Exactly what jobs are needed?

I was born and raised in the Falls and would love to move back, however because of my job and salary requirements to earn a decent standard of living, my husband and I are unable to.

From my past observations over the past 5-10 years since leaving, the city and county have been very resistant to change.

Every time a new business seeks interest in opening, or it does manage to open, their progress is hindered at the county board and city council levels.

The key to attracting businsses that will open and stay open is attracting businesses that do not depend on local business to function.

UHC does not directly do business with folks from Int'l Falls, it only employs them.

Examples of the type of business needed could be Computer/Information Technology businesses. Give them affordable office space, tax breaks, and an internet connection, and they can conduct business to anyone throughout the United States.

This process has a great dependence on city/county approval which needs to be 100% willing to accept new businesses. The city/county needs to hire an economic delevopment agency to advertise the available office space, building space, commercial land for building, and potential to cost-effectively recruit and host multiple business without local business dependence.

The city/county has to be willing to accept change or the area will continue to decline.

If you bring in higher salary jobs, the need for lower wage jobs to service the growing population from the higher salary jobs will economically follow.

I agree with maf07. I had commented on another thread that the Falls needs to attract businesses that are looking for a place to 'farm source'.

In other words, try to attract a company that is looking to save money by shifting geographically agnostic functions to small towns. The idea being that larger companies can pay employees less in small towns since the cost of living is lower; at the same time they are saving themselves money.

Jobs such as these can provide a decent, livable wage, including benefits. Service orientated jobs like these require education and backgrounds from all walks of life...H.S. diplomas to Ph.Ds. To me it seems KEDA is focused on seeking and luring manufacturing jobs. However, that maybe simply be an impression more than anything. I guess I don't know enough about KEDAs operation.

The only thing that would detract from the area would be the polarizing history of labor movement. Do a google search on International Falls Labor and see what comes up...not exactly positive for a prospective company. The Falls is still stuck in 1930s. Companies can no longer pay somebody $30/hr to torque bolts on an assembly line. We live in a global economy folks, change has to be embraced not just simply opposed because it is painful. If change isn't embraced then the competition will steam roll us.

Being born and raised in the fall, I for one would love to live there again. But, with nothing but low paying jobs or seasonal work, how can anyone think of it? I could never do what I do in the cities and make what I do up there. The falls is a one-horse town that is behind the times; you need to lure a technology manufacturer or something. There are a lot of skilled people from the falls that would move back if there were decent jobs. But, it seems all we hear about is low pay and crummy benefits. If you the cost of living are such a big deal then you need to look father into things. Marvin windows in Warroad keeps opening up manufacturing plants all over the place...have you guys ever tried to lure them to the area. Probably not. Come on Fargo, has 3 yes, 3 Marvin plants I know this for a fact as I do a lot of business with them. I don’t think anyone up there is working too darn hard to do something about it. It is really sad. The falls is becoming more and more of a ghost town all the time. You need to really open your eyes and take a look around, we need to keep jobs in America, not send them to China! There are towns like Owatonna and Fairbault that seem to keep growing...I am sure many of the companies that are opening up there would have considered the falls, but you need to give decent incentives. KEDA really hasn’t done squat from my point of view, same with some of the duffers on the city council and the county board. I do give Mike Hanson a job well done, as it seems he is the one that is out there pounding the pavement. While the rest of ya have your heads up your butts!

Yes maf07, of course the reason that IF & KC have problems is the city council and county board. And as dudley so clearly points out, all that has to be done is take advantage of the traffic on I35 and I90 to really get growth going. As a person who has owned a business, created jobs and served as an elected official in the area, I can tell you that for the past 30 years (my adult life in IF), all of the councilors and commissioners have worked dilligently to create the opportunity to create jobs. By the way, thats all elected and appointed officials can do, create the opportunity. Does one have to live away to see what is happening? It seems that many that live away have the answers but not the ability to carry those solutions through. Come on folks, move back, enjoy some of the least expensive housing you will find anywhere. Pay less in taxes, utilities and transportation (you'll drive less and there are no parking charges). Live in an area that folks from all over the world pay big bucks to visit. Volunteer, run for office, support your local businesses and organizations. Enjoy Rainy Lake, the woods and the people. Oh thats right, thats not your lifestyle.

In respose to dudley. I dont know what everyone else thinks but dudley what are you talking about lifestyle you live in the cities!!! President Bush owns a Ranch does that make him a rancher? Trump owns a jet does that make him a pilot? I think we all get the point.

Replying to the original blog on this posting (from the webmaster)... I work in natural resources. Most people would think,"Northern Minnesota is great for someone like you!" Unfortunately, it is not. Most jobs for someone in my field comes from the MDNR or the NPS, both of which are in need of more funding. The jobs that are in the area are filled and when they become open (due to retirement usually), many times they are not filled or are filled from within.
I have considered other career paths, however that would take more schooling. Quite frankly, I am sick of going to school, seven years was enough. While I was living in the area, last year, I tried to find a job. I would apply and never hear anything back. Luckily, I was able to earn some money substitute teaching, however that was very sporadic. Re-educating people is not an answer, it is very time consuming and very expensive. Not to mention would, in many cases, draw people and/or money away from the area!

In response to Kay's previous comment, according to the KEDA, Marvin Windows was never planning an International Falls location.
In response to the most recent comment, there are several businesses that are or resemble call centers. One is a claims processing center (not so much a call center, but a fast Internet line enables it to provide quicker service than in years past) called Specialized Care Services, A UnitedHealth Group Company. Another is Synergy Solutions in the International Mall.
There are also a number of individuals hired to work remotely over the Internet.
A story on the topic was published Nov. 7, 2006 in The Daily Journal with the headline: Password, set, work.

As most of us know Marvin windows are very spendy and are very well made. What would the Marvins have against a labor union if you wont build a plant for that reason it says something about how u value your employees.

Bottom Line Folks: We live in a global economy. U.S. companies cannot afford labor unions. Companies like Marvin Windows do not have anything against a labor union per se. However, it is a simple matter of economics. If their operating costs are too high then they have to price their windows higher. When you do that you lose your competitive edge and then a window company from another country will destroy you.

As I said in an earlier thread, the polarizing history of organized labor in I-Falls is what is keeping companies away. No company will farm source their functions to a small town if there is not a financial benefit...its that simple.

If this town is unwilling to accept non-union jobs then it will only continue to decline and remain a one horse town. The majority of people in this town have made the bed, now everyone has to lie in it.

In response to the webmasters question as to what jobs former and current residents of this town hold, their educational qualifications or ( or lack of )..... does it really matter what they are? I do not believe that Local Government would in any way shape or form ever consider "tailoring" job opportunties or "creating" positions for those educational qualifications those people have. It does not seem realistic to me at all. Does that sound realistic to any one else? My answer to the question is this- Leaders of this town should hold the welfare of the the residents IN this town first and foremost over any person living out of town. ANY NEW JOBS would be beneficial to everyone who lives here. Sorry, I just can't be specific as to what jobs. If the job opportunities are in place, people will fight to fill them. At least here in this town. This entire situation is all conjecture. Talk. Which could be a beginning. Would be nice if it was a beginning. Local Leaders hold the answers in their hands. I guess if things don't begin to change, we need to change Local Government at the next Election. Are they willing to bring and accept other means of employment to residents of this town? I just don't believe it will ever happen. Why? Past actions are the best indicator of future actions. The jobs, NEW employment opportunities will bring people here. People won't bring the jobs. I mean if Local Government really thinks about this whole thing,it's just a little ****** backwards isn't it? Jobs = $ = spending and sustaining the economy. I work at the best job I could find here in the Falls. My workplace has one supervisor who gets full time hours.The other ten of us are kept at under 40 hours by choice of my Employer. That way Employer does not have to give us "10" Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, etc. I'm grateful to have my job. Would I like an opportunity to be Employed full time and receive benefits? You bet. Not my choice though.I've worked other jobs in this town too. Jobs most people probably wouldn't even consider applying for. I did that before I found this current job, and would do it again if it was neccesary.The teenagers in this town would benefit from entry level jobs too. Jobs they could work after school and on weekends.
I agree with points everyone has made. I am getting frustrated with our elected officials and other Civic Leaders because I think they need to focus on the needs of local residents and the town itself
if they truly want to improve the image of this town. In reference to Dudleys comments above, isn't it ironic that he was jumped on for being an "outsider" with a different "lifestyle", yet is a former resident and still currently owns land here, pays taxes here, spends time and money here? All I can tell you Dudley is it just goes to show you the mindset of "some". Open minds = Open doors.

In response to paradox, it isn’t the town choice to be union, that is the people that work for the employer. I have worked both union and non-union jobs. I prefer non union simply because there is less crap between the employer and the employees, and you don’t have the stress of contracts and all that other stuff that comes with the unions. I was raised in a union household and family, yet I find that I am better off with out, not saying that unions are bad. Just everything has its place and time. So please don’t say its a towns choice to be union and that drives away potential employers. It’s the failure of the city council and county board to meet the incentives that companies need to do business. That’s why jobs go elsewhere. I travel all over the Midwest for work and am truly amazed at what business you find in very small out of the way towns and all I think these are jobs that people in International Falls could and do well. So I honest think and feel that the city and county really need to step to the plate next a company wants to open up there and meet them. They would be amazed at what might just happen.