Josh B. gave our invocation. Our guests included Steve Andrews spouse, Menghui, who Steve said was "back for good," and Lisa McFarland. Two of three questions based on the July Rotary Magazine were answered correctly. We were reminded to sell peaches and to make sure that for any customer picking up peaches at the trailer, you clearly indicate on the sheets to be turned in whether they are paying at the trailer or you are collecting the money from the customer. Brian T. reported that so far, we have received a little over $1,000 in donations towards Pete's Trees. While all this was going on, we had a chance to enjoy some leftover treats from Buzz's 90th birthday party.
This writer paid the first brag, anticipating there would be more than one member wanting to talk about next week's peach trivia quiz and trying to save some meeting time by just getting that out of the way. Mary P. told us about a senior seminar that was held at the Bigwood Event Center last Thursday, with her being one of the presenters. Buzz L. made a sizable contribution to acknowledge his birthday party, with someone having been heard to comment they were waiting for his 100th. Mark B. contributed for missing some meetings and in honor or Buzz; Mark also contributed because he had to leave the meeting early and miss James Leiman's program, whom Mark had worked with when James was North Dakota Commerce Commissioner; Mark also said he recently attended the Governor's Cup in Medora and was able to take a tour of the "fantastic" Theodore Roosevelt Museum. Dave J. bragged about hearing President Katie and Sunrise President Amy Donoho on the radio that morning talking about Rotary with Paul Shol from Habitat for Humanity. Wally C. paid for putting the flags up backwards the prior week and also said that because of the road work going on he and Zack had moved their office location down to 225 W. Lincoln Ave. Mary P. also contributed a scooter buck.
James Leiman, our City's Economic Development Director, was our speaker and he gave us some background information, having overlooked sending it to Katie so she could give him a more formal introduction. Originally from New Jersey, James joined the Army out of high school and served in the military intelligence community for 15 years. With his wife from northern Minnesota, they moved to Ada where James served as city administrator for four years. He was giving a speech in Wahpeton and afterwards the North Dakota Commerce Commissioner approached him about coming to work for him; for the next four and a half years he went to work for North Dakota, first running the Commerce Department's economic development arm and then serving on Doug Burgum's cabinet. Over that time period about $65 billion in investments were brought into the state. Four years ago, he went to work for a foundation established by an Australian, travelling the world doing impact development. James then started a couple of his own companies, which he still runs, and took his job with Fergus Falls as a passion project. While he doesn't live here (his wife farms and they have a place in Puerto Rico to escape to in the winter) and spends about two days a month in town, he is always available. His phone number is (253) 224-3933 and his e-mail address is james.leiman@fergusfalls.mn.gov.
He said Fergus Falls has all the requisite infrastructure and a diversified economy but is not maximizing its capacity. There are many tools available to assist in economic development and part of his job is to identify those tools for both the city and businesses located in or looking at coming here. Three manufacturers he has met with are in the process of initiating new projects and there are three national retailers interested in Fergus Falls. Fergus hosted a housing summit the prior week and it was reported the cost of new homes here averages about $50,000 to $100,000 less than in Alexandria and Detroit Lakes. James believes they are about three to four weeks away from figuring out a path forward with part of the State Hospital. He described his mission is to grow the tax base and help position the city for a changing job market. Most economic development people are selling a vision, but he sees the job as facilitating discussion and synchronizing action. To have a successful economic development program a city needs to minimize friction and so far, he believes that is occurring here.
