>> HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH.

>> OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH.

WE WILL SPEAK TO STAFF MEMBERS DEDICATED TO HELPING VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> THEY HAVE SECURED FUNDING FOR A NEW BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND IS HOSTING AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT NEXT WEEK.

>> WE HAVE A GUEST ON VOICES OF THE REGION.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE COMING UP.

♪ RAISE CEASES AND I SANK >> THIS MAY BE THE LAST WEEKEND TO FINISH UP THOSE CHORES.

>> LAST FORECAST I SAW WAS FOR SUNSHINE ALL WEEK LONG.

>> GET EVERYTHING DONE.

>> MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TOOK ACTION TODAY TO RELIEVE OVERCROWDED HOSPITALS CRUSHED BY COVID CASES.

THE GOVERNOR PUT THE NATIONAL GUARD ON ALERT TO PROVIDE STAFFING SUPPORT AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

HE ALSO ANNOUNCED STEPS TO ANNOUNCE -- EXPAND RAPID TESTING SITES WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD RAMPING UP THAT EFFORT.

THE GOVERNOR URGE THE STATE LEGISLATOR TO STEP IN AND TAKE ACTION TO CURB THE PANDEMIC.

>> ON THURSDAY, HE VISITED DULUTH TO TOOK OFF -- KICKOFF A PROJECT TOUR.

HE JOINED LOCAL OFFICIALS FOR A NEWS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTING NEW PROJECTS ON THAT FRONT.

THEY WILL CONSIDER BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROJECTS IN ITS 2022 CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL.

>> THEY ARE PARTNERING IN A NEW SURGERY CENTER.

THE NORTHERN LAKES SURGERY CENTER WILL BE LOCATED IN THE FORMER BUILDING THERE.

THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FACILITY WILL PROVIDE NUMEROUS OUTPATIENT SURGERY OPTIONS AND IS EXPECTED TO OPEN NEXT SUMMER.

>> LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO WILL HOST ITS BLUE AT THE ZOO.

THE EVENT FEATURES MULTIPLE TRICK-OR-TREAT STATIONS, GAMES, FOOD DRUGS AND FUN ACTIVITIES.

IT WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16TH, 23RD AND 30TH.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE.

DENNIS: EVERY DAY, SOMEBODY IS PHYSICALLY ABUSE EVERY TEAM MINUTES.

ONE OUT OF THREE HOMELESS WOMEN ARE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH TO MOURN THE VICTIMS AND UPLIFT SURVIVORS.

JOINING US NOW WITH MORE IS JACKIE CHRISTIANSEN, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CORD NEEDED WITH SAFE HAVEN SHELTER AND RESOURCE CENTER.

DIANA IS A LEGAL ADVOCATE WITH THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

MAYBE WE CAN START WITH YOU, ANY CORRELATION BETWEEN THE LOCKDOWN CAUSED BY COVID AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

ARE WE NOTICING A TIE BETWEEN THE TWO?

>> THERE IS A BIG CONNECTION.

WHEN THE FIRST STAY-AT-HOME ORDER STARTED, WE HAD TO GO OVER COVID AND GO HALF CAPACITY.

WE ARE A 10 BED SHELTER SO THAT PUT US AT FIVE.

WE HAD TO TURN AWAY MORE WOMEN AND FAMILIES WHO ARE FALLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

IT SHOWED THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF TURN AWAY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A NEED FOR BED SPACE.

WE ARE SUCH A SMALL SPACE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WE HAD TO ELIMINATE MORE SPACE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

JULIE: HOW DO YOU DEFINE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

DOES IT ALWAYS INCLUDE PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR ARE THERE SHADES?

ALONG A SPECTRUM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE DEFINE IT AS ONE PARTNER MAINTAINING POWER OR CONTROL OVER ANOTHER.

THAT CAN BE WITH PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

THAT CAN BE WITH EMOTIONAL ABUSE, DOWNS, GAS LIGHTING, WE NOTICED THAT 99% OF SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE SOME KIND OF ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL ABUSE, PREVENTING THEM FROM HAVING A JOB OR CONTROLLING THEIR FINANCES.

ALONG WITH USING CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS AND PENDANTS AS OBJECTS OF CONTROL.

DENNIS: THE BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, EVEN.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW MANY WOMEN IN MINNESOTA MAY LOSE THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

I AM SURE THAT IS AN ISSUE HERE IS IT NOT?

>> OUR STATEWIDE COALITION DOES A GREAT JOB OF HONORING LIES LAWSUIT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

JUST TODAY, WE GOT A NOTIFICATION THAT THE 23RD VICTIM JUST IN THIS YEAR IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THOSE ARE 23 VICTIMS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

AS VICTIMS OF HOMICIDE RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO KNOW HOW MANY WE ARE NOT AWARE OF?

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE OVERLAP.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THE MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND OUT OF NAME IT -- NATIVE WOMEN, GIRLS AND TWO SPIRIT ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

I'M SURE THE NUMBERS WERE HIGHER IF THERE WAS AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF ALL VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

JULIE: WE THINK OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MORE OFTEN AS HAVING WOMEN AS A VICTIM BUT THINGS CAN BE FLIPPED AROUND SOMETIMES, CAN'T THEY?

>> THE NATIONWIDE STATISTICS ARE ONE IN THREE WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE.

ONE IN SEVEN MEN AND THEN HALF OF TRANSGENDER VILLA -- VICTIMS WILL EXPERIENCE IT IN THEIR LIFETIMES.

IT TRULY IS A CAUSE THAT IMPACTS EVERYONE NO MATTER THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, WHERE THEY LIVE, HOW THEY LIVE, ANYBODY CAN BE A VICTIM AND/OR A PERPETRATOR OF THE VIOLENCE.

JULIE: DO YOUR ORGANIZATIONS DEAL WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR MEN OR FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE IN THAT KIND OF VICTIM STATE?

>> WE KNOW IT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE ON YOUR GENDER OR RACE SO WE WORK WITH ALL VICTIMS.

IF YOU WILL COME FORWARD AND WOULD LIKE HELP OR SERVICES, WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU.

DENNIS: ONE OF YOUR SERVICES IS LEGAL ADVOCACY.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> I DO ORDER FOR PROTECTIONS, HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDERS, ANY TIME THERE IS A DOMESTIC, I AM ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO GET FOLLOWED UP WITH.

I FOLLOW UP WITH THE VICTIM WHO HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND CHECK IN IF THEY NEED ANY SUPPORT OF SERVICES.

CHARGES DON'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.

SOMETIMES, THEY MAY JUST WANT HAT SENSE OF PROTECTIOND THEY MAY SEEK OUT AN ORDER FOR PROTECTION.

IF HAVING THAT, I DO PROVIDE SUPPORT WITH THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SO COMPLEX AND OVERWHELMING.

IT'S MORE OF I AM JUST THERE RIGHT-HAND GAL.

IF THEY NEED SOME SUPPORTING OR WHEREVER THEY ARE AT, I MEET THEM AT THEIR LEVEL.

>> POLICE ARE NOT NOTIFIED.

IT IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL, WORKING WITH OUR SERVICES, THEY ARE PROTECTED WHY THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.

WORKING WITH US IS CONFIDENTIAL.

WE DO NOT DISCLOSE UNLESS THEY WANT US TO.

JULIE: WHAT ARE THE SERVICES YOU OFFER?

>> WE HAVE LEGAL ADVOCATES AT OUR AGENCY AS WELL SO WORKING WITH THAT.

WE ARE A LARGER SHELTER.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHERE THE FURTHEST NOSE -- NORTH SHELTER SO WE HAVE A 39 BED SHELTER SO IT IS A BIT LARGER.

WE PROVIDE EVERYBODY WITH BASIC NEEDS WHEN THEY COME IN SO ALL THEIR MEALS, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, AS WELL AS OUR PUBLIC FACING CENTER WILL HELP WITH SELF SUFFICIENTLY -- SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

SAFETY IS JUST ONE SMALL PIECE IN THE PUZZLE OF REBUILDING THEIR LIVES.

DENNIS: MANY ABUSE WOMEN HAVE CHILDREN.

IS THERE SPACE IN YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR CHILDREN?

HOW ARE THEY CARED FOR?

>> GOING BACK TO WHEN YOU MENTIONED THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO CLOSE DOWN OUR SHELTER.

THE PHYSICAL SPACE.

WE ARE COMMUNITY-BASED.

WE HAD TO RELOCATE TO AN OFF-SITE AREA.

THE OFF-SITE WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

WE CAN TAKE THOSE FIVE BUT WE CAN TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO.

THAT IS THE SPACE WE ARE AT NOW UNTIL WE HAVE OUR NEW SHELTER.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ANY KIDS THEY >> >> HAVE WITH THEM.

WE ACCEPT ANY KIDS INTO ANY SHELTER.

WE HAVE A YOUTH ADVOCATE WHO WORK IN HOMES WITH VIOLENCE TO CONTINUE THAT RELATIONSHIP.

EVEN IF THEY ARE OUT OF SHELTER, THEY MIGHT FORM A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE ANOTHER RESPONSIBLE ADULT TO LOOK UP TO.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS HESITATE TO HESITATE TO TALK TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS OR COWORKERS ABOUT IT.

ARE THERE WARNING SIGNS THAT IT MIGHT HELP THEM RECOGNIZE THAT SOMEBODY IN THEIR LIFE MIGHT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE THERE MIGHT BE SOME HELP.

?

>> ONE OF THAT BIG WARNING SIGN IS THAT SHIFT IN BEHAVIOR AND MOODS.

WE OFTEN HEAR FROM PEOPLE THAT IT WILL BE SOMEBODY HE USED TO COME TO HAPPY HOUR AND OTHER HAVE EXCUSES WHY THEY CAN'T COME OUT ANYMORE.

OR THAT PERSON WHO WAS ALWAYS FAITHFUL IN THIS PEW AT CHURCH DOESN'T SEEM TO PAY THEM ANYMORE.

ALL TIMES, WE THINK OF PHYSICAL SIGNS OF BRUISES.

THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

THE SHIFT IN HOW THEY TALK ABOUT THEIR PARTNER AND CONVERSATION.

JULIE: ARE THERE WAYS TO APPROACH A CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF TRYING TO FEEL OUT OF -- IF SOMEBODY NEEDS HELP?

ARE THERE THINGS THAT YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO?

>> THE BIGGEST THING IS IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS JUST REMINDING THEM THAT YOU ARE THERE FOR THEM.

I GREW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE THERE WAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

I WATCHED MY MOM EXPERIENCE IT AND I KNEW TELLING HER THIS IS WRONG.

LET US LEAVE.

IT DID THE OPPOSITE.

SOMETIMES, I THINK THAT CAN PUSH PEOPLE FURTHER AWAY.

I THINK LETTING THEM KNOW WHAT RESOURCES THEY ARE AND THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR THEM WILL BE A BIG ONE.

DENNIS: HOW CAN THE PUBLIC GET INVOLVED?

>> WE HAVE AN EVENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH WHICH IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT AND LEARN ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES.

>> IT IS ON A TOBER 27TH FROM 3:00-5:00.

WE WILL HAVE A SOLIDARITY SHOALS DANCE AND HAVE OTHER RESOURCES THERE.

BECAUSE IT IS ALSO, I MENTIONED THAT THERE IS A LAP BETWEEN THIS AND MI W THAT THEY ARE INTERSECTIONALITY.

DENNIS: WITH THAT, WE HAVE TO WRAP IT UP.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

♪ JULIE: IT IS TIME FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST COVERING STORIES OF INTEREST.

THIS WEEK, DANIEL IS OUR GUEST.

♪ >> RESEARCHERS AND STATE OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS TOXIC GREEN BLUE ALGAE FOUND IN LAKE SUPERIOR WATERS.

AS A RESULT OF A RECENT BLOOM IN SOME TIMBER THAT FORMED AT A BEACH AT THE DULUTH SUPERIOR HARBOR.

OFFICIALS ARE CAUTIONING THAT THIS IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM FINDING THE DISCOVERY OF TOXINS IN THIS INLET THEN IT WOULD BE IN THE OPEN LAKE BECAUSE IT IS RELATIVELY SHALLOW AND A PROTECTED AREA THAT DOES NOT SEE THE SAME TYPE OF DYNAMICS ON THE OPEN WATERS.

THE DISCOVERY IS A CONCERNING PROGRESSION FOR RESEARCHERS IN BLOOMS THAT HAVE BEEN OBSERVED.

YOU CANNOT SAY YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS.

WE HAVE NOW SEEN IT.

THE WATERS OF LAKE SUPERIOR, ALBEIT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION.

RESEARCHERS AND STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS IS SAYING IT IS SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE SEE AT LAKE SUPERIOR.

ALTHOUGH, IT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST FORMULATES IN THE WORLD.

AS CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO CHANGE , THEY LEAD TO WARMER WATERS.

IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE MONITOR AND DOING FURTHER RESEARCH ON.

THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT NORTHLAND COLLEGE THAT STATE AND FEDERAL AND LOCAL PARTNERS HAVE WORKED ON TWO SLOW THE FLOW OF RUNOFF INTO THE BAY.

IF YOU REMEMBER, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WE HAD FLOODING OVER FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND THAT REALLY CARVED A WHOLE IN A MAJOR HIGHWAY.

THEY SAW JUST DISRUPTIONS IN TRAVEL FOR MONTHS BECAUSE WE SAW THAT FLOODING HAD THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENT THAT FLOWS EACH YEAR INTO THE BAY.

THIS PROJECT THEY ARE WRAPPING UP IS A 320 THOUSAND DOLLAR RESTORATION PROJECT FUNDED THROUGH THE GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE WAS IS A FEDERAL GREAT LAKES CLEANUP PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO PREVENT ERODING BLUFFS FROM SENDING AROUND 5600 TONS OF SEDIMENT EACH YEAR AND STREAM INTO THE BAY.

THEY'RE DOING THAT BY PUTTING LAIRS OF LOGS THAT ARE CABLED TOGETHER BY THE BASE OF ERODING BLUFFS AND THEY ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP THE CREEK FROM MIGRATING TOWARDS ITS BANKS WHILE THE FISH HABITAT.

IT WILL FOLLOW ITS ORIGINAL PATH THAT IT HAD PRIOR TO THE FLOOD.

THEY EXPECT IT WILL NOT HOLD UP IN THE FACE OF OTHER INTENSE STORMS.

BECAUSE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO U.S. HIGHWAY TWO.

THERE IS A BRIDGE.

BEFORE, THEY HAD A BOX COVER AND IT JUST TORE OUT THE ROAD AROUND IT.

THE DNR REJECTED ITS OWN POLICY-SETTING BOARD.

THE QUOTA IT SET WHICH MORE THAN DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF STUFF THAT COULD BE HARVESTED THIS FALL.

THEY CUT THAT IN HALF BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL NUMBER OF 130 WOLVES FOR THE FALL.

THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT UNDER STATE LAW AND MAKE THE FINAL CALL.

THIS IS BECAUSE A LOT OF DEBATE.

THERE IS A POWER STRUGGLE THAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN WISCONSIN DNR UNDER THE GOVERNOR AND THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY OF THE WISCONSIN NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD WHO HAS THOUGHT THESE HIGHER QUOTAS THAT THEY SAY ARE IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING STATE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

THEY FEEL IT IS NOT BASED ON SOUND SCIENCE AND IS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN TWO DECADES.

THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE LAWSUITS SEEKING TO SHUT DOWN THE WALL FUN IN WISCONSIN THIS FALL.

ONE FILED BY ANIMAL PROTECTION AND WILDLIFE ADVOCACY GROUPS.

ANOTHER FILED BY TRIBES WHO SAY THAT THE FEBRUARY HUNT WAS CONDUCTED IN A MANNER THAT CONDUCT -- VIOLATED TREATY RIGHTS AND THAT THE NATIONAL -- NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD SET A QUOTA KNOWING THEY WOULD DEPRIVE THE TRIBES OF THEIR RIGHT ON A TREATY TO HALF OF THAT QUOTA OR UP TO HALF.

IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THIS MONTH, WE ARE SET TO HEAR A HEARING IN THE TRIBES CASE ON OCTOBER 29.

THAT COULD BASICALLY SHIFT WHERE THINGS GO FROM HERE WITH A HUNT ON NOVEMBER 6 DEPENDING ON WHAT THE COURT RULES.

WHETHER THE RULE IN FAVOR OF THE TRIBE OR ALLOW THE HUNT TO MOVE FORWARD.

♪ DENNIS: THEY UNVEILED PLANS TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE ENTREPRENEURS COULD DEVELOP THEIR BIG IDEAS.

WITH OVER $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING, THEY WILL RENOVATE A 16,000 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY.

EARLIER TODAY, OUR PRODUCER SPOKE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS PRESIDENT ABOUT THE NEW BUILDING AND AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT NEXT WEEK.

>> IT IS CALLED THE FORGE WHERE IDEAS TAKE SHAPE.

WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THEY HAVE DONE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS COMMITTEE FOR 40 YEARS.

WE HAVE DONE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ATTRACTION, LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK IN BROADBAND AND TRY TO ACCELERATE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

MOST RECENTLY, WE LOOK AT A BUILDING THAT WE OWNED.

IT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY BEEN CALLED THE AIRPORT ROAD BUILDING .

IT HAS A TENANT AND ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER SIDE RECENTLY BECAME VACANT.

WE TALKED ABOUT BOOTSTRAPPING AND PUTTING TOGETHER A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLLEGE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND US DOING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION WORK TO CREATE AN INCUBATOR MAKER SPACE THAT WOULD BE A HOME OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

IN THE MILL THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH ALL THESE ART NICE, THE RISE GRANT CAME FRONT AND CENTER FROM THE USDA.

WE THOUGHT WELL, LET US TAKE A SHOT AT THIS.

WE BROUGHT TOGETHER THESE PARTNERS AND WENT OVER THAT GRANT IN JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS, WE WROTE THAT GRANT.

WE ALSO WENT OUT AND RAISE OTHER FUNDS.

WE HAVE THAT GRANT FOR 750,000, 50,000 FROM THE ARROWHEAD INTELLIGENT REGION, OUR COUNTY CHIPPED IN AS WELL AS ITASCA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

A LOT OF COLLABORATORS AND A LOT OF PARTNERS TO BRING THIS TO FRUITION.

GREG: IS HER HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS TYPE OF FACILITY?

ARE THERE PEOPLE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT?

>> WE BELIEVE WE DO.

IT WAS DESIGNATED AS THE RURAL HUB OF LAUNCH MINNESOTA.

IT IS A REAL EFFORT TO DO OUTREACH AND WORK WITH ON TAPIRS AND INNOVATORS.

WE STARTED OUR BRAND JUST EARLIER THIS YEAR SO AROUND THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER, WE LAUNCHED INNOVATE TO 18 TO WORK WITH ENTREPRENEURS.

WE HAVE A LEAN STARTUP MODEL THAT IS DONE WITH A COHORT AND A PARTNER.

WE ARE REACHING THOSE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD THE NETWORK AND TRYING TO FIND THE PLATFORM THEY NEED TO ACCELERATE THE GROWTH OF THEIR BUSINESS.

WE BELIEVE THEY ARE THERE.

IT IS A CHALLENGE FINDING THEM SO WE GOTTA GET THE WORD OUT, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN HELP THEM.

BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THIS COLLABORATIVELY, WE KNOW THE STUDENTS ARE THERE THAT NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE SPACE AND HAVE ACCESS TO THAT CNC MACHINE OR THAT WELDING EQUIPMENT THEY OTHERWISE WOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO.

GREG: ELABORATE MORE ON THAT PARTNERSHIP?

THAT SHOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM.

>> OH, IT IS HUGE.

THE CHALLENGE IS THEY HAVE LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE TO THEM SO THAT IS WHY WE STARTED HAVING CONVERSATIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

HOW CAN WE PUT A SPACE TOGETHER THAT WE CAN BOTH USE THE WOOD HAS MORE SUSTAINABILITY?

YOU ARE RURAL, SOME -- DOING SOME LIKE THIS MIGHT HAVE A SHORT LIFESPAN BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AROUND.

BY BRINGING THEM TO THE TABLE, WE HAVE BUILT LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW-HOW.

MY TEAM WORKS WITH SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE KNOW FINANCES REALLY WELL.

WE CAN WRITE GRANTS.

WE CAN LEAD IN THIS COMMUNITY BUT WE ARE NOT EDUCATORS.

WE ARE NOT WELDERS.

BY HAVING THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CREW, THEY HAVE THE TRAINERS ALREADY.

THEY HAVE THE EDUCATORS.

THEY BRING SO MUCH VALUE TO THE SPACE.

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INNOVATORS IN THAT SPACE BUT WE HAVE STUDENTS AND WE HAVE TEACHERS AND TRAINERS AND FOLKS THAT CAN REALLY HELP EVERYBODY USE THIS EQUIPMENT AND DEVELOP THEIR IDEAS.

GREG: NEXT WEEK, YOU ARE HOSTING THE ITASCA DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> THEY REALLY BELIEVE WE ARE AT A PINNACLE MOMENT.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, OUR REGION IS HOME TO ONE OF THE LAST COAL-FIRED PLANTS IN THE STATE.

THEY REALLY BELIEVE IN TRYING TO DIVERSIFY OUR REGION BEYOND THAT ENERGY CENTER.

THERE IS A LOT OF PUSHBACK ON HOW LONG THEY WILL BE AROUND.

WE ARE WORKING WITHIN A TIMEFRAME TO TRY AND FIND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

WHETHER IT IS NEW BUSINESS UP -- OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING CAN INDICATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

IT IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS IN ONE BUCKET.

WE DECIDE TO PUT ON THE SUMMIT WHERE WE CAN INVITE BOTH THE USUAL, AS I CALL THEM, SUSPECTS, PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND MANY LEADERS WHO DO THESE SUMMITS AND UNUSUAL ONES THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS AT THE TABLE AND THE VOICE IS NOT HEARD.

BY BRINGING THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER, WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE, GIVE THEM IDEAS, PART OF THE SESSION IS HEARING FROM INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS, TOPICS AROUND ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPIRIT TOPICS AROUND HOUSING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

ALL THESE IMPORTANT CRITICAL PIECES OF OUR REGION.

AT THE END OF EACH DAY, THERE IS WAS CALLED A FACILITATED WORK SESSION WHERE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WILL COME TOGETHER IN A SPACE AND START TO TALK ABOUT WELL WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THIS INFORMATION?

WHAT CAN WE DO AND HOW CAN WE DO THAT?

HOW CAN WE MAKE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN?

PEOPLE HAVE CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS AND IT IS GREAT AND WE LOVE THAT BUT WE WANTED TO GO IN WITH A PURPOSE OF COMING OUT OF THE SUMMIT WITH REAL IDEAS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO STEP UP AND TAKE PART IN PUTTING THOSE IDEAS INTO ACTION.

GREG: IS THERE ANY MORE ROOM AT THE SUMMIT?

CAN PEOPLE STILL PARTICIPATE?

>> THE GREAT NEWS IS IT IS IN PERSON OVER TWO DAYS.

THE IN PERSON PIECE IS PRETTY FULL.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE REALLY SAFE BUT THE ONE THING WE HAVE DONE IS WE PUT EVERYTHING ON ZOOM LIVE AND RECORDED.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS GO TO THEIR WEBSITE.

CLICK ON THE SUMMIT AND EVERY LINK TO EVERY SESSION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THERE AND YOU CAN WATCH ANY OF THOSE LIVE OR GO BACK LATER AND FIND THE RECORDED VERSION.

THE ANYTHING THAT WON'T BE AVAILABLE ARE THE WORK SESSIONS.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THEY ARE BEING RECORDED.

WE WANT THEM TO BE CANDID AND OPEN ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE THINKING ABOUT PROBLEM-SOLVING HERE IN ITASCA COUNTY.

WE ENCOURAGE ANYBODY TO ATTEND.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY AMAZING SPEAKERS COMING IN.

WE HAVE NICK TESSLER WHO IS A NATIONAL INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER ABOUT CHANGE MANAGEMENT AND KATIE BOONE WHO IS TRANSFORMATIONAL IN THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE AS A COMMUNITY AND HOW WE CAN BE MORE DIVERSE AND WELCOMING.

LOTS OF OTHER SPEAKERS TO TALK ABOUT THOSE OTHER INDUSTRIES I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

GREG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, HAVE A GREAT DAY.

JULIE: THAT IS OUR TIME THIS WEEK BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST BOOK -- POST BY FOLLOWING US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH HER FAVORITE PROGRAMS ANY YOU PLEASE.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SUNNY SKIES AND GETTING OUTSIDE THIS WEEKEND.

DENNIS: YOU JUST HER MIND AND ME, I HAVE TO MOW THE LAWN TOMORROW.

I PUT IT OFF.

JULIE: I MOWED MY LAST WEEK AND I PUT IT AWAY IN THE SHED.

>> THANK YOU TO OUR GUESTS AND OUR CREW IN THE STUDIO.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪