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