ALBERT LEA, Minn. (KTTC) -- Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Katie Clark-Sieben was the keynote speaker at the annual Greater Jobs, Inc. meeting in Albert Lea. The mission of Greater Jobs, Inc. is to attract businesses and quality employment opportunities.
Clark-Sieben said when organizations like Greater Jobs, Inc. work with local businesses, they increase their global potential.
"It's already happening here in this community through Greater Jobs, Inc.," said Clark-Sieben. "They [businesses] should be sharing information, meeting regularly, thinking about how to promote this community as a great place that's open for business."
The community may be open for business, but finding employees may be another issue.
"We also need to make sure that we have a skilled work force -- one of the reasons companies are coming to Minnesota and interested in moving their company to Minnesota," said Clark-Sieben.
Many young professionals are attracted to areas like Albert Lea and Austin because of the new opportunities in town. Adam Rozendaal is a nursing student at Riverland Community and Technical College. Rozendaal plans to begin his career in southern Minnesota by applying to hospitals, such as Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin.
"Everybody around here, knows somebody who knows somebody, who knows somebody and they all pull in all this great experience," said Rozendaal. "I'll start contacting these people and start trying to figure out where exactly I'm gong to plant roots."
Roots that may begin in cities like Austin and Albert Lea, where the opportunities continue to grow.
