Minneapolis St Paul Regional Business Plan

Minneapolis St Paul Regional Business Plan

I recently attended a forum on restoring job growth in the Minneapolis St Paul region that was sponsored by The Itasca Project which is an employer led civic alliance focused on building a thriving economy and improved quality of life for the Minneapolis- St. Paul metro region. Some of this work can be found at www.metromsp.org where you can search all available commercial properties that are for sale or for lease. It is a joint public-private
partnership with DEED and MNCAR. MSP has long had a history of stable growth, not boom or bust like some other cities. “Steady success over recent decades renders the region less prepared to deal with data suggesting a pattern of decline. MSP’s growth rates over recent years for productivity, incomes and employment have all trailed national averages.” Venture capital firms and new business start up rankings have also declined. However, for homegrown Fortune 500 businesses, Minnesota ranks at the top.

According to the executive summary, the time is NOW to bring together multiple regional efforts utilizing 6 critical leverage points:

1) Cluster concentration of industries, functions and occupations

2) Develop and deploy human capital for economic growth

3) Develop an infrastructure of innovation and entrepreneurship

4) Increase spatial efficiency

5) Create effective public and civic culture and institutions

6) Develop and deploy information resources

The four main industry clusters include food, health, design and the arts as identified by 4FRONT, a non-profit organization established to identify, attract, nurture and recognize world-class inventors, entrepreneurs and artists.

All businesses start out small in some shape or form. Now is the time to position your business for the 21st century. Taking advantage of a buyer’s real estate market is one way to help your business grow as we see improvement in our economy. Contact us at 952-469-9444, www.cerron.com or email me at rozp@cerron.com to learn more.

Important information regarding electrical equipment and installation for Lakeville MN.

It is very important as a business owner to understand the new codes that Lakeville has put into place regarding electrical for equipment. Please review the link below for the latest code update.

electrical_20110330114953

As a General Contractor for the last 20 plus years APPRO Development has worked closely with the city of Lakeville to make sure our projects meet these general requirements. Please contact Appro for more information.

Winter Recreation in Lakeville

The City of Lakeville does a great job of organizing & posting up coming events. Listed below are some of the outdoor/indoor recreation schedules, maps and up coming events for the month of March.

Cross country ski and snowmobile trails

Lakeville Sno Trackers maintains the cross country ski trails in Ritter Farm Park and snowmobile trails throughout the City. Visit their website for current trail conditions.

For more information, contact Parks & Recreation at (952) 985-4608.

Ritter Farm Park map: Shows both cross country ski and snowmobile trails within the park

Snowmobile map: Shows current snowmobile trails throughout Lakeville

Lakeville Sno Trackers club information

Snowshoe rental

The City of Lakeville has snowshoes available for rent in three sizes:

  • Up to 150 lbs.
  • Up to 200 lbs.
  • Up to 275 lbs.

$3 per pair/per day
3-day minimum on weekends
$75 deposit required per pair

Pick up and return snowshoes at Lakeville City Hall, 20195 Holyoke Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Call Parks & Recreation at (952) 985-4600 to reserve snowshoes or for more information and availability.

Indoor Activities

Adaptive Art: Pottery- Saturday, March 05 2011, 9:30am – 11:00am

Stroke of Genius Pottery- Sunday, March 06 2011, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Storytime Art- Monday, March 07 2011, 9:30am – 11:00am

Art Night Out: Handpainted Ceramic Wine & Dine Tray- Wednesday, March 16 2011, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Adult Dance Class: Foxtrot, Waltz, Nightclub- Friday, March 18 2011

Mini Masters for Homeschooled Students- Friday, March 18 2011, 9:00am – 10:30am

Pottery for Homeschooled Students- Friday, March 18 2011, 10:45am – 12:15pm

Polymer Clay Jewelry- Saturday, March 19 2011, 9:00am – 12:00pm

Triathlon Swim Training- Sunday, March 20 2011, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Lakeville Liquors Wine Academy: Wines of Argentina- Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:00pm-9:00pm

Don’t Waste A Good Crisis!

local government innovation

Now that we finally have an official governor, it’s time to get down to business and address the looming $6 billion deficit, or some would term spending problem our state is facing. Our state revenues are projected to increase 5%, but our spending is projected to go up 23% if you take out the education payment shift. Certainly status quo is not an option. Our legislators need to prioritize their spending and look at delivering services differently. Now is the time for reform to lead our state and nation to the next level. Many feel that reform means more regulation, but I’d argue the exact opposite. We need to focus more on results—the bottom line, the goal. Let the people closest to the problem the freedom to figure it out. Give flexibility and incentives to do the job better. I am currently on a task force that is working on a “Guide to Innovation for Local Governments”. Here is the 5 step process that I think can be applied to anything:

1) Identify the problem (what is the goal?)

2) Determine the measurable outcome

3) Investigate why traditional methods are not working

4) Identify alternative theories or assumptions to address the problem

5) Innovate and redesign

Seems pretty simple, right? It would be if we weren’t creatures of habit and resistant to change. I encourage you to be the change you want yourself to be. Have the courage to look at things differently.

Our legislators do not have an easy job. Most of the items on the table you are not going to like and we will all be affected. However, this change is necessary. Let’s make this an opportunity to do things better by prioritizing government’s role and allowing creativity to innovate.

2010 Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception

Lakeville, Minnesota manufacturers – don’t forget to attend the Manufacturers Appreciation Reception hosted by the City of Lakeville on Tuesday, October 26th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn & Suites. It’s a great opportunity to meet other members of the Lakeville manufacturing community.

You should have received your invitation in the mail last week. If you haven’t sent in your RSVP, please do so or contact Penny Brevig at the City of Lakeville – 952-985-4420 to confirm your attendance.

Contact APPRO Development for all your commercial, industrial, or manufacturing projects. As a design build general contractor, we can help with your new facility, remodel, or expansion plans.

Cool Places to Visit in Minnesota!

Minnesota – Cool Places to Visit!

As the Minnesota State Fair opens their doors this week, we are reminded that the summer season is quickly coming to an end. Many folks are squeezing in one more trip, or having some fun before the brisk winds of fall start to blow – ushering in the cooler season.

If you are new to Minnesota or are a long time resident looking for something new to do around town, here is a list of our Top Ten Cool Places to Visit in Minnesota:

1. Take a trip to Duluth, MN – On your way up, be sure to stop at Tobies in Hinckley which is about half way between the Twin Cities and Duluth, for a famous Caramel Roll and a cup of Joe. Once in Duluth, be sure to try skipping some rocks along the shores of Lake Superior. Stop by the Glensheen Mansion, take a trolley ride to the shops around town or rent a 2-4 person bicycle to tour around Canal Park. Grab an ice-cream cone from Bridgeman’s on the Lakewalk located next to the Fitger’s Courtyard, overlooking Lake Superior.

2. You could head further north and explore the North Shore – Head north along Hwy 61. Stop at Gooseberry Falls to go hiking or visit Split Rock Lighthouse (which just celebrated its 100th year anniversary). Stop in Tofte and spend a night at the Bluefin Bay. Then, head on up to Lutsen and take a ride on the Alpine Slide.

3. Visit Lanesboro, MN – rent a bike, stay at one of the many B&B’s around town, and maybe even plant a smooch on your honey (it is said to be one of the most romantic towns in the our great state!)

4. Get back to nature at its best by camping in the Boundary Waters – Start at Ely, MN and be sure to visit the International Wolf Center and then grab a camping pack, a large bag of yummy GORP (a high energy mix of granola, raisins, peanuts – & M&M’s) and grab a canoe – then, get hiking, get portaging, hug a tree, hug a bear, but for heaven’s sake, leave the iPods and Blackberrys at home!

5. Pack your bags and head to the Brainerd Nisswa Lakes Area. Go fishing or if you prefer, maybe just tell a fish story. When in Nisswa, you can partake in some good old fashioned turtle racing or try for that hole in one on any one of the abundant area golf courses.

6. Visit the Iron Range, MN – Climb aboard a mining truck, trace your roots at the Genealogy Center, tour an underground mine at the incredible Soudan Mine, or try an exciting ATV adventure and view the northern landscape in a whole new way!

7. Calling all Shop-a-holics – We really should be called the Land of 10,000 Shops!! Visit the Mall of America, Grand Avenue Shops in St. Paul, MN, check out 50th and France, find bargains at the Outlet Shops at Albertville or Medford, or stop to check out the shops in our own backyard by visiting the Pink Door Boutique, or check out Turnstyle Consignment store for something a little different.

8. Stick around the Twin Cities, MN, and be a tourist – visit Museums, history center, restaurants, lakes, Renaissance Festival, golf, Minnesota Zoo, Valley Fair, water park, and many, many more places to have some summer fun!

9. And, speaking of “sticking” around – see how many things you can find “on a stick” at the great Minnesota get-together…the Minnesota State Fair which is running from Thursday, August 26 – Monday, September 3, 2010.

10. And, last but certainly not least, our all time favorite place – is our home – Lakeville, Minnesota. Enjoy picking up some flowers and veggies at our local Farmer’s Market, play some Frisbee in one of our many parks, take a cruise on one of our lakes. You could explore a night on the town by taking in a show at the Lakeville Arts Center or visit the upcoming Lakeville Arts Festival. If you want to learn more about the history of our town, you could visit the Visit Lakeville Website for lots of interesting information.

There you have it – our suggestions for fun places to visit around the Land of 10,000 Lakes! We are certain there are many, many more exciting and fascinating locations – but, really – home is always the best place to come back to and for us that is Lakeville, Minnesota!

We have found over the years that Lakeville is a great place to own a business, build a building or lease or buy a great new space – which, by the way, is exactly what we have been doing and helping others to do for more than 23 years! At APPRO Development and CERRON Commercial Properties, we love where we work and what we do! Give us a call – we would love to share more about what makes the Southern Twin Cities, Minnesota a great place to work and play!