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A Greater Mankato Delegation was gathered to represent a diverse mix of community stakeholders from Mankato, North Mankato, Eagle Lake and area cities across Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties - bringing a regional marketplace perspective to this initiative. One of the goals of this Inter-City Leadership Visit is to strengthen the bonds between diverse leaders who must excel in collaboration for the advancement of
the region.
DETAILS
Key Take-Aways to apply in Greater Mankato:
Many Key Take-Aways were identified from the wrap-up session and delegate surveys completed after the trip. Here are a few of the main ideas collected and placed in the key performance areas of Envision 2020 (in no particular order):
Community Planning/Regional Governance
“Think global, work local”, “Have a next generation focus”, “Build on your assets”
- Merge comprehensive plans/goals/maps of all government, business and non-profits
- Public and private support
- Land use map linked to comprehensive plans
- Collaboration, pooling of resources, volunteerism
- Smart Leadership Council
- Create a filter for governance—how will it affect youngest child?
- Organize a Book or Film Festival
- Conduct Community Asset Mapping
- Agriculture-tourism/wineries
- Partner existing wineries and producers with post-secondary institutions
- Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation: small agri-business opportunities
- Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing
- Limestone and natural resources
- Famous people from Mankato: Marian Anderson, Betsy Tacy/Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Create a Large Visitor Center to cover history of town and tourism
- Continue work on City Center vitality
- Create a Family friendly atmosphere (ice rink, movie theaters, etc.)
- Expand pedestrian traffic (possible locations: Atrium to VWC, Old Town, N. Mankato-Belgrade, City Center Hotel to old Justice Center, S. Front St. area)
- Zoning changes and tax incentives to bring in variety of businesses
- Focus on residential/affordable housing
- University presence downtown
- Town Square (amphitheater)
- Don’t forget about other parts of the community too (not all resources can go to the City Center)
- Collaborate as much as we can (“If you can’t work together, you can’t work separately” Tim Hulbert)
Economic Development
- Continue to retain and attract a diverse group of businesses and talent. (Charlottesville had very little manufacturing and higher hospitality jobs.)
- Develop a Business Academy: partner with SCC’s Center for Business and GMG for leadership, sales and marketing
- Develop deeper connections with post-secondary institutions; esp. on entrepreneurism, new business startups and engaging new talent (internships)
- MSU work with U of M/MNSCU on IP issues and work with GMED to create support system (commercialize)
- Grant/funding opportunities
- Develop more Enterprise Roundtables (like the Renewable Energy Supply Chain Dev. Group)
Education
- Improve the town/gown relationship
- Community conversations/forums to be proactive with university initiatives
- Increase faculty and student community engagement
- UVA has a student handbook for student orientation to the community
- Make early learning a community wide initiative (churches, tutors from parents, high school, college mentors, teaching programs, etc.)
- Make the Children’s Museum happen
- Build a more connected university culture/legacy
- Alumni Center
- Develop an international student residence hall downtown
- High school/college mentoring program for the underprivileged
- Engage all 5 Higher Eds in:
- A Research Park
- A Agricultural Center of Excellence (donation of land)
- A Technology Zone (link it to tenure credit, expedited permitting, etc.)
- Adult Learning Academy: partnership of SCC’s Center for Business and VINE/Senior Center
Health & Human Services
- Provide daycare for all birth-5 year olds (0.5% sales tax increase)
- Ongoing discussion/book study on Gordan Walker’s work (Jefferson Area Board for Aging)
- Prepare for an aging population-livable communities for all ages.
Livability
- Affordable/Life-cycle housing incorporates social interaction and diverse audiences
- Grant opportunities and funding strategies
- Corporate support—workforce
- Senior health and fitness
- Higher Ed. meet with Neighborhood Associations
- Develop a performing arts center and other community centers/attractions (in Charlottesville, these were privately funded; i.e. ice rink, pavilion, etc.)
Transportation
- Regional Passenger Rail Line
- Brand the buses—MSU
- Effective signage to direct people
- Increase Biking
- Assigned a Bicycle Friendly Town on the U.S. Bicycle Route System (Adventure Cycling Assoc.)
- Shared lanes (Portland bike specialist)
Agenda
A three-day agenda was organized to help Greater Mankato delegates learn some best practice ideas that will help us advance select Envision 2020 goals. Particular emphasis was placed on three areas ready for mobilization: Economic Development, Talent Development, and Collaborative Partnerships between Government or Non-Profits. Some other topics were woven through the agenda, including: transportation, city center renaissance, community facilities, stainability, and livability aspects.
| Sunday, November 6 |
6:00 am |
Board buses in Mankato
(park in GMG lot at 1961 Premier Drive) |
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6:30 am |
Depart for MSP |
Breakfast provided by:  |
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10:15 am |
Depart on Delta Flight #1764
Travel Details/Regulations
(beverages and snacks available on plane)
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1:41 pm |
Arrive at Washington D.C. Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA) |
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2:15 pm |
Depart by bus for Charlottesville, VA
(boxed lunch) |
sponsored by:
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5:00 pm |
"Welcome to Albemarle County"
Bus Tour Guides:
Lee Catlin, Assistant to the County Executive for Community & Business Partnerships, Albemarle County
Wayne Cilimberg, Director of Planning, Albemarle County |
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6:30 pm |
Check in to hotel
Boar's Head Inn |
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7:30 pm |
Dinner
Boar's Head Inn, Pavilion 3 |
sponsored by:
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8:00 pm |
Introduction & Welcome
Jonathan Zierdt, Greater Mankato Growth
Tim Hulbert, President, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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8:10 pm |
"Regional Economic Development in Greater Charlottesville"
Facilitated by Jim Santori, The Free Press
Presenters:
Tim O'Brien, Vice President, Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development
Tom Foley, Albemarle County Executive
Maurice Jones, City Manager
Tim Hulbert, President, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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9:00-11:00 pm |
Hospitality Suite
Hearth Room |
sponsored by:
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| Monday, November 7 |
7:30 am |
Breakfast
Original Ballroom |
sponsored by:
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8:10 am |
"Ready for School, Ready for Life, and Ready for Careers: Early Childhood & K-12 Education"
Facilitated by Laura Bowman, Greater Mankato Area United Way and Cindy Amoroso, Mankato Public Schools
Panelists:
Cathy Train, President, United Way--Thomas Jefferson Area
Robert Pianta, Chair, Smart Beginnings
Gertrude Ivory, Associate Superintendent, Charlottesville Public Schools
Dr. Pamela Moran, Superintendent, Albemarle Public Schools |
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9:00 am |
Depart for University of Virginia (UVA) |
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9:30 am |
Tour UVA Rotunda |
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10:00 am |
"Charlottesville's Town/Gown Relationship"
Presenter:
Bob Sweeney, Vice President, Development & Public Affairs, UVA |
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10:45 am |
Depart for Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) |
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11:15 am |
"Education and Business: Partners in Talent Development"
Presenter:
Dr. Frank Friedman, President, Piedmont Virginia Community College |
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11:45 am |
Depart for Michie Tavern |
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12:00 pm |
Lunch
Michie Tavern |
sponsored by:
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12:30 pm |
"Downtown Revitalization: 30 Years of Progress"
Presenters:
Dave Norris, Mayor, Charlottesville
Jim Tolbert, Director, Neighborhood Development Services, City of Charlottesville
Bob Stroh, Co-Chair, Downtown Business Association |
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1:30 pm |
Depart for downtown Charlottesville |
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2:00 pm |
Walking Tours of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall
Tour Guides:
Bob Stroh, Co-Chair, Downtown Business Association
Mary Joy Scala, Preservation and Planner, City of Charlottesville
Chris Engel, Assistant Director, Department of Economic Development, City of Charlottesville
Brian Haluska, Neighborhood Planner, City of Charlottesville |
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3:15 pm |
Board buses |
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3:30 pm |
City of Charlottesville Bus Tour
Tour Guides:
Chris Engel, Assistant Director, Department of Economic Development, City of Charlottesville
Missy Creasy, Planning Manager, City of Charlottesville |
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4:30 pm |
Arrive at hotel |
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5:10 pm |
Depart for King Family Vineyards |
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5:30 pm |
Thank-You Charlottesville Reception
King Family Vineyards |
sponsored by:
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7:00 pm |
Dinner - "Taste of Virginia"
King Family Vineyards |
sponsored by:
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7:30 pm |
"Building Local and Global Advantage: Being the Driver not the Passenger"
Presenter:
Dr. Suzanne Morse, President, Civic Change |
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9:00-11:00 pm |
Return to hotel or experience downtown Charlottesville |
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| Tuesday, November 8 |
7:30 am |
Breakfast
Boar's Head in Original Ballroom |
sponsored by:
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8:15 am |
"Many Plans, One Community"
Presenter:
Steve Williams, Director, Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commision
HUD Sustainability Grant |
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9:00 am |
Break/Move to Break-Out Session |
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9:15 am |
Simultaneous Break-Out Sessions
(Delegates have chosen preferred session) |
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Break-Out 1:
"Livable Communities for All Ages"
Senior Center, Inc.
Presenters:
Gordon Walker, Director, Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA)
Lilian Peake, Director, Thomas Jefferson Health District, Virginia Department of Health
Stu Armstrong, Executive Director, Piedmont Housing Alliance
Peter Thompson, Executive Director, Senior Center, Inc. |
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Break-Out 2:
"Developing and Supporting Entrepreneurs"
Boar's Head Tack Room
Presenters:
Sharon Krueger, Innovation Partnerships Coordinator, Office of the Vice President for Research, UVA
Philippe Sommer, Director, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, Darden School of Business, UVA
Lianne Landers, Entrepreneurship Coordinator, Office of the Vice President for Research, UVA |
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Break-Out 3:
"Charlottesville: A Destination Community"
Boar's Head Coach Room
Presenters:
Kurt Burkhart, President, Charlottesville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jody Kielbasa, Director, Virginia Film Festival
Nancy Damon, Program Director, Festival of the Book
Susan Stimart, Economic Development Facilitator, Albemarle County
Barbara Hutchinson, Executive Director, Charlottesville Albemarle Airport |
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Break-Out 4:
"Engaging in Public Policy"
Presenters:
Neil Williamson, Director, Free Enterprise Forum
Tim Hulbert, President, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce |
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10:20 am |
Check out of hotel |
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11:00 am |
Depart for Monticello |
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11:30 am |
"Inspiration through the Context of History"
Monticello |
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1:30 pm |
Lunch |
sponsored by:
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1:45 pm |
Wrap-Up Session: "Inspiration...Ideas...Implementation"
Facilitated by: Diana Gabriel, Certified Professional Coach and Jonathan Zierdt, Greater Mankato Growth |
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3:00 pm |
Depart for DCA
Stopping at Greene Community Center |
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6:00 pm |
Arrive at DCA |
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8:05 pm |
Depart on Delta Flight #1463 |
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10:00 am |
Arrive at MSP |
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10:30 pm |
Depart for Mankato |
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12:00 am |
Arrive in Mankato |
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Why we chose Charlottesville...
- similar demographics to Greater Mankato MSA
- rural feel, big city appeal
- similar proximity to larger metro (Richmond, VA, and Washington D.C.)
- numerous community awards and accolades that attest to the livability factors to which we aspire
- regional economic development partnerships
- similar industry profile with largest employers in Education and Healthcare
- talent development and retention is a high priority with many town/gown partnerships
- examples of city and county collaborations and non-profit partnerships
- a revitalized downtown with a strong arts/cultural component
- focus on wellness and sustainability
- community facilities that have public/private relationships
Highlights from the planning visit:
Charlottesville's Downtown Pedestrian Mall, which was established 30 years ago, has proven very successful. Their City Planners and Downtown Business Association will be giving us a walking tour!
This nine block strip boasts over 120 retail shops, 30 restaurants, theaters, an ice rink, a concert Pavilion, and upper loft living options.
Charlottesville has a strong commitment to education, from early childhood and K-12, to higher education, to a lifelong learning institute. We'll visit their children's museum, the Virginia Discovery Museum, located in their downtown.
Delegates will tour the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1825. We will be greeted by a university representative and learn more about Jefferson's philosophy of lifelong learning.
The city of Charlottesville is committed to remaining a bike-friendly city. One of the focuses of our visit will be transit, including the local airport, bus services, and bike trails.
Thank you, 2011 ICLV Planning Committee:
Laura Bowman, Greater Mankato United Way
Diana Gabriel, Professional Life Coach
Eric Oleson, Oleson & Hobbie Architects
David Naples, Leonard, Street & Deinard
Jim Santori, The Free Press Media
Todd Snell, Snell Motors
Keith Stover, South Central College
Chad Surprenant, I&S Group
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