Members present: Larry Main, Eldon Freese, Norm Bickford, Ro Endresen, Ed Peterson, Phil Lindeman, Jerry Pardun, and Mary Falk

Members absent: Dave Alderman

Others present: Mike Kornmann

Press: Todd Beckman

CALL TO ORDER:

Larry Main called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room at The Lodge at Crooked Lake on July 28, 2005.

APPROVAL OF JULY 14, 2005 MEETING MINUTES:

Motion made by Ro Endresen and seconded by Eldon Freese. Motion carried.

REVIEW OF PUBLIC FEEDBACK AND YOUTH SURVEY

Two schools were surveyed and the following items were noted and pointed out to committee members by Mike Kornmann:

· Big interest in jobs and employment
· Educational fairness and equality
· Need for activities for teenagers
· Drug abuse and Meth are concerns
· Retain small-town size and values

A committee member conversed with Gloria Benjamin, a Tribe representative from Swiss Township. She confirmed that they feel suspicious regarding racial bias, but Gloria seemed willing to communicate on county problems with drugs and Meth and mentioned there is a conference coming up on this serious issue. The Tribe can be a good resource for drug and alcohol usage and also the use of trust land without written permission. It was agreed we should join forces and look for federal intervention.

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

Mike handed out a two-sided sheet listing the following five issues.
· How do we evaluate and rehabilitate drug and alcohol abusers that enter the court system?
· How do we preserve agricultural land?
· How can we enhance the business potential for agriculture?
· How do we promote appropriate business development
· How do we prepare, support, and plan for tourism?

Committee members were to supply answers for the following:
· Practical alternatives we might pursue to address the issue
· What barriers exist to the realization of these alternatives
· What actions must we take to overcome these barriers
· Who/what organization/division/committee should be primarily responsible for implementing these actions and who else should be involved?

How do we evaluate and rehabilitate drug and alcohol abusers that enter the court system?

Alternatives:

· First arrest - evaluation/assessment
· Better education at the school (youth) level
· Program evaluation
· Look at other programs (research), i.e. Racine County
· Address youth and adults -- prevention and offenders

Barriers:

· Law enforcement focuses on arrests not rehabilitation
· Cost of programs
· Community support and communication
· Lack of patience - long-term commitment
· Everyone on board - Judge, HHS, etc.
· Alcohol is rite of passage - functional drunks

Actions:

· Committed committee of community, clergy, and elected officials with varying background to evaluate rehabilitation program
· Find a grant writer

Who/What

· Determine task force (everyone)

Schools
Judge
County
Clergy
Law enforcement
HHS
Tribe (2)
Village and town boards
UWEX
Board of Supervisors
NWRPC, DA

· Administrative committee -- creates/designs task force and utilize sub-committees for:

Grants
Federal money with Tribe
Evaluate programs
Judge and law enforcement
Youth

How do we preserve agricultural land?

Alternatives:

· Purchase of development rights
· Enforce current zoning
· Encourage farming that requires smaller acreage (40 acres) - 35 acres is minimum for a farm
· Value-added farming
· Advertising/education/financing
· Change zoning class from "ag" to "green belt"
· Encourage cluster development (housing in an area that surrounds a town)

Actions:

· Leverage federal USDA funds/program

Mike suggested we skip over to:

How do we promote appropriate business development?

Alternatives:

· Central point
· Loan assistance - lower requirements (micro loans)
· Venture capital
· Promote Burnett County and business amenities
· Recruit business from outside

Napa Valley was presented as an example of a crowded highway much like our Highway 70, that is instrumental in drawing money from tourists. We need innovative entrepreneurs - wool spinners, furniture makers, etc.

Who/what

You have to do it yourself, with a partnership, or contract it out
Burnett County needs its own map
Who will promote Burnett County?
Identify who you are going to work with - BCDA, ItBec, Visitors' Center in Best Western

It was pointed out that it is 15 miles from Grantsburg to Siren and 15 miles from Grantsburg to Pine City. There is a concern we may become another Rock Creek within five years.

Committee was asked to review article that was handed out at the last meeting published in the November 2003 issue of The Main Street Economist - "Top Ten Ways to Reinvent Rural Regions."

The Committee discussed the following items from the article:

1 Build a home for the regional partnership.
Is Burnett County considered Northwestern Wisconsin or part of the Twin Cities? Thirteen percent of residents work in Minnesota.
We should organize from a regional aspect and utilize other counties, i.e. Polk. Utilize the St. Croix River Alliance, which goes all the way from Prescott to St. Croix Falls, on both sides of the river. The St. Croix River is marketable.
Building on a regional concept is critical.
Burnett County is fast becoming a retirement community for baby boomers.

We skipped over number 2 (Find your region's unique competitive niche) and moved on to:

3 Grow the farm system instead of buying free agents.
It was concurred that in rural areas it is extremely difficult to expand existing businesses and attract new businesses.

4 Create clusters around your core niche.
Tourism - lodging
Bike shop
Support
Keep tourist money
Difficult to attract business
Need personnel

5 Improve and leverage local amenities.
Invest in people
Equity capital
Angel funds and help company grow

8 Tap technologies suited to your region.
Fiber optics - used in Grantsburg School
Do some information gathering

9 Invest in 21st century infrastructure.
Sewer

The following recaps the magazine article discussion:

The point was raised regarding rising fuel costs and if businesses would move to warmer climes. It was agreed that it costs as much to cool air and that the water situation in other states is in jeopardy.

Our workforce is older than we realize. We need a college in Burnett County. Fourteen percent of Burnett County's populace has earned a Bachelor's Degree versus the national 24%. Our dropout rate is high. Fine arts in the area would attract both young and old. Mention was made that The Fort is the Star of the North, but it is not promoted aggressively. The Falls Festival Theater in St. Croix Falls is funded by benefactors. We are under-utilizing both Crex and The Fort.

People say they have tried to promote attractions in Burnett County, but it "has not worked before," so they don't attempt a second time. We must have creative people to market our assets. It was suggested that we tap into financial resources.

There is a lack of organization in the area of county tourist promotion. "No one is in charge." We must find a solution to create countywide organization, and no one has stepped forward. We need both money and organization. There is not near enough money in the tourism commission to fund. In 1992 we had $40,000 and that amount has dwindled to $12,000. A tourism cooperative was suggested as funding maybe available. One of the members knows Greg Lawless in Madison and will call Greg regarding cooperatives in this area. Room tax money in Siren was discussed. We need a functional organization with a good marketing plan and web site.

How do we prepare, support, and plan for tourism?
Government is anti-tourism and is a huge challenge to organize. We must have someone to attract people. It was suggested we knock on business doors to promote small business. Our average summertime weekend population is in the neighborhood of 40,000-42,000 people. We must focus on tourism and service in the community, i.e. motels, local small business, chambers, DNR, Discover Wisconsin.
Organization: County Government lead - Polk, Washburn, etc. has paid staff. Tourism in Burnett County only funds six hours per week.
The ag issue with respect to business potential dovetailed with the other ag issues and we will readdress at a future meeting.

FUTURE MEETINGS

August 15, 2005, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - tentatively scheduled at the Lodge.
August 30, 2005, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon - tentatively scheduled at the Lodge.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:50.