CITIZEN’S CALL TO ACTION February 25, 2016

TONIGHT’S AGENDA 6:30 – 7:00 PM 7:00 – 7:30 PM 7:30 – 8:30 PM Bob Anderson, Mayor; Rob Ecklund, Representative District 3A; Wade Pavleck, County Commissioner Welcome and Introductions Dale Johnson, President/CEO, TruStar FCU Business Perspective Ward Merrill, Executive Director, Backus/AB Mission , Vision and Values Statements Randy Lasky, President, Northspan Group, Inc. How We Got Here Sustain Voyage Forward Economic Development Framework Grow and Diversify Businesses and Jobs Workforce and Talent Development Quality Infrastructure Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Cross Border Opportunities Attractive Koochiching County Quality of Life Attract and Retain People Introduction of Destiny Drivers Audience Questions and Answers; Driver Sign-Up Randy Lasky, President, Northspan Group, Inc. Closing Remarks

WELCOME and INTRODUCTIONS Bob Anderson Rob Ecklund Wade Pavleck Mayor, City of International Falls State Representative – District 3A Koochiching County Commissioner

President/CEO, TruStar FCU BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE Dale Johnson President/CEO, TruStar FCU

HOW WE GOT HERE Our journey to success… Randy Lasky President, Northspan Group, Inc. Our journey to success…

Executive Director, Backus/AB OUR MISSION, VISION AND VALUES The mission of Voyage Forward is to be the platform for growing a vibrant and thriving region through community and economic development. Ward Merrill Executive Director, Backus/AB

REPORTS

WHAT’S A STEWARD? Stewards are ordinary people; people from all walks of life who care deeply about the community. Stewards are leaders who cross boundaries, take an integrated approach and build coalitions for action. They have 360-degree vision, recognizing the interdependencies between the economy, the environment and social equity. Stewards operate at the center of tough issues, not on the edges. They are risk takers. They are passionate and energetic. They are people of vision.

OUR DESTINY DRIVERS Voyage Forward Stewards Sustain Voyage Forward Economic Development Framework Grow and Diversify Businesses and Jobs Workforce and Talent Development Quality Infrastructure Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Cross Border Opportunities Attractive Koochiching County Quality of Life Attract and Retain People Voyage Forward Stewards

Develop an organization framework to lead, facilitate, communicate and sustain Voyage Forward

Develop an organization framework to lead and facilitate implementation of key economic develop strategies Implementation

Grow and diversify businesses and jobs in Koochiching County

Develop a skilled, trained and educated workforce that meets the needs of the area

Invest in and maintain high quality infrastructure that supports and is aligned with community and economic development needs and priorities

Position the Voyage Forward region as a quality tourist destination

Maximize cross-border opportunities in support of Voyage Forward goals

Create a uniformly attractive county and means to explore it

Create a quality of life environment which provides for a healthy and engaged community for all residents in all phases of life

Diversify our population, business community, and job base by attracting and retaining people and their talents

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

President, Northspan Group, Inc. CLOSING REMARKS Randy Lasky President, Northspan Group, Inc.

www.VoyageForward.org