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Economic Development Commission Minutes <br /> January 17, 2017 <br /> Page 5 of 6 <br /> Sheila Haverkamp reported on a newspaper article media campaign to highlight technology <br /> companies. She further stated that workforce is key conversation in economic development. <br /> There are career professional opportunities available in the lakes area. Students need to be <br /> made aware that their career paths can include our area. <br /> In addition, the Good Life branding for Region 5 communities could be used with the <br /> Spectrum Reach branding. <br /> 9. City of Jenkins Update <br /> Commissioner Lubke reported everything is good in Jenkins. He further stated that branding <br /> should be for the community, not just a specific municipality. The Whitefish Area Lodging <br /> Association(WALA) collects a lodging tax and uses the money to promote tourism in our <br /> area. It may be a good idea to have someone from WALA explain to our group what they <br /> do. <br /> There is a need for rental properties for our workforce. The Brainerd HRA and the Crow <br /> Wing County HRA are looking to improve the housing inventory. Is that something that the <br /> Pequot HRA could help with? Nancy Malecha stated the Pequot Lakes HRA mainly focus <br /> on their housing and are not actively involved in looking at the overall housing in the City. <br /> Chair Jurchen stated Economic Development not only provides jobs,there is a need to <br /> increase the tax base. This group shouldn't be working on this, but the HRA should be <br /> looking to increase housing. Housing is an integral part of where people live. <br /> Nancy Malecha stated housing is included in the Workforce section of Thriving <br /> Communities and the HRA has been included as part of the Task Force. <br /> 10. Other Business <br /> Commissioner Holley reported there are very few homes available in Pequot Lakes. Pequot <br /> Lakes is doing very well as real estate goes; people are not moving away. The inventory <br /> needs to increase. <br /> Commercial calls are increasing. A few commercial activities are being planned; someone is <br /> interested in a teen center. Commissioner Lindholm stated Community Ed needs to be part <br /> of that discussion. <br /> Nancy Malecha reminded the group there is a vacancy on the EDC. If anyone knows <br /> someone who would be interested, have them contact her. <br /> The Commission would like to see Commissioner Holley's report monthly. It can be sent as a <br /> .pdf. <br />