Chris Giesen

Where:

Chatfield Center for the Arts
405 Main Street South
Chatfield, MN 55923

When:

Starting at 9 AM
August 15, 2018

RSVP by clicking here!

Questions:

Chris Giesen
Vice President
Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA)
507-990-1822
chris.giesen@cedausa.com

More Information:
Through a grant appropriation from DEED, in early 2018 SEMLM and CEDA engaged HR&A Advisors, Inc. to conduct a study to understand the economic growth facing cities and counties in Southeast Minnesota. The Southeast Minnesota Economic Study aims to provide communities in the eight-county region with long-range population, employment, and economic forecasts at the county- and region-wide scales. These forecasts will equip municipalities, counties, and the Region with quality data that can inform long-range planning, guiding important municipal and county decision making for things like investment in new infrastructure and public works, municipal services and schools, land use planning, and strategic downtown planning, in addition to regional considerations about transportation investment and housing growth. With a clearer understanding of the future population and economy of Southeast Minnesota, the Region can work to ensure that this growth is equitable and sustainable, serving all residents and workers.

On Wed., Aug. 15th, HR&A will present its draft report findings, providing an opportunity for city and county officials, administrators, economic development specialists, and regional policy groups to ask questions and provide feedback on the Study before the report is finalized and published. The morning session will be dedicated to an overview of the Study findings and implications. In the afternoon, HR&A and its team at REMI Policy Insight will offer a training focused on the economic development implications of this study and an overview of the REMI economic model. This study uses REMI Policy Insight to model baseline growth and to test the impacts of economic development scenarios in the Region. REMI’s dynamic modeling capability enables it to construct comprehensive forecasts of economic and demographic characteristics; it is an industry standard, frequently used as a simulation tool to help regional policymakers understand the long-term consequences of socioeconomic trends and policy decisions.

Economic Study: Preliminary Findings and Policy Recommendations
Chatfield Center for the Arts
Potter Auditorium
9-11am

REMI Model Training: Economic Development Implications and Software Training
Chatfield Center for the Arts
Potter Auditorium
1-3pm

In 2015, CEDA was awarded a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to study opportunities for regional marketing in southeastern Minnesota in light of the growth projected for the region over the next 10-20+ years. The project brought regional stakeholders together to discuss the region over 6 stakeholder meetings.  Stakeholders discussed opportunities to better collaborate to promote the region and enhance our already high-standard of life.

The information gathered is available below to be utilized as a resource for the betterment of the region and has been shared with other regional organizations for their use on regional marketing efforts.  CEDA Vice President Chris Giesen led the project with asstiance from Community and Business Develpment Specailists Sherry Hines, Ryan Yetzer, and Courtney Bergey, Director of Marketing Joya Stetson, and Director of Training Tom Monson.  A special thanks to Journey to Growth and Destination Medical Center for their support and assistance.

If you haven’t already reviewed the final report, it is available at the link below:

Regional Marketing Study

In 2015, CEDA was awarded a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to study opportunities for regional marketing in southeastern Minnesota in light of the growth projected for the region over the next 10-20+ years.  The project brought regional stakeholders together to discuss the region and opportunities to better collaborate and enhance the region’s already high-standard of life.

As a regional stakeholder yourself, please take a moment to read through the draft report:

SE MN Regional Marketing Report

Listening sessions to provide feedback on the project and report will be held:

Thursday, September 15: 6:30-8:00 PM
Harmony Community Center
225 3rd Ave SW, Harmony

Monday, September 19: 6:30-8:00 PM
Lake City Community Ballroom
205 West Center Street, Lake City

Tuesday, September 20: 6:30-8:00 PM
Dodge Center Community Center
35 East Main Street, Dodge Center

 

At its 2016 annual meeting, held this year at the Branding Iron restaurant in Preston, Minnesota, Preston City Administrator Joe Hoffman announced to the gathering of nearly 100 friends of CEDA that Mayor Kurt Reicks had proclaimed May 13, 2016 “CEDA Day” in the City of Preston.  After presenting the Mayor’s proclamation, Mr. Hoffman told attendees about the projects CEDA worked on for the benefit of Preston including a recently awarded small cities block grant, and awarded the Key to the City of Preston to CEDA President/CEO Ron Zeigler stating “that for 30 years CEDA has been a trusted friend of Preston.”

 

Our 2015 Annual Report is now available by clicking the link below!

CEDA 2015 Annual Report