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| Post Number: 11
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Daisy Duke 
Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,12:24 pm |
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Because we are not direct route for much we need to somehow become the middle man in projects, or something like that.
I don't know just a thought.
I'm gonna think more...boy the wheels are already grinding can anyone smell that?? I'm just mess'n?! 
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Life is too short, SO play naked 
The supreme reality of our time is the extreme vulnerability of our planet.......JFK
Naughty, Naughty Kool-Aid............comedian Dane Cook!!
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| Post Number: 12
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,1:08 pm |
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| Quote | | To Quote the Dell Commercial " Your Not The Boss Of Me" Attitude is alive and well. |
Does anyone know where that saying came from, or was used? I've heard so many (younger) people say it--it is almost universal. It's not good English, so I would think it must be a movie line. I've even tried looking it up on the net, without results.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 13
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Daisy Duke
Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,1:35 pm |
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I heard it on a Friends episode.
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Life is too short, SO play naked
The supreme reality of our time is the extreme vulnerability of our planet.......JFK
Naughty, Naughty Kool-Aid............comedian Dane Cook!!
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| Post Number: 14
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,1:46 pm |
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I still don't agree that not being on a direct line between any two assumed points precludes industrial development. Daisy Duke had it right--if we aren't east and aren't west--we must be in the middle of somewhere!
Being ON a main rail line or truck route is of little or no importance--PROXIMITY is of SOME importance. As previously mentioned, even our major export from the County--agricultural products--are within 1 days trucking of major rail hubs and the Port of Duluth. Sioux Falls and St. Cloud are even FARTHER from major rail terminals or Ports, and it hasn't hurt them.
Proximity to major AIR HUBS is important for "just-in-time" deliveries--Cities like Louisville and Memphis have attracted major plants and warehouses because of their proximity to UPS and FEDEX hubs. Albert Lea used to have flights out of here for UPS--but they reconfigured their schedule into Minneapolis, and are now able to drive it up. If you ship by 6 p.m., you can still make overnight delivery--so from that standpoint, we have just as good air schedule as Minneapolis--not true in the days of steam trains. The only time Minneapolis would have an advantage is if it were important enough to ship "counter-to-counter"--buying a seat on a regularly scheduled flight for same day service. The proximity to a seaport, like Duluth, is important if shipping bulky or large shipments--again, we are less than a day's trucking from Duluth.
Don't think of being on a line from Minnepolis to Omaha--with globalization--China is able to compete with manufactured goods as cheap (not value-added) as textiles and tennis shoes, and Brazil--not on the way to ANYWHERE--is able to compete in items as bulky and low-cost as grain. Patagonian Beef--from the "uttermost end of the world"--is sold worldwide.
Advocate makes mention of the new economic model. Without seeing their business plan, but with some knowledge of Owatonna politics--it seems to be to GROW FROM WITHIN. Several examples:
The INCUBATOR BUILDING has been a real success story there. Many of these companies consciously strive to bring INTO the community goods or services that had previously been OUTSOURCED by businesses in the community.
One of the best examples of industrial development was Ted Ringhoffer. Ted died several years ago, but his efforts are still being felt. Ted was tireless, perhaps buoyed by the fact that he would "go to coffee" 5 or 6 different places every morning--keeping his ear to the ground for problems and opportunities. If he heard of impending layoffs at one company, he might use that as an opportunity to make it better--for example--paint shop outsourcing at Mustang led to creation of a larger paint shop (and more jobs) at Wenger. Ted would also go from business to business, asking each one "what would it take to add one more (or 5 more) jobs in your business? Sometimes, he could be of help. When was the last time that anyone from the (multiple) development agencies in Freeborn County made those kinds of calls? One hundred extra jobs a year for 10 years would FAR EXCEED the efforts to "lure" a major manufacturer to the local area during the LAST 10 years.
Finally--Truth--I totally agree that moderate growth is better that explosive growth. I lived in Houston during the oil boom--and part of the subsequent bust. As a pilot, I visit a lot of metro areas--all over the continent--and I'm always glad to get back here. I've turned down a lot of offers to fly out of Minnepolis. Most of my family lives there--I tell them that's no way to live. I choose to live here.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 15
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Truth
Group: Members
Posts: 552
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,2:01 pm |
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Absolutely, growth from within could work here. It would require alot of effort from some very dedicated individuals. My point is just that. Our growth will never hinge on outside corporations developing facilities here. We don't offer a good location.
I do not see the addition of more unskilled labor industries as a good prospect though. Sustained and substantial growth will require more than a Fed Ex or UPS. Those are terrific companies but, something like major manufacturing equipment or a large computer component manufacturer would more desirable.
Ford did not come here as was the case with many other major companies. There are so many factors at work here. I simply pointed out that our location is not ideal. I see it as ahurdle not an end all problem.
Another major factor is our image and curb apppeal. Bad situation here.
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The best weapon against an enemy is another enemy.
Nietzsche
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| Post Number: 16
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,2:30 pm |
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It sounds like we agree that growth will not come from outside corporations--unless it is businesses that locate here to serve a (hopefully) increasing population--food outlets, stores, etc.
The strip Mall is a good sign--if the potential players are as Maddog posted, that is a mix of new stores and some existing ones. If it extracts new money from the Interstates--that's a good sign. If it extracts money from existing business in town, that's a "zero-sum" game--no net increase.
A specialty distribution center like Ford would have to be located somewhat centrally in its market area. Do you suppose anyone ever followed up on those 62 presentations to find out WHY they didn't locate here? We can't fix a problem by ignoring it--putting on a happy face won't mask an underlying problem.
I don't think the chances are good of "luring" any major manufacturer to the area. Most towns our size have an industrial promoter on the payroll--and all are vying for manufacturing jobs--but most of those jobs are not high-paying jobs, and in this day and age, even "high-tech" jobs like computer manufacturing have a short lifespan due to foreign competition, industry consolodation, and technological obsolescence. NAME ALL OF THE MAJOR MANUFACTURING PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN "LURED" TO ANY OUTSTATE MINNESOTA CITY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. Major plant--lets say, 300 or more jobs. Can't name any? How about 200? 100? I can't think of any--though there may be one.
The major change I'd like to see for local area promotion is to TRY promoting from within. Nearly every employee from within every company has an idea for a new product or service. Nearly every company has something that they buy or outsource to another community. The EASIEST sale is to STOP sending work out of our community, and bring it back. Nearly ANY company can add an employee if the conditions are right--the job of an industrial promoter should be to help meet those conditions. (If a company CAN'T add an employee, or is about to start laying off employee's, THAT is the concern of an industrial promoter as well).
"Image and curb appeal". Specifics? What would you do?
I don't mean for this to be just Truth and me--I'd like to hear from a [i]number of people on their opinion on Industrial Development--perhaps the most all-pervasive subject on the board.[/i] Ideas?
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 17
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Nose for News
Group: Members
Posts: 431
Joined: Feb. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,4:04 pm |
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Growing our own?/ We can't keep what we had !
Since businesses can now be located anywhere with high tech maybe we should get Enderes corporate offices back to Albert Lea.
I believe the owner was/is on the Greater Jobs Board.
Do you think it's difficult to tell other companies to locate here when it wasn't good enough to keep your own headquarters here?
Heck we now have a new school and our hockey and wrestling program have improved. Please give Pam and Paul a call we'll put you in a JOBZ.
Enderes Tool Company, Inc.
14925 Energy Way
Apple Valley, MN 55124
The Tribune's colorful salute to Christmas
By Ed Shannon, Tribune feature writer Dec 24 2002
Just prior to 1916, Ernst Enderes was a German immigrant who started a blacksmith shop in Littleport, Iowa, (This tiny town is located somewhat between Elkader and Guttenberg in Clayton County.) Enderes started to make tools and one of his area dealers was the Albert Lea Machinery Co. And it was this firm which persuaded the Iowa blacksmith and toolmaker to expand, relocate, and build a new factory in Albert Lea.
Thank you Albert Lea Machinery Co.
I understand moves sometimes are necessary to stay in business, but the Owatonna Companies believe in and reinvest in the community that gave them their success.
Do our business leaders show that quality?
And if they don't why would they want to be on boards that promote jobs when they moved jobs out?
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DISCLAIMER
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Nose for News Is Pleased To Announce That We Have Absolutely No Affiliation Whatsoever With The Albert Lea Tribune Or Its Parent, Boone Publishing.
Like Other Minnesota/Iowa Residents, We Simply Endure Them.
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| Post Number: 18
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 27 2004,4:27 pm |
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Doesn't Paul Sparks think that 26 years is enough?
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| Post Number: 19
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Daisy Duke
Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Posted on: Mar. 28 2004,12:55 am |
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Apparently Paul Sparks supports himself cause the people who put up the billboard sign are remaining anonymous. I guess I would too if I was that big of an idiot!!!
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Life is too short, SO play naked
The supreme reality of our time is the extreme vulnerability of our planet.......JFK
Naughty, Naughty Kool-Aid............comedian Dane Cook!!
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| Post Number: 20
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minnow
Group: Members
Posts: 2243
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 28 2004,2:01 pm |
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I'm going to rent the billboards next month. My message will be sweet and simple. "Doesn't Paul Sparks think 26 years is enough?"
Seriously though, we have violation here. It's against the law to give out gifts to public officials and those arse kissing billboards are definatly a gift... to Sparks ego. LOL 
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