December 2006
Your Ticket Home Launches!
The Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) recently launched a new campaign to attract employees, business owners, and retirees to the area. Your Ticket Home is an effort to identify those with a connection to the area that may be interested in returning if there were opportunities to fit their career needs or opportunities to relocate or start a business in Koochiching County.
The project will create a data-base of those interested that can be used in conjunction with business recruitment efforts by the KEDA to quantify the potential workforce here with specific job skills and experiences. The project also links with the local workforce center here in Koochiching County that lists current opportunities that are available. In addition, once a person is entered into the database it provides an opportunity for the KEDA to communicate news, events, and opportunities within the county through this quarterly electronic newsletter.
The KEDA, as part of the Your Ticket Home program, is planning periodic socials in different parts of the state, to connect with former residents and provide information on the program and current opportunities in the area. And, with the upcoming International Falls All Class Reunion scheduled for June 28th through July 1st, 2007, we hope to use that opportunity to get alumni interested in the program and plant the seed that will lead them to return.
"We think this approach makes a great deal of sense," said KEDA Director Paul Nevanen. "We know there are people that would love to move back to the area given the right set of circumstances. This program provides a means to identify them, and try to connect them with current or future opportunities. And, it's a great way to let prospective employers looking at the area that we've got a qualified and committed pool of employees that would be available."
Nevanen also noted that the response to the program has been strong and that former residents from around the country with a variety of backgrounds have responded.
To start Your Ticket Home is easy and takes only a minute. Simply go to our website -
www.yourtickethome.biz - and enter your (and, if applicable your spouse's) information.
