1. CITIZEN’S CALL TO ACTION
February 25, 2016

2. 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

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

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

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

6. 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

7. REPORTS

8. 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.

9. 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

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

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

12. Grow and diversify businesses and jobs in Koochiching County

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

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

15. Position the Voyage Forward region as a quality tourist destination

16. Maximize cross-border opportunities in support of Voyage Forward goals

17. Create a uniformly attractive county and means to explore it

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

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

20. AUDIENCE QUESTIONS
and ANSWERS

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