Summer is officially over, the leaves are turning, and the weather is changing which can only mean one thing – Election season is officially here.
At the time I’m writing this memo, November 3 is less than 40 days away, which means, we all have time to ensure that we have our voting plans in place.
My wife, Chris, and I were having a conversation recently with our daughters about the upcoming election. If you think about it, our homes are our kid’s first and most influential classroom, and they need to see us caring about issues that are important to us.
We like to have thoughtful conversations with them and explain our reasons for voting, especially in this important election. We believe having them see us register to vote, find a polling place or request an absentee ballot, and figuring out which candidate we align with the most will only help them in the future.
As perhaps the most consequential election in our lifetime approaches, during a global pandemic, it is of utmost importance to exercise your right to vote. The late former United States Representative, John Lewis, once said: “The right to vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in democracy.” Was he ever right!
The right to vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in democracy. — John Lewis
Here’s what you can do now:
As one of the largest businesses in East Central Minnesota, evaluating the regional economy helps us understand where we can be of better service. What we’ve found in our evaluations is that this region has consistently fallen behind Greater Minnesota communities, as well as the overall State of Minnesota in many economic metrics including, median household income, unemployment, and poverty.
For this region to prosper, we need an economic makeup of more small businesses. Small businesses and startups provide more than just jobs for community members. They also can improve innovation and productivity on a local level. When people have ways to let their ideas come to life, it’s always a win.
With that in mind, we had an idea to create a Mille Lacs Tribal Economy Business Incubator (TEBI) program to impact overall economic productivity and produce wealth for historically disadvantaged populations. The goal of a business incubator is to help create and grow young businesses by providing them with necessary support and technical services.
This program will focus on three key elements:
As with anything we do, data is driving our decisions.
Recently, the Mille Lacs Band received a $150,000 grant award where they will engage Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV) as its Agent to study the feasibility of a business incubator. During the study, MLCV will engage numerous stakeholders, including community members from underrepresented groups, key public leaders, business professionals, nonprofit leaders, emerging entrepreneurs, and small business owners. This study will provide data that will help shape the TEBI program well into the future.
MLCV has also partnered with the Initiative Foundation to leverage its unique programs available to entrepreneurs, including the Enterprise Academy.
The program is based on the Entrepreneur Development Model, a program of the St. Paul-based Neighborhood MEMO © 2020 Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures 3 MLCV.COM Development Center. Participants in the Enterprise Academy learn from business experts and create their own individual business plan.
Classes are being held once per week for 12 weeks and feature training specifically tailored to the entrepreneur, with one-on-one assistance available to help create a realistic business plan. There have been seven Enterprise Academy cohorts in process or completed so far in the region. The fall 2020 Brainerd cohort will be the 7th cohort.
Congratulations to the following Band members who were accepted into the 2020 Brainerd Cohort:
MLCV is working in partnership with the Initiative Foundation to plan the spring 2021 that will be held on the reservation that focuses on the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy cohort in each area of the tribal economy.
MLCV is funding a $2,500 stipend to any Mille Lacs Band members accepted into the current fall 2020 Brainerd cohort or the spring 2021 Mille Lacs Tribal Economy cohort. This stipend is being offered to help offset any costs associated with attendance, including tuition (the Enterprise Academy charges a minimum $100 fee based on a sliding income scale), travel, daycare, computer access, supplies, etc.
Additionally, any leftover stipend funds are encouraged to be utilized for the entrepreneur’s business idea, further education or startup costs.
If you are interested in applying for the next cohort, you can reach out to Dustin Goslin, MLCV’s VP for Business and Economic Development at 320-532-8855 or dgoslin@mlcv.com.
This memorandum expresses the views of the author as of the date listed, such views are subject to change without notice. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures makes no representation, and it should not be assumed, that past business performance is an indication of future results. This memorandum is made available for educational purposes only and should not be used for any other purpose. The contents of this memorandum may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or posted in whole or in part, in any form without prior written consent of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.
At MLCV, we are committed to improving the lives of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Members — and community members in the regions where we do business. Across our portfolio, you’ll find opportunities to drive economic and community growth to build lasting impact.
