6. EDSR 08-14-2006ITEM # 6.
vex
~ ; ~ ~ L ~ • ~ : ~_~ , iii ~ ~ i
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic DevelopmentC/~
DATE: August 14, 2006
SUBJECT: Consider Contribution toward Metro Fringe Enterprise
Networks Systems Analysis
Attachment
• July 10, 2006 Staff xepoxt to the EDA xe: Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems
Analysis
Background
Last month the EDA heard an overview of the Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems
Analysis (ENSA) project sponsored by the MN Dept of Employment & Economic
Development (DEED) and the Initiative Foundation and as described in the attached staff
xepoxt dated July 10, 2006.
Issue
The Metro Fringe group received a proposal fox project management services to complete
comprehensive research on a selected set of potential targeted manufacturing industries fox
the Wright and Sherburne County region. Following is a breakdown of the project cost:
Cost of Research Services: $10 000
Proposed Funding * -funds committed
Initiative Foundation Grant: $ 7,500
Wright County: $ 1,250
Sherburne County: $ 1,250
Big Lake up to $500
Sherburne County up to $500
Elk River request up to $500
Consider Contribution toward Metro Fringe ENSA
August 14, 2006 EDA Mee[ing
Page 2 of 2
Last month the Elk River EDA was asked to consider making a $500 contribution toward
the project Since the EDA had several questions about the project, staff arranged to have
Sandy Voigt, Program Manager fox Technology Finance from the Initiative Foundation
provide the EDA a brief presentation and answer questions about the ENSA project.
Action Requested
Following the brief presentation and opportunity fox questions and answers, staff
recommends the EDA consider making a matching financial contribution up to $500 toward
the Metro Fringe ENSA project.
S:\EDA\ENSA project\8.14.06 eda.ENSA project.doc
ITEM # 5.
rover
MEMORANDUM
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development
DATE: July 10, 2006
SUBJECT: Consider Contribution Toward Metro Fringe Enterprise
Network Systems Analysis (ENSA)
Attachments
ENSA Presentation to Sherburne County Economic Development Alliance
(SCEDA), June 28, 2006
Minnesota Technology & Inowledge Based Solutions Proposal, May 24, 2006
Background
Since last August, City staff has hosted three Metro Fringe ENSA group meetings at Elk
Rivet City Hall. The attached PowexPoint presentation provides the following information
regarding the ENSA project:
• ENSA is a new tool sponsored by the MN Dept. of Employment & Economic
Development and the Initiative Foundation for using industry statistics in Economic
Development.
• There are four ENSA regions. One region is the "Metro Fringe" region, which
includes Elk River.
• The Metro Fringe group has completed preliminary work toward the project and has
begun making financial contributions.
Issue
The Metro Fringe group generated a Request Fox Proposals in May fox project management
services for comprehensive research on a selected set of potential targeted manufacturing
industries. The group received the attached joint proposal from Minnesota Technology and
Knowledge Based Solutions. The Initiative Foundation has verbally offered to contribute a
$7,500 grant toward the cost of the $10,000 proposal. The Metro Fringe group is hoping to
raise the remaining $2,500 ($1,250 from Wright County and $1,250 from Sherburne County).
Consider Contribution Towazd Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Sys[ems Analysis (ENSA)
July 10, 200G EDA Meetlng
Page 2 of 2
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the EDA consider a contribution of $500 to be taken from its 2006
marketing budget toward utilizing the services of Minnesota Technology and Knowledge
Based Solutions to complete the comprehensive research on the selected set of potential
targeted manufacturing industries as part of the Metro Fringe ENSA project.
NextSten
Once the remaining $2,500 is raised and the $7,500 Initiative Foundation giant is approved,
the Metro Fringe group will meet with Minnesota Technology and Knowledge Based
Solutions and authorize them to begin work on the project.
Enterprise Network
System Analysis
Presenrotl ro:
BCEDA
June 28, 2006
Initiative Fauntlation
Santly Voigt
Enterprise Network System
Analysis
.Anew tool for using
industry statistics in
Economic Development
^ Provides information to
expand business
opportunities in greater
Minnesota
^ Duluth/Superior Study
l
Economic Development and
ENSA
^ Enterprise Network
System Analysis
^ provides
information to
expand business
opportunities
in Greater
Minnesota
economic
communities
i ~
~'
it
e"/ t..y.ex
t;
i ._.~~.
Enterprise Network System
Analysis
^ First, identify what manufacturers are
located in the service area
^ Then, ask what other industry sectors
could be served by these same
manufacturers
^ Finally, new industry opportunities are
identified for local businesses
Four Central Minnesota Regions
^ Initiative Foundation partnered with DEED to
expand the possibilities of ENSA and
implementation
^ Four regions were identif ed in Central
Minnesota based on manufacturing
concentrations
^ North Central, East Central, Metro Fringe,
Benton-Steams
^ Initiative Foundation convened initial meetings
and identifed committee chair
.-
G o-'~ i
Analysis for Metro Fringe
~~ • Buffalo Big Lake
i ~- ~ .Delano Beckar
• Elk River Monticello
/-~~~,,, . Inclutles all
_ In the region...
F~ -~<~ ;
` _.
Metro Fringe Region
Sherbuma end Wdgnl Counties
Steering Committee formetl of local EDA's, county end tity reps,
antl selected intlustry raps
Taryete0 industries itlanfified; priorities itlentifietl
Further analysis contlugetl to seleQ top prospects
Reaauesl for Proposal deveiopetl antl sent to itlentifietl cronsultants
by W right County and contributing $1,250
City of Big Lake has agreed to aU as fiscal agent fa the proleh and
will ba submitting grant rapuast to IniAedve Fountlation for $7,500.00
City of Big take has agreetl to contribute $500.0010 project cast
Consultant seleQetl wiN kick~aff meeting planned far mid July
Metro Fringe Region
. Criteria chosen to narrow 57 potential industries
to 31
^ Existing supply of relevant workers
^ Highest percent of local mfg. inputs
^ Industry prospects for future growth
^ Highest wages nationwide
^ Job growth nationwide
^ Wage growth nationwide
^ firm growth nationwide
Metro Fringe
Selected Potential Industries
Software Reproducing
Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment
Mfg.
Ceramic Wall & Floor Tile Manufacturing
Brick & Structural Clay Tile Manufacturing
Welding & Soldering Equipment
Manufacturing
Elevator 8 Moving Stairway Manufacturing
Kitchen Utensil, Pot, & Pan Manufacturing
3
Benefits
• Each Region identifietl the goal of the process
^ Start, expand, or recruit at least 2 businesses in the area (one in
Sherburne County antl one in Wright County), creating at least
15 jobs in each location, using the ENSA oats tool as a means to
taryet industries that make the bell economical sense for the
region.
. Guide conversation with manufacturers during
Business/Re[ention visits
. Discuss InpuUOutput information and business priorities
• Identify "At-Risk" Industries
. Assist with supplier development opportunities
Economic Development Trends
• Malyze what yw wmently have
. Assess what you are good at
• Iden[i/y and locate existing resources
• Pursue complefing Ne resource package
Lessons Learnetl:
• $$$'s neetletl tarimplementation
• Collabore4on is rndcalfm implementation
o Ciry of Elk FtirwJiostlrg mee0iys
o Wright COUiayRFP wwk antl conMbule,t:$'s
o Ciry of Big Lake-fiscal host antl roMdbute $S's
o Sheroume Cwnly-????
• Oata sources are continually tlefinetl
Q~es
~~~ ' ~
Initiative rFoan~ation
San6y Norgt
320.631.2012
4
WEST METRO FRINGE
ENTERPRISE NETWORK
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS PROJECT
A PROPOSAL
May 24, 2006
Submitted jointly by:
Minnesota Technology, Inc.
ul Third Avenue South, Suite 120
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 373-2900
~~~crow. minnesotatechnolo~-. org
and
Knowledge Based Solutions
5537 Tenth Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 619-3902
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PROJECT BACKGROUND ..............................................1
II. TECHNICAL APPROACH .............................................1
A. PHASE ONE: INDUSTRYOVERVIEWSANDPOTENTL9LSUPPLIERANALYSES
.................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Industry Overviews ............................................................................................. 2
2. Potential Supplier Analyses ............................................................................... 3
3. Target Industry Selection .................................................................................. 4
B. PH,9SETW0: ENTERPRISENETWORxFEASIBILITYASSESSMEN'l' .............. 4
C. PHASE THREE: ENTERPRISE NETWORKACTIONPLAN .................................. 5
D. A FLEXIBLE TECHNICALAPPROACH .................................................................. 6
E. DELIVERABLES ........................................................................................................ 6
F. RF,SEARCHMETHODS ............................................................................................ 6
G. WoRxPL,4N ............................................................................................................ 7
III. STAFFING PLAN ............................................................ 7
IV. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES ......................... 8
V. COST PROPOSAL .............................................................. 9
CVs OF PROPOSED PERSONNEL ..................ANNEX
I. Project Background
The West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project represents a
joint initiative of local economic development leaders and funding partners who are
committed to stimulating the economic growth of the West Metro Fringe Minnesota
region. The approach is to cultivate an enterprise network-a regional cluster of
interrelated businesses-through the development or recruitment of a firm from a
new, non-local industry that largely can be supplied by existing businesses. The
competitive advantage gained from a collaborative alliance of these companies is
expected to generate growth for the region.
The Enterprise Network System (ENS) data tool, developed by the Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), was used to
produce a list of 57 new, non-local industries as potential targets. Additional criteria
were applied to narrow the list to 3i industries. The West Metro Fringe Enterprise
Network Systems Analysis (ENSA) Project Workgroup ultimately chose four
industries for further consideration.
The immediate challenge is to select the new industry with the best prospects for
success in creating an enterprise network. A further task is to identify two or more
firms in the selected industry that could be started, expanded or recruited to the
area. In addition, other potential participants must be identified and engaged to
facilitate the formation of a collaborative enterprise network.
A particular strength of the Project Team is the experience gained from working on
two ENSA projects that are currently underway in other Minnesota regions.
Discoveries, insights, and lessons learned from these studies can be applied, as
appropriate, to the West Metro Fringe Project.
II. Technical Approach
The Request for Proposals (RFP) invites an approach consisting of secondary
research on the six potentially targeted industries, primary research on the six
industries, and an industry recommendation with proposed action steps.
The Project Team, which will be composed of specialists from Minnesota
Technology Inc. (MTI) and Knowledge Based Solutions (KBS), proposes hereto
modify that approach for three reasons. First, many forms of primary research are
time-consuming and expensive. It is unlikely that useful work could be done within
preferred timelines or budget constraints. Second, the combination of secondary
research and selective expert interviewing will be powerful enough to enable the
selection of a target industry to pursue. Finally, rather than merely proposing next
steps after recommending an industry to pursue, the project can bring the ENSA
Workgroup closer to actually developing an enterprise network.
The Project Team views the modified project as consisting of essentially three tasks:
i) Selecting a target industry,
Minnesota Technology, Inc, and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Malysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 1
2) Creating target company profiles for the types of company that would serve as
initial focal points for an enterprise networks, and
3) Designing an action plan for adding the profile-type companies to the region
and to begin developing the enterprise network.
The Project Team proposes athree-phase project to help the ENSA Project
Workgroup accomplish these tasks:
• Phase One: Industry Overviews and Potential Supplier Analyses
• Phase Two: Enterprise Network Feasibility Assessment
• Phase Three: Enterprise Network Action Plan
Each of these tasks is addressed in detail below.
A. Phase One: Industry Overviews and Potential SuppiierAnalyses
The proposed outcome of Phase One is the selection of the target industry with the
greatest likelihood of success. Extensive work already has been completed using the
ENS tool and a variety of national and local data sources to narrow the list of
potentially targeted industries to six. This process has relied on economic data
analysis and local economic development knowledge.
Selecting a target industry involves blending two perspectives. The industry should
be a "good bet" in terms of its prospects for future success and it should be a "good
fit" in relation to the West Metro Fringe region.
i. Industry Overviews
The Project Team proposes to employ secondary research methods and selected
expert interviews to produce industry overviews of the six potentially targeted
industries in Phase One. Industry overviews will be used to evaluate the extent to
which the industry is a "good bet" and to support the target company profiling work
that will follow in Phase Two. Industry overviews will address the following items:
• Products and Apulications. Except for dry pasta manufacturing
and prefabricated metal building manufacturing, the potentially
targeted industries produce a fairly diverse range of products.
Products in all the industries have many applications. Understanding
the mix of products and applications in an industry will be helpful in
deciding what type of company to attempt to introduce to the region.
• End-use Industries. Given the mix of products and applications in
a potentially targeted industry, the next step will be to identify primary
end-use industries. National input-output data from the Bureau of
Economic Analysis will be helpful here, but will be complemented with
industry sources to incorporate perspective.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Protect Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 2
• Market Demand. The national market will be reviewed for each of
the targeted industries to assess market size, trends, and the outlook
for the future.
• Competitive Dynamics. The competitive environment of each
industry will be surveyed. This will include identifying the major
competitors and their place within the industry. The team will also
assess the role of offshore competition.
• Barriers to Entrv. The ease of market entry for a new company in
the industry will be considered from a broad perspective. This
information will be useful in evaluating the options of attracting an
existing company versus developing a new business in the region.
• Issues and Indicators. The research will highlight the issues
relevant to deciding which industry to pursue by flagging opportunities
and threats. Each industry will receive a "good bet" assessment based
on the industry overview.
2. Potential Supplier Analyses
Industry overviews are expected to provide knowledge useful for selecting "good bet"
industries to target. However, a "good bet" industry that is not also a "good fit" will
not be a good choice. Based on experience gained from other ENSA projects, the
Project Team has developed a specialized method of supplier analysis to address
"good fit" issues in Phase One.
This method builds upon the enterprise network system analysis work that already
has been done and extends it to assess:
• the number and size of potential suppliers by supplying industry;
• the volume of sales a new firm might create for suppliers by industry;
and
• the location of the potential suppliers in relation to regional
boundaries.
These considerations are important in assessing the benefit that a potential target
industry could actually bring to the region.
The Project Team will conduct a supplier analysis for each of the four potential target
industries based on lists of potential suppliers in the region and beyond developed by
Cameron Macht of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic
Development. These suppliers will be entered into a Microsoft Access database
designed to facilitate the analysis. In addition, the database will make it convenient
to view or print out brief profile information on each potential supplier including
contact information, number of employees, and business and industry descriptions.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Frtnge Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 3
3. Target Industry Selection
The preceding work will be used to produce an overall evaluation of attractiveness
for each potentially targeted industry. The Project Team will use this evaluation as
the basis from which to make a recommendation of a target industry for further
development.
The recommendation will address the goal of adding at least two businesses to the
region-one in Sherburne County and one in Wright County. Opportunities will be
noted for identifying complementary and cooperative suppliers rather than
competitive ones.
The industry overviews, supplier analyses, potential supplier profiles, and evaluative
assessments will be presented to the ENSA Workgroup at a presentation meeting to
support decision-making. The intention is that the ENSA Workgroup will choose
one industry to pursue as the project moves into Phase Two.
B. Phase Two: Enterprise Network Feasibility Assessment
It should be noted that the selection of a target industry is not sufficient to define the
types of companies to target. As will be shown in the results of Phase One, there can
be numerous product and market opportunities within a selected industry. The
proposed outcome of Phase Two will be the development of target company profiles
that will define the types of companies most likely to be successful as initial focal
points for an enterprise network. In addition, the Project Team will produce a
preliminary feasibility assessment for locating such companies in the region.
Phase Two will begin by developing working hypotheses as to the types of companies
to target. As these preliminary profiles are tested throughout the phase, they will be
modified, abandoned or replaced with more viable options.
Although Phase One addresses "good fit" by means of supplier analyses for the target
industries, Phase Two drives down more deeply into issues of fit by means of
interviewing. Interview subjects will include potential local suppliers, manufacturers
in the target industry, industry experts, local entrepreneurs, and local manufacturers
in related businesses potentially able to expand into the target industry. Note that
previous research results and additional secondary research will be used to identify
interview subjects and to guide the questioning.
The feasibility assessment will address the following:
Supplier Types. The Project Team will select representative
suppliers from the local supplier types to be interviewed. For supplier
types not available locally, the analyst will determine the location of
other sources of supply. Target industry experts and manufacturers
will be asked to discuss the importance of geographic proximity of
suppliers.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 4
• Supplier Capacity. Local suppliers will be asked to discuss existing
and potential capacity issues.
• Networking Potential. Suppliers will be asked about their previous
experience with and disposition toward cooperative business
arrangements.
• Labor Requirements. Target industry experts and manufacturers
will be questioned about their labor market concerns.
• Opportunities for Recruitment. Target industry experts and
manufacturers will be interviewed about issues related to locating new
plants. This inquiry will be guided by knowledge of best practice in
industrial site selection and prior research. For example, Greg Schrock
of MTI found in a 2003 surveys that nearly two thirds of the Twin
Cities' manufacturing and technology service companies were planning
to invest in a new or expanded facility within a year. He profiled the
types of companies most likely to invest in Greater Minnesota and
what business climate "improvements" would make them even more
likely to invest there.
• Opportunities for New Business Development. The Project
Team will initiate a preliminary exploration of the prospects for
developing a target company in the region. This will involve scouting
out local entrepreneurs as well as identifying local companies in a
related business that maybe able to expand into the target industry.
At the conclusion of Phase Two the Project Team will have identified one or more
target company profiles with the best prospects for success. In addition, the team
will have identified some options and issues related to actually adding target
companies to the region and initiating an enterprise network. Note that it is possible
for the feasibility assessment to conclude that there is little viable opportunity for the
selected industry after all.
C. Phase Three: Enterprise Network Action Plan
A significant challenge for many economic development initiatives is in moving from
study to action. The purpose of Phase Three is to help bridge the gap between
research and implementation. The preliminary feasibility assessment from Phase
Two is expected to give rise to possibilities, yet the path ahead will remain full of
risks and unknowns. Phase Three is an opportunity to review and integrate what was
learned, test the waters of the mast likely opportunities, and determine the next
steps for action. Site selection criteria and marketing and recruitment strategies will
be addressed. Conclusions will be captured in a planning framework document to
facilitate ENSA Workgroup discussion, decision-making, and action planning.
Schrock, G. "Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota Connections: A Business Perspective," Center
for Rural Policy and Development, (March 2004).
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Malysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 5
D. A Flexible Technical Approach
The project phases described above should not be viewed as a formulaic or turnkey
solution. It is expected that discovery and insights from early activities will suggest
ways that later activities can be modified to better accomplish project objectives. An
important aspect of the proposed approach is flexibility to accommodate these
modifications as long as they do not constitute significant changes in scope. Major
changes in scope can be incorporated as needed if they are renegotiated and accepted
by all parties.
E. Deliverables
Results of each phase will be delivered using a PowerPoint presentation in a face-to-
face meeting to allow for questions and discussion. Supporting documentation such
as spreadsheets, source documents, maps, interview logs, etc, will be provided. The
deliverables also include a database of potential suppliers with various reporting
options and a planning framework document. The following table summarizes
deliverables and outcomes by project phase.
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Phase One: Industry Overviews PowerPoint presentation with Selection of a target industry for
and Potential Supplier Analyses supporting documentation; further research
database including potential
supplier profiles
Phase Two: Enterprise Network PowerPoint presentation with Establishment of profiles for the
Feasibility Assessment supporting documentation types of companies to be added
to the region
Phase Three: Enterprise Network PowerPoint presentation with Action steps for developing the
Action Plan supporting documentation; enterprise network
planning framework document
F. Research Methods
The Project Team will employ research methods, tools, and technologies of
secondary and primary research. Secondary research sources include proprietary
databases, Internet sources, government agencies, professional associations,
research institutions, and specialized libraries. Primary research activities will
include interviews with company sources and industry experts.
Secondary research methods and selected interviews have proven effective in
generating useful knowledge for decision making without requiring the time and
expense of primary market research methods such as surveys, focus groups, etc. In a
recent Knowledge Based Solutions project, interviewing was used to guide the design
and assess the feasibility of a new business venture. Engaging potential suppliers in
this way produced the additional benefits of educating them about the new business
and creating support for the venture.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 6
A number of tools contribute to the ability of the Project Team to execute the project.
For example, the team has access to company databases from Harris InfoSource,
InfoUSA, Thomson Gale, and Dun & Bradstreet. Other tools include Microsoft
Access (database), Microsoft MapPoint (business mapping and data visualization)
and IMPLAN (economic impact modeling).
G. Work Plan
A sample work plan is provided below based on a total project time of i3 weeks as
specified in the Request for Proposals. The work plan assumes a start date of
Thursday, June t5, 2006 and a completion date of September i5, 2006.
Modifications to this work plan can readily be made upon agreement of all parties.
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Phase One-Industry Overviews and Potential Supplier Analyses
Thursday, June 15, 2006 Project Start. Meeting #1: Kick-Off (review of needs and proposed
approach; project fine-tuning and launch of Phase One)
Thursday, July 20, 2006 Meeting #2: Industry Overviews and Potential Supplier Analyses
(presentation of results and selection of target industry; project fine-
tuning and launch of Phase Two)
Phase Two-Enterprise Network Feasibility Assessment
Thursday, August 24, 2006 Meeting #3: Enterprise Network Feasibility Assessment
(presentation of results and selection of target company profiles;
project fine-tuning and launch of Phase Three)
Phase Three-Enterprise Network Action Plan
Friday, September 15, 2006 Meeting #4: Enterprise Network Action Plan (presentation of results
and action steps) and project close
III. STAFFING PLAN
The Project Team's approach to staffing this project is to provide the services of a
team of two specialists to complete all research, analysis, reporting and planning
requirements described throughout this proposal. Our two-person team consists of
Business Management Specialist Mary Connor and Business and Market Analyst
Roger Hurd. This team is currently working with the East Central Minnesota
ENSA and North Central Minnesota ENSA groups. Both Ms. Connor and Mr. Hurd
have experience providing business development services in the West Metro Fringe
region. We describe the qualifications of the Project Team below. Detailed CVs for
each of these specialists are included as Annex A.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 7
Mary Connor has 32 years' experience in assisting a wide variety of firms and
organizations with implementation of business improvement and financial
management initiatives. Currently, Ms. Connor works as a Management Systems
Specialist with MTI, where she provides one-on-one consulting and training services
in a variety of business disciplines throughout the state of Minnesota. Ms. Connor
has extensive experience assisting firms located in the West Metro Fringe area, most
recently the Elk River Machine Company and several other subsidiaries of the Elk
River based Cretex Companies, Inc. In addition, Ms. Connor has been involved in
the facilitation of the Monticello area CEO Peer Council group, which area CEO's to
meet and give them a forum to exchange ideas on business development and growth.
The Monticello CEO Peer Council includes participation of several firms located in
the West Metro Fringe, including Andrew Tool, Blow Molded Specialties, Interior
Components Group, International Precision Machine, Louis Industries, Weeres
Industries, and Sportech. Prior to joining MTI, Ms. Connor served as Chief
Financial Officer at Midwest Fire Protection, Inc. in Minneapolis and as Controller at
the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. Ms. Connor holds BS and MBA degrees from
the University of Minnesota.
Roger Hurd has 27 years of experience in providing customized research, analysis
and consulting services to a wide range of clients, including several companies in the
West Metro Fringe area. He is the founder and principal of Knowledge Based
Solutions, a firm that develops knowledge tailored to support client problem-solving
and decision-making. He specializes in analysis to guide new business opportunities
and strategic marketing initiatives. Roger was formerly the Manager of Business
Intelligence Services with Minnesota Technology, Inc., where he conducted market
opportunity assessments, competitive intelligence analyses and various other studies
on behalf of client companies. Prior to that, he headed INFORM, the commercial
business research service at the Minneapolis Public Library. He holds MBA and MLS
degrees from the University of Minnesota. Clients have included Fortune 500
companies as well as small manufacturers and non-profit organizations in
Minnesota.
IV. ORGANIZATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) was established in i99i as an economic
development organization designed to help small and mid-sized Minnesota
companies gain competitive advantages by providing innovative business and
technology solutions combined with in-depth insight about the companies and
people on the state's technology scene. Operating as a private non-profit 5ot(c) 3
organization, MTI seeks to create a robust Minnesota economy that features a
diverse mix of advanced manufacturing and technology-based businesses that
provide secure, well-paying jobs. Since its inception, MTI has served over 5,00
companies across the state and has helped the state's economy realize gains of more
than $~oo million through increased sales, higher profits, and lower costs.
Knowledge Based Solutions (KBS) develops knowledge to enable clients to be more
effective in solving problems, making decisions and accomplishing their objectives.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, 2006
Page 8
KBS pursues this mission in three ways. Knowledge external to the organization is
developed through research and analysis. Knowledge internal to the organization is
discovered within databases. Daily operational management of knowledge is
enhanced via desktop applications. All three service areas leverage knowledge for
competitive advantage. KBS has been providing "knowledge for action and results"
to manufacturing, service and non-profit clients since zoo3.
V. COST PROPOSAL
As specified in the Request for Proposals, the cost of the proposed project is $io,ooo.
Minnesota Technology, Inc. and Knowledge Based Solutions
West Metro Fringe Enterprise Network Systems Analysis Project Proposal
May 24, togs
Page 9