Building the economy with technology

Growing the local economy with technology-based jobs has long been a priority for Ely area leaders.But turning those hopes and plans into action and specific results has proven to be a formidable challenge.That’s why the Ely Area Joint Powers Board enlisted the services of John Powers, a Duluth consultant and community planner, to devise a strategy for making the knowledge-based technology sector a vital component of the local economy.After months of research, Powers presented the first draft of his strategy at Wednesday’s Joint Powers session.The 23-page document details the keys to success for knowledge-based business, steps needed to foster growth in the Ely area, and a plan for using both existing talent and businesses and attracting entrepreneurs from outside the area.“There already are strong aspects of it here,” Powers said of the knowledge-based technology industry. “I think the opportunities are very real.”Powers cited existing employers including Navigant Integrated Services and the Minnesota Department of Revenue and said the efforts of CSI Host - a firm that hosts websites, installs networks and is creating a wireless internet system in Ely - are crucial to the plan.Several smaller firms are technology-based and have room for growth while many other retail operations are selling goods via the internet.And somewhat hidden in Ely, according to Powers, are several others who are making a living in the industry.“Within the community are other, primarily one-person operations that are concrete, viable models of how people in Ely can make a living, indeed create entire businesses, using the internet to connect with and serve global clients,” said Powers.But significant growth, according to Powers, hinges on putting the plan to work and requires several steps.Powers’ outline calls for maintaining critical connectivity infrastructure, establishing and connecting with a network of potential investors for local ventures, supporting existing activity and developing or recruiting new businesses, and even going into the local schools to promote technology and entrepreneurial spirit.“There needs to be an expectation,” said Powers. “Our expectation growing up was that we would go to work in the mill or go to work in the mine - that we would work for someone else. What we need is the expectation that we’re going to create our own job, and that I’m going to control my own economic future.”According to Powers, Ely has a leg up on many other areas in its attempt to retain and attract technology-based jobs: its status as a destination area and proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Powers said Ely has a ‘cool’ factor that it should utilize, noting recent attention given to the area including a front-page spread in the travel section of the New York Times (see related story).“That doesn’t happen to Willmar,” said Powers. “It happens to a place like Ely.”Powers recommended a dozen implementation steps, including the development of a TechNorth Prep Center at CSI’s Central Avenue building. Vermilion Community College can access a federal grant to deliver education and training to area workers.Other recommendations include the hire of a technology strategy coordinator, support for installation of wireless internet service in the area, working with a potential new business to secure financing and training for its workers, devising a plan to increase employment at both the Navigant and Department of Revenue facilities, and work toward an economics/entrepreneurship curriculum in the schools.Powers’ report was funded through a $3,500 grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, and further funding may be required to put the plan into work.The report grabbed the attention of Joint Powers Board members, but some said they were overwhelmed by the recommendations, which will require a large-scale effort by the community and the possible hiring of someone to facilitate the effort.“You look at this whole thing, as a project, and it’s like ‘wow,’” said Winton Mayor Lee Tessier.