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Big Sky Economic Development Authority BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Haley Beaudry, Vice Chair Becky Erickson, Leroy Bingham, Dick Brown, Webb Brown, Bill Case, Jerry Driscoll, Ellen Engstedt, George Erickson, Bryan Flake, David Gibson, Lew Grill, Diane Harkins, Verdell Jackson, Wendy Keating, Susan Knedler, Dennis Lerum, Scott Mendenhall, John Musgrove, Chuck Olson, Byron Roberts, Diane Ruff, Jeff Rupp, Gary Willis BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Cristina Boyle, Carol Brooker, Caroline Brown, Susan Christofferson, Vicki Cocchiarella, Bill Crismore, Dick Crofts, Jim Davison, Gail Gray, Cary Hegreberg, Jim Hollenback, Linda McCulloch, Jon Oldenburg, Lyle Phillips, Jim Swan STAFF PRESENT: Desiree Taggart, Emily Haines GUESTS: Robert Henry, Connie Kinsey, Scott Cheney, Roy C. Jones, Deb Cuny, Scott Rickard, Diane Lehm, Tom Frisby, Sheila Matt, Polly LaTray, Leighanne Fogerty, Denise McGivern, Brenda Hipp, Darla Joyner, John Langenheim, Kelly Chapman, Norma Boetel, Carol Donaldson, Arlene Parisot, Sharon Peterson, Linda Beck I. Call to Order - Vice Chair Becky Erickson called the meeting to order at 10:45 AM and roll call was taken. A quorum was established. Joe McClure, Executive Director of Big Sky Economic Development Authority, welcomed board members and gave a presentation of the roles, functions and structure of Big Sky Economic Development Authority. II. Approval of Minutes - Leroy Bingham motioned to approve the minutes from the January 15, 2002 meeting. The motion was seconded. III. Operating Rules: - Chuck Olson explained that the Executive Committee met and discussed the Operating Rules. After review of the rules minor changes were noted George Erickson motioned to approve the Operating Rules with the amendments discussed previously. The motion was seconded. IV. Workforce 20/20 - National Perspective - Scott Cheney, Center for Workforce Preparation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce briefed the board as follows: The program was created in Orlando, FL. Orlando operated the program for three years and involved over a thousand businesses. A demonstration program was established and six areas were chosen in 2001, one being Kalispell. The program goal is to better engage business in leading workforce development in communities. The grant recipients' who are chambers are required to have partnerships with the local workforce operators to be eligible. The Helena Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bozeman, will be participating in the next phase of the program. Helena and Bozeman have completed some training and will begin mock academies. Each chamber will be required to get at least three hundred surveys in the area relating to skills matching and labor availability. If adequate funding is obtained, the Kalispell Chamber would provide in-state support for other Chambers. Approximately $680,000 is needed to expand the program statewide. V. Web Page/Newsletter - Desiree Taggart invited board and audience members to visit the first Governor's Workforce Investment Board website at: http://www.discoveringmontana.com/martz/css/boards/workforce/default.asp. She also explained the Montana Ambassadors newsletter and Main Street Montana newsletter would include information relating to the board and workforce issues beginning with Main Street Montana's Summer 2002 issue and that all board members were now on each of the mailing lists for both publications. VI. Montana Ambassadors - John Langenheim from the Montana Ambassadors explained the following: He stated the Montana Ambassadors group was formed to assist with economic development issues. The Ambassadors currently have 140 members. The group completed labor-based surveys in 1995, 1996 and 2000. The 2000 study showed skilled labor was a top issue for businesses (65 companies were surveyed across state). Other problems included a lack of broadband capability and transportation issues. The ambassadors will complete another labor-based survey in 2002 to provide information to the Legislature in the fall. The survey will cover workforce skill issues. The task force will make suggestions relating to education, based on the survey results. Board members will receive a copy of the survey findings.
VII. Corporation for a Skilled Workforce - Roy Vanderford encouraged the board to take a region-by-region approach in relation to any types of surveys. He explained the importance of looking at workforce development in clusters, which is based on industry being different in different areas. Roy Vanderford also suggested that the board do a "State of the Workforce" report and possibly a "State of the Workforce System" report. VIII. Board Goals/Committee Goals - Chair Haley Beaudry read and asked for comments on each of the Governor's Workforce Investment Board Draft Goals for 2002. He explained three committees have been formed to address the full board's goals and duties. Webb Brown motioned to approve the Governor's Workforce Investment Board Goals for 2002 as amended by the Economic Development and Business Retention Committee at their April 8, 2002 meeting. The motion was seconded and passed. VIII. Committee Reports - Leroy Bingham reported on the Regulatory Committee meeting held on April 3, 2002: He invited the board to view the goals and duties for the committee provided in their packet. Leroy introduced the letter in the packets asking Secretary Chao about Montana's eligibility for the Workforce Investment Acts award incentives. Chair Haley Beaudry will sign and send the letter. The committee will comment on the Workforce Investment Act Annual Plan and the Carl Perkins Annual Report. Leroy explained the committee charged Desiree Taggart with determining whether or not the Governor wishes to have recommendation on how to spend her discretionary funds. Scott Mendenhall reported on the Economic Development and Business Retention Committee meeting held on April 3, 2002: The committee will work extensively with ad hoc members to evaluate some of the issues. They are considering doing some new labor studies based on recommendations from John Kramer, High Plains Development & Port Authority. Because of a need to quantify, very specifically, exactly what Montana has to offer, the committee is attempting to do a labor availability study initially. The committee is also considering doing workforce projections, workforce leakage, cost comparison and employer (survey base industry) studies. Scott noted that Montana is the only state that doesn't have money designated to workforce development. A Tax Increment program is one option being considered. Scott Mendenhall presented summary sheets number 02-01, regarding labor availability studies, and 02-02, regarding expansion of the Workforce 20/20 Program statewide, to the board. Webb Brown motioned for the Economic Development and Business Retention Committee adopt 02-01. The motion was seconded. Dennis Lerum made a motion to pass Option One (1) of 02-02, to support activities of local chambers and identify additional means of support on behalf of the Governor's Workforce Investment Board. The motion was seconded and passed at 1:55 PM. Web Brown declined to vote due to a potential conflict of interest. Desiree Taggart explained the Accountability Committee has not met yet but that their draft goals were included in the packets. IX. Office of Economic Opportunity Update - Dave Gibson briefed the board as follows: The Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity completed a series of formal listening sessions. This included an overview and separation into groups to discuss workforce and technology issues. They are now focusing on completing action plans. Tax changes were recently introduced based on information gathered in listening sessions. The main issues include: Increasing the average income of the state, increase worker productivity, worker skill, training, education and technology. By clustering, it is possible to get a handle on the kinds of industry that will move things in the state. He explained the importance of bringing someone into the state to help focus on non-obvious issues. The information gathered will be used to recruit businesses that support the industry clusters. Dave stressed the importance of forging a link between education, private industry and state government. This means working with the university system, Regents, Governor's Office and private agencies. The Economic Opportunity Office is investigating other state's strategies. One thing that is apparent is that schools have to be interested in the issues that matter to the state. Marketing is not the most important, but rather, the most visible part of workforce development. Dave stated they are planning to do the following activities: clustering studies to find out which industries will help the most, create a Montana magazine, make website changes, team up with workforce development agencies across state, attend large site locator trade shows, and target very large industry. X. Local Workforce Board Chair Reports - Norma Boetel, Chair of the Balance of State, extended her thanks to the board for their efforts regarding the Workforce Investment Act award incentives. She noted that the Balance of State includes a number of One Stop Centers and that they are holding training in May to create more One Stop Centers. Robert Henry, invited board members to attend the Concentrated Employment Program meeting on April 29, 2002 at Fairmont and the joint board's meeting in October in Great Falls. Chair Haley Beaudry extended his congratulations to Ingrid Childress, Workforce Services Division's new Administrator. XI. Public Comment - Chair Haley Beaudry asked for public comment. XII. Adjourn - Chair Haley Beaudry adjourned the meeting at 2:30 P.M. Next Meeting: July 16th in Flathead |
