Economic Development Task Force Minutes

Monday, November 21, 2011, 3-4:30 pm
Atomic Coffee

Economic Development
Purpose Statement: Supporting entrepreneurship, providing a business roadmap for start-up and expansion of Cass and Clay County food producers and processors, and measuring established outcomes.

Meeting Minutes:
Welcome, introductions and review of previous minutes and purpose statement completed.  No changes.

Bryant Geis and Alyssa Wiegandt, Community Nutrition students at NDSU, presented their findings thus far from interviews with local sellers, producers, consumers, distributors and others about the local food systems.  Their report is attached.  Ideas of additional contacts were discussed.  Bryant and Alyssa are willing to share their presentation at the all task force meeting on January 26th.
Jonathon and Gina handed out information of Vermont’s Farm to plate strategic plan, a model with a focus on economic development.  Website:  http://www.vsjf.org/project-details/5/farm-to-plate-initiative.  We will continue to search for additional models and develop a framework for pursuing the economic goals of this task force.

There was much discussion on gathering current information/data to establish a baseline to identify current strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.  Kim Lipetzky said that the Infrastructure committee is also planning to conduct the same search with very similar indicators.  It was there for decided for the two committees to meet together in December to plan and carry out the data/information gathering.  

Next meeting will be on Monday, December 12th at Atomic Coffee on Broadway in Fargo – in the back room.

Adjourn @ 4:30

Submitted by:
Gina Nolte