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IEDC forms volunteer subcommittee to plan Manufacturer’s Appreciation Event, explores sponsorships and speakers
Summary
Monticello’s Industrial Economic Development Committee agreed to form a volunteer subcommittee to design a Manufacturer’s Appreciation Event, favoring a midday lunch format, exploring sponsorship funding and potential hosting at a UMC campus; staff will convene the planning group before the next meeting.
Jim Thares, the city’s Economic Development Manager, provided an overview of prior discussion and opened planning for a Manufacturer’s Appreciation Event aimed at local manufacturers and suppliers.
Members expressed a clear preference for an afternoon or midday lunch event rather than a morning breakfast, and recommended printing informational notecards to support networking before formal “save the date” mailings. Chairperson Mike Huey and Vice-Chair Rob Stark emphasized content that is directly useful to manufacturers: speakers with practical, educational information such as state and local loan and grant programs and workforce training topics.
Charlotte Gabler (City Council) suggested including workers trained at the technical college to highlight workforce pipelines. Rob Stark warned that hiring a professional keynote speaker could exceed the available budget and proposed pursuing sponsorships (banners, signage, logos on giveaways) to offset costs. Thares reported that UMC had previously conflicted with past dates but remains supportive and offered to explore hosting the event on its Chelsea Road campus.
The committee agreed to form a volunteer planning subcommittee to refine logistics, speaker selection and funding. Volunteers who offered to serve were Sonja McElroy, Rob Stark, Mike Huey, Sarah Kortmansky and Deb Meyer; Lori Hanson offered to participate as her schedule permits. Thares said he will organize and convene the subcommittee and report back with recommendations prior to the next IEDC meeting.
The discussion emphasized informational content for attendees and practical funding options rather than a formal promotional program. No formal motion or vote on event funding was recorded; the next steps are subcommittee planning and a staff report to the IEDC.
