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BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL BLAEDC director talks about technology hub j BrainerdDispatch.com I Brainerd, Minnesota Page I of 2 <br />`-' 131) M1,1111)1)ISP 1111 <br />BRAINERD CITE' COUNCIL BLAEDC director talks about technology hub <br />Posted, <br />-staft Writer <br />Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corp. Director Sheila Haverkamp on Monday briefed the Brainerd City Council on economic <br />development activity, marketing efforts and 'hopefully some good news into the future." <br />Haverkamp said new endeavors by BLAEDC included the Executive Initiative, made up of several people from successful companies who have <br />retired in the Brainerd area. Haverkamp said several people with expertise in economic development want to work with BLAEDC on bringing <br />business opportunities to the area. The group first met in August. <br />Haverkamp said BLAEDC sees technology companies, like a data center, as a targeted market. She said BLAEDC is showcasing the area's <br />fiberoptic network and low cost electricity. <br />"I'm happy to report we have a prospect that we're optimistic about that will be visiting our community later this month," Haverkamp said. <br />The goal, she added, is to brand the Brainerd area as a technology hub for central Minnesota. <br />Other areas BLAEDC has been working on are through social media with ad groups to targeted markets and in reaching out to site selectors for <br />various industries. <br />Council member Bonnie Cumberland said she liked what Haverkamp was saying because it represented things that are happening, not just being <br />worked on. <br />'I find that terribly exciting,' Cumberland said. <br />Council President Mary Koep asked Haverkamp what the city council could do to be more engaged in BLAEDC and for BLAEDC to be more <br />engaged in the city. Haverkamp said communication was the key. <br />09 <br />