Andy's Blog

America’s dynamic business culture and its ingenuity have contributed significantly to its status as a super power. The first is evidenced by our population growth. We are the only industrialized country in the world whose population is increasing. This is due, for the most part, to the ability of the American economy to adapt to changing markets and its aptitude to create jobs. Without either, our population would reflect that of France, Japan, or Germany. People come to America to find opportunity. The second is intuitive in nature and comes from our competitive economy. When people sense they can make a buck, they will take the risk, stick their necks out, and try. Both of these qualities have sustained America and made it a great nation. We are an economic development machine.

Northwest Wisconsin and Northeastern Minnesota have also done well with regards to economic development, despite what popular opinion might suggest. Over the last 60 years, this region has moved rather smoothly from a heavy manufacturing region to an advanced service economy, defined by IT, medical and education industries and a tendency towards entrepreneurship.

Yet, there is more to be done. The Chamber Board of Directors acknowledged this last September, when they met to map out strategy for 2006. Specifically, they called for “…promotion of international trade as a means for members to expand their markets.” That goal is one of many tools that drive economic development in our community. As such, the Chamber has not been idle. We have sponsored numerous educational and research opportunities to help local companies learn how to take advantage of trade.

Last week, the Chamber, APEX, and several private companies traveled to Entrepreneurial Days in Sweden (hosted by the Swedish American Chamber). The very design of the conference propels one to meet numerous companies and explore trade opportunities. Our group met companies from all over Europe and the US who are interested in either trading with or investing in our area. Good contacts were made. Follow up will be necessary to ensure our members can take better advantage of these newly formed alliances.

To be sure, this is not the final effort in our quest to help you, our member, discover new opportunities. The efforts will continue. More immediately, the Chamber is engaged with Minnesota Power, APEX and others to host a China Ready Workshop on Thursday, September 21. The workshop is designed to help companies develop trade in Eastern Asia. In addition, the Chamber is working to coordinate the Northern Networks Trade Conference, scheduled for October 17-19 at the Inn on Lake Superior. Northern Networks will focus on trade with Canada, our biggest trade partner, as well as Mexico, Sweden, and China. Watch your Chamber communications or go to www.duluthchamber.com for more information.

International trade, while not a panacea for all business ills, is one more tool to help your company grow. Find out how. Your Chamber can help.

Politicians used to run their campaigns by shaking hands and engaging in public debates with their opponents. I mean, who can forget the pictures of John Kennedy shaking hands at the plant gate at change of shift? Certainly, many, if not all, of us can picture the Lincoln-Douglas debates, during which Douglas had to stand on a stump to be seen, while Lincoln, with his stovepipe hat, towered above the crowd.

Now it’s a new day and things, through the magic of television, have changed - one might argue, not necessarily for the better.

The Chamber, in the last few years, has endeavored to provide reliable candidate information to its members. We have held forums; printed grids of candidate information in the Chamber Xpress; and referred people directly to candidates for information. All of these efforts have been devised in order to help each member make his or her best choice at the poll. Our goal is not to sway votes; rather it is to give you, our member, candid information regarding the candidates’ views on business.

This year, we have arranged to host several forums. Specifically, we anticipated holding a US Senate Candidate forum and a gubernatorial forum. In order to give Senate candidates adequate time to arrange their schedules, we originally invited them to participate in the August forum on May 9, 2006. Both candidate committees respectfully replied but made no real commitment.

Unfortunately, we regret to inform you that neither candidate will appear at our forum. Mr. Kennedy’s handlers recently informed the Chamber that “he has other plans” and would not be able to attend the forum until later that evening. Ms. Klobuchar’s handlers replied that she “would like to attend and would see what could be done to arrange for her appearance.”

However, in the end, it seems that both candidates have bigger fish to fry. Seemingly, our membership, 1275 strong, is not a big enough audience.

The fact that the candidates declined our invitation is indeed unfortunate. Greater Minnesota deserves a senator who will pay attention to the economic needs of our area. Continued support of our local military units, promotion of transportation needs, and economic development are a just few of the issues that we would have discussed had either candidate made the choice to appear at our forum.

In place of their appearance at the forum, we’ll have to rely upon news coverage from the Twin Cities and television commercials depicting them as genuine family leaders. Or, worst scenario, we’ll learn about them from negative commercials designed to paint their opponents as idiots.

But then again, isn’t this is the very reason we’ve all become so cynical of politicians in the first place?