Miles & Jim
The guest speaker for this week’s Rotary meeting was Miles Seppelt, the Hutchinson Development Economic Director. His message consisted of three items: the Depot Marketplace, the Hutchinson Marketing Campaign, and Minnesota Angel Network.
The Depot Marketplace– The existing depot building will be moved to an east-west orientation for better access on the site. There will be a new parking lot and plans to build a pavilion. The pavilion is modeled after the Rotary shelter and will house the Farmer’s Market in the future. There are also plans to have a bicycle trail leading to the marketplace as a future stopping point of the Luce Line Trail. Plans are in the works to have the block cleaned up and the pavilion built hopefully by the end of the summer.
Marketing Campaign–EDA is promoting the message of the positive things that are happening in Hutchinson. Hutchinson is one of few cities with a new, shovel-ready industrial park and also has access to a $1.2 million revolving loan fund. In order to get Hutchinson’s message out, EDA plans to modernize its logo and look. There are also plans to adopt a brand (Minnesota’s Manufacturing City), create a new website, establish a social media presence, develop new marketing materials, and push relentlessly!!! EDA wants to increase visibility and attract business expansions.
Minneosta Angel Network—This group helps new companies get ready to meet with investors. It is based on proven models from other states and Miles anticipates 50-60 companies state wide to participate. About 1/2 of these will be location neutral, which is an opportunity to bring the businesses to Hutchinson.
Thank you, Miles, for a very informative presentation!
Other News:
Group Study Exchange is in need six drivers!!!! Please contact Kim Winters if you can help out! The board did not anticipate that we would be selected to host the GSE this year and does not have a line item budgeted for the expenses. If you are interested in helping, the following opportunities are available. Expenses will include: Cactus Jacks–$60, Rotary lunch–$35, McLeod County Museum–$78, Subway lunch–$50, Crow River Winery–$35. We welcome you or your business to sponsor an activity or to give a small donation towards these expenses. If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact Jim Wendling, wendling@hutchtel.net or Kim Winters, kdwinter@mchsi.com.
Raffle—The April 5 meeting is an update of all the plans for the raffle. Hopefully all the committees will have met and then we can update everyone. The raffle is on April 20–only 5 weeks away!!!!! If you have SOLD tickets, please drop them off with Carla Reinowski at Piehl Hanson Beckman office. You must have the ticket AND the money to turn them in. Silent Auction–Each member is encouraged to donate an item for the auction. Please contact Bruce Christianson, cshoes@hutchtel.net or Kim Winter for more information on the silent auction.
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