WHAT ’S HAPPENING…
W
orkforce Development
continues to be a high
priority for the VHEDC.
Our Workforce Advisory Committee
is comprised of a variety of industry
partners and community stakeholders.
We continue to form new strategic
partnerships to leverage opportunities.
VHEDC and White Bear Lake Area
Schools continue to partner through
the Gen Z Skills and Careers in
Manufacturing Pathway, which provides
exposure to manufacturing careers to
area high school students.
Community Building Events continue
to be a focus of the VHEDC. Events
such as the NE Metro Community
Business Expo, NE Metro Job Fair, NE
Metro Women’s Fair provide multiple
opportunities for businesses to connect
with the community in ways that grow
economic vitality for the Northeast
Metro region. Calendar of events:
vhedc.com/calendar.
New Developments: VHEDC partners
with the City to assist with community
development projects. In December
2017, Twin Cities Orthopedics opened
a new 20,000 square feet facility, and
the Davis Group broke ground on a
new 19,000 square feet medical clinic;
the main tenant will be a HealthEast
Clinic. In early 2018, site approvals were
completed for a new Midwest ENT
facility
EDAM 2017 Partnership Award:
The VHEDC received the 2017
Economic Development Association
of Minnesota Partnership Award at
EDAM’s 2018 Winter Conference, held
mid-January. The award is presented
annually to recognize true cooperation,
collaboration and creativity to achieve
successful economic development
projects or initiatives. This award is
granted to an individual, entity or
organization that understands true
success is achieved through building
and maintaining relationships and
partnerships.
VHEDC received this award on behalf of
the partners of the Gen Z Connections:
Careers and Skills in Manufacturing
project which provided paid, hands-on
learning in manufacturing businesses
in the areas. VHEDC Executive Director
Ling Becker stated upon receiving the
award, “We accept this award proudly
on behalf of our partners. Without them,
this project would not exist. Du Fresne
Manufacturing, Mold Craft, SCHWING
America and The Specialty Mfg. Co. are
to be commended for their commitment
to build a future workforce. In addition,
there were other essential partners as
well, including: White Bear Lake School
District, Ramsey County, HIRED and
the White Bear Lake Area Education
Foundation. This award truly represents
what it means to be a community.”
The City of Vadnais Heights proclaimed October 6, 2017 “Manufacturing Day.” In 2016, there
were 48 manufacturing companies in the City, paying an average annual wage of $81,642.
Ling Becker Named Member of The
(Real) Power 50: VHEDC Executive
Director Becker and fellow members of
the 2018 (Real) Power 50 will be honored
at an awards gala April 26 at the
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. For more
information, visit: minnesotabusiness.
com/real-power-50-2018.
The Minnesota Business magazine’s
members of The (Real) Power 50 are
described as “The linchpins in their
company. The connectors in their
industry. The heart of the operation.
The people who make things happen.
They are the remarkable players in the
Minnesota business community with a
knack for getting things done — and
being helpful along the way.”
Top/Best Workplaces in 2017: Vadnais
Heights’ companies IC System and
Reell Precision Manufacturing were
recognized as Top Workplaces in 2017
by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The
Specialty Mfg. Co. of White Bear
Township was named to the publisher’s
list of the 150 Best Workplaces in
Minnesota; additionally, the company
was ranked #1 in overall benefits.
Top/Best Workplaces recognizes
the most progressive companies in
Minnesota through
employee opinions.
To complete the
statewide survey,
WorkplaceDynamics
collected responses from
over 69,000 employees at
2,000 public, private and
nonprofit organizations in Minnesota.
Midwest ENT Specialists, received approvals from the City to be constructed along Arcade
Street in southwest quadrant of I-35E/County Road E interchange.
vhedc.com
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