallmarks as the Ambassadors and Cavaliers will remain a vital staple of our work.
As Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. begins to catch its stride our community will appreciate the fact that services will remain the same; with the combination of staff and resources the organization will be able to deliver even more tangible and greater results. |
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Q: What's a summary of the new work for the combined organization? |
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A: Establishing Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. as a high performing business and community development organization is critically important as we head into our marketplace's future. It is important we target resources, existing and new, into activities that will bring about the future we collectively desire, particularly as we emerge in the next decade as Minnesota's newest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Integration of the organization into one efficient and effective single organization requires us to undertake significant “retooling”…this will take time. We'll need to address our products, services, tools, and relationships with our members and collaborators to be sure all are effective, efficient, and have clarity. |
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Q: What about staffing for this new business and community development organization? |
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A: To accomplish such a robust and worthwhile agenda requires us to mobilize our existing staff in new roles, hire additional talent, and engage volunteers in new capacities. We have worked with our talented staff to appoint each of them to refined positions that fit their strengths and will propagate the continuation and enhancement of the services we provide to businesses and the community's development.
In the coming weeks and months we'll be working on adding the additional people needed to deliver on the expanded vision and results-oriented work plan. The recent hire of a New Business Development Director is the first of four positions we intend to add. We are currently interviewing for the Vice President of Community Development, which we expect to follow with a new Talent Initiatives Director and Community Development Initiatives & Advocacy Specialist. |
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Q: How will membership and dues be structured with the recent combination of the two organizations? |
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A: All current members of the Chamber and investors in GMEDC will carry full membership status within the new organization through the duration of their individual investment. During the fiscal year 2008 members/investors should expect no change in the current dues structure. During fiscal year 2008 we will research successful models and engage members in dialogue to craft a single membership structure that is fair and equitable to all members. The new schedule will be approved by the Board of Directors during 2008 for implementation in 2009. |
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