The Brainerd Lakes Area Economic Development Corporation (BLAEDC) has been kind enough to share their High Tech Center Research Project. Here’s the description from the document…
With grants from the Blandin Foundation and Initiative Foundation, BLAEDC researched tech centers and interviewed members of the tech community to learn about their wants and needs. That data was compiled to create models and apply the concept to existing properties in the city of Brainerd. Those models can also be applied to other communities as well.
Success for this research project is based on the completion of three “documents”:
- A compilation of all the data collected into a draft business plan/outline. For example, market opportunities/potential, budget and source/use of funds, facilities, equipment and infrastructure needs, etc.
- A concept proposal and “next steps” outline for an actual location in the Brainerd Lakes Area, or a report that finds that such a project isn’t viable in this area.
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A “how-to” guide for other communities to conduct their own study. The ultimate goal of this project is to further understand how to promote economic growth and new jobs for the area by expanding the technology business sector.
If your community is 2015-11-09-tech-center-project-document-final thinking about a tech center, this report will help.