Regional Scans

In June 2001, the GWDC created an opportunity for local stakeholders to test the value of conducting a "regional scan" to describe how regions within Minnesota see their workforce, economic, and education environments. The GWDC anticipated that a broad range of local stakeholders (business associations, Local Workforce Councils, schools and school districts, education and training providers, economic development authorities, United Ways, and others) might come together to define regional boundaries that make sense to them and conduct a scan that built on previous efforts and gathered relevant labor market and "supply side" information in one place. Finally, a key element of the scan was the engagement of local stakeholders in a "regional roundtable" that helped to shape, interpret, and then use the scan information locally.

Two demonstration grants were made in August 2001. The Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council (SBETC) was awarded a grant to conduct a regional scan for Stearns and Benton counties. SBETC was the lead applicant on behalf of the local United Way, Catholic Charities, Economic Development Partnership and the St. Cloud Technical College. The Twin Cities Economic Development Group (TCED), with the endorsement of several local stakeholders including metro area Workforce Councils, was awarded a grant that, together with funds already committed by Partners For Progress, a regional training consortium led by Hennepin County, would support completion of a metro area scan.

The written products reflecting the regional scans are linked below. The GWDC will discuss these demonstrations at its 10/23/02 meeting.

Twin Cities And Stearns-Benton Regional Scan

These are available in the PDF downloadable format

Stearns-Benton Regional Scan

Return to the HOME page