Opportunity Development Team

The mission of the Opportunity Development Team is to maximize local and regional business development and new regional wealth retention by evaluating potential large scale projects determining major supplier, indirect spin-off and value added business development needs and opportunities, and communicating this information to existing businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and local and regional development, recruitment and financing professionals. Coordinate assistance and technical support for land and real estate options, deal structuring and financial packaging, risk assessment and management, and growth management planning for existing and new businesses.

Opportunity Development Team Composition

• Iron Range Resources
• APEX
• Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
• UMD Center for Economic Development
• Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)
• Northland Connection
• Minnesota Power
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
• Superior/Douglas County Development Association
• Affected community economic development professionals/IREA reps
• Minnesota Technology
• Iron Mining Association
• Mining Minnesota
• Itasca Technology Exchange

Team Leader

Nancy Norr, Manager, Regional Development
Minnesota Power
30 W Superior St
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 723-3913
nnorr@mnpower.com

Committee Contacts

• Andy Lisak - The Development Association (Superior/Douglas County)
• Bob Kill - Minnesota Technology
• Chris Maddy - "The Northspan Group, Inc."
• Connie Christenson - St. Louis County
• Craig Pagel - Iron Mining Association of Minnesota (IMA)
• Dave Hart - Iron Range Resources
• Diann Lowinski - Minnesota Technology
• Duane Northagen - City of Hibbing
• Elaine Hansen - UMD Center for Economic Development
• Curt Anttila - East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB)
• Frank Ongaro - Mining Minnesota
• Heather Rand - Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
• Jim Wrobleski - Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
• Kurt Bustrom - Itasca Technology Exchange
• Mary Mathews - Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
• Mike Lalich - Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
• Nancy Norr - Minnesota Power
• Peter McDermott - Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)
• Randy Lasky - "The Northspan Group, Inc."
• Rob Mattei - City of Grand Rapids
• Rob West - Area Partnership for Economic Expansion (APEX)
• Roy Smith - Iron Range Resources

Meeting Agenda

February 1, 2008