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Local presenter proposes small youth entrepreneurship pilot to Lindstrom EDA
Summary
Anne Nelson outlined a pilot entrepreneurship class for 8–12 students, focused on hands-on curriculum, community mentors and pitch events; she asked only for EDA feedback now and said she is not seeking city funding at this stage.
Anne Nelson, a resident and former statewide rural business director who said she teaches entrepreneurship, presented a pilot "Next Generation Entrepreneurs" program to the Lindstrom Economic Development Authority on the agenda's first item.
Nelson said the pilot would start as a small class — "maybe 8 to 12 students" — using a business model canvas, improv-style activities and community mentors so students can prototype ideas and practice pitching. "I use a lot of improv style activities that get them to develop confidence and be able to speak in front of people," she told the EDA.
She said the presentation was for awareness and feedback only and that she was not asking the EDA for direct taxpayer funding at this time. Nelson described possible partnerships with the county EDA and the community center, and said she has discussed the concept with local schools and DECA leaders to differentiate the offering from existing programs.
EDA members and staff pressed on structure and logistics. The city administrator noted the EDA typically cannot give money to an individual and recommended Nelson consider working with a nonprofit or creating a contractor-style agreement so an organization could receive funds and provide reporting. Members raised venue and age-range questions and encouraged Nelson to develop a short proposal with a five-year vision and measurable outcomes.
Next steps: Nelson agreed to work with city staff and bring a more detailed proposal to a future EDA meeting, including a description of services, possible partners and a budget. The presentation and initial discussion were recorded in the meeting transcript (presentation began SEG 075 and continued through SEG 599).
