Minnesota's Job Opportunity Building Zones

A look at rural Minnesota's newest economic development program in its first six months

August 18, 2004
Hibbing Park Hotel • Hibbing, Minn.

On Aug. 18, 2004, the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development teamed up to present a policy forum on JOBZ, the state's newest rural economic development program.

Jack Geller, president of the Center, and Bob Isaacson, of DEED, presented reports on JOBZ's progress (click here to download the Center's report). A collection of speakers discussed such topics as business location decisions, marketing, and deal evaluation at the local level (click here to download Powerpoint® presentations made during the forum).

JOBZ — Job Opportunity Building Zones — is a far-reaching and controversial idea proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and passed by the 2003 State Legislature that offers various income and property tax incentives to businesses moving to, starting up or expanding in designated areas across rural Minnesota.

"Job Opportunity Building Zones:
Constructing the Framework for Program Evaluation"
Click here to download the report from the forum

Click here to download presentations from the forum

Click here to see a list of panels and speakers.

Presentations:

Commissioner Matt Kramer, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"JOBZ: A Work in Progress"

Bob Isaacson, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"It Makes a Difference: Business Views on JOBZ"

Jack Geller, Center for Rural Policy and Development
"Job Opportunity Building Zones: Constructing the Framework for Program Evaluation"

Kelly Wadding, Quality Pork Processors, Albert Lea
"JOBZ as seen by QPP"

Mark Lofthus, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"State Role in JOBZ Marketing"

Pam Bishop, Albert Lea Economic Development Agency
"Albert Lea's Job Opportunity Building Zones" (large file, takes a little time)

Chris Maddy, Arrowhead Business Connection
"JOBZ Marketing in Northeastern Minnesota"

Ed Hodder, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"Evaluating the Deal: Criteria at the Local Level"

Anthony Schaffhauser, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"JOBZ Evaluator Web Tool"

Louis Jambois, Dept. of Employment and Economic Development
"JOBZ: The Next 11 Years"