12 - Clerk's Monthly Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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■ SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges (SWOT) for the area are based on input from community stakeholders (see list in Appendix) and refined based on an economic development focus. Strengths Location and Access • Central location to reach Minnesota market. • Transportation ... rail, air (access to M -SP International Airport via. local airport) and SR 371 access to I -94. General Business Resources • Availability of certified sites and available buildings to support growth. • Telecom good in many portions of the region (but not all). • Access to banking /financial resources. • Available work force (unemployed, underemployed and high work ethic) with relatively low wages. The workforce has a homogeneous culture with no language challenges. • High quality community college with access to selected four -year programs ... on -line four -year degrees also available. • Bridges Career Academies (to build future workforce) ... excellent approach to career awareness and preparation. • Substantial quantities of good quality water • Economic development organization with local government support makes it easy to do business with the region (development process relatively streamlined). • Social capital of the area is reasonably high with access to "movers and shakers" that live here on a part-time basis. Quality of Life ,for attracting talent to the areal • Quality of Life ... variety of housing, K- college education (four school systems), low crime, lots of outdoor options, etc. • Healthcare is exceptional overall and for a community of this size. • Reasonably affordable cost of living ... local Cart of Living Index is 89 vs. 102 in M -SP based on Sperling's Best Places (www.bestplaces.net /). • Outdoor activities ... lots of diversity. Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corporation ■ SWOT Analysis and Action Plan 17