Opening for our February Presentation, Justin Erickson will speak about communities in the Midwest that are looking for partnership opportunities and what they have to offer to companies open to exploring options with them.
For 15 years Justin Erickson has run an economic development site selection business.  Much of his work revolves around a platform called Community Venture Network (CVN).
 
CVN bridges the gap between growing businesses and over 100 non-metro communities spread across 7 states (MN, IA, WI, ND, SD, NE and MO).  Many companies find metro markets to be too costly, lacking quality labor, feeling they have no civic/government support and thus can't be successful.  In turn, there are communities across the Midwest who offer a substantially lower operating cost environment, a labor force that wants to work, significant public and private financing and incentive programs and a gratitude to those who create jobs and pay taxes, something many metro areas take for granted.
 
Underwritten by communities, CVN provides a platform by which companies can connect with communities, explore options and determine if there are partnership opportunities - incurring no cost or significant time invested.
 
Justin will speak about who these communities are, what they are looking for and what they have to offer to companies open to exploring options with them.