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Congratulations!
To the CPP Award
Recipients.
This
year's Construction Partnering Program (CPP) Awards Reception was
held on October 8th at the beautiful Medtronic Moundsview
Campus. About 80 people (including Saint Paul Mayor Chris
Coleman) participated in recognizing this
year's construction achievements and the partnerships between
majority owned companies and minority owned companies.
The
goal of the Construction Partnering Program (CPP) is to partner
developing women and firms of color with larger, established
firms that can provide guidance, expertise and industry connections.
The CPP provides partners with increased access and opportunities for
learning, increased potential to bid on projects and jobs and opportunities
to network throughout the construction industry.
This year's award winners are:
Outstanding
Advocate Award: Claudia
Osterman
Best
Majority Partner:
Target Commercial Interiors
Best Minority
Partner:
DelPrado Commercial Flooring
CPP
Project of the Year: Regions Hospital Expansion/
/General Contractor: Kraus-Anderson
Construction
Best CPP
Relationship:
Parsons Electric and MTec Electric
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MEDA Board
Spotlight 
Burt Fealing,
Vice President,
Corporate Secretary and Chief Securities Counsel, SUPERVALU, Inc.
Burt Fealing joined the MEDA board in 2008 after learning about MEDA
through another board member. He liked MEDA's strong
reputation in business consulting and financing. He also felt MEDA's
mission was congruent with his values and the values of
SUPERVALU. "Diversity is an important component of our
community. We have undertaken an initiative to expand diversity
throughout our company and our suppliers."
In his first year Burt has already found MEDA more impressive than he
first thought. "MEDA not only reaches out to so many people in
the community, they also encourage clients to reach for a higher
level of business and MEDA supplies the resources for clients to
accomplish their goals." He also recognizes that MEDA's
work increases business revenues and the impact that has on job
creation, job retention and the tax base in tough economic
times.
Burt expressed how MEDA has allowed him to give back to the community
and encourages others to give back as well. He has been able to meet
a broader community and now has a higher awareness of what he can do
for the community.
In
the future Burt would like to see MEDA expand its message so everyone
is aware of the impact that MEDA has. Burt also envisions MEDA
reaching out and creating relationships with other organizations.
"MEDA should become a resource to the whole country," Burt
added.
Burt ended by saying "MEDA actually helps more than just
minority entrepreneurs and business owners. The whole community
benefits from MEDA's work, the minority and majority community."
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MEDA
Recognizes Deb LaBonne 
Last
year MEDA received a wonderful gift - the time and commitment from
Deb LaBonne. Through a great program at General Mills Deb was able to
join MEDA as a volunteer for 1 year. Deb has helped MEDA immensely
improve our information technology and helped make internal workflow
run smoother. Through her diligent research and implementation skills
as well as her training expertise with MEDA staff we are
now a more efficient and productive organization than
before.
Deb's
assignment at MEDA is almost complete and everyone here will miss her
tremendously. "She really is a part of the staff and so she will
leave a space that will be hard to fill," Gary Hobart says.
MEDA thanks Deb LaBonne for all of her expertise! Her
wonderful personality and tremendous skills will be truly
missed.
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MEDA Golf Invitational 
The
long tradition of making connections on the golf course is
part of the idea behind MEDA's 5th Annual Golf
Invitational. This event helps introduce MEDA clients to
new resources and to extend their networks.
The
golf invitational was held at the fabulous Legends Golf Course in
Prior Lake, MN and is sponsored by Fredrikson and Byron P.A.  The weather surprised us with lightening and thunder
but by afternoon it was sunny.
"Everyone
was making great use of the day. It's wonderful to see everyone
capitalizing on the opportunity to say hello to past
acquaintances and also to meet new business associates," said
MEDA consultant Kathleen Riopelle.
MEDA
would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors that made this year's
Golf Invitational so great.
Our
major sponsor was Fredrikson
and Byron P.A.
Target
Commercial Interiors, Xcel Energy, Hunt Electric, Thor Construction
and Parsons Electric also sponsored the event. Thank you!
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2008 Achievements Year To Date
523 entrepreneurs of
color made it their business to succeed with MEDA.
MEDA
approved $742,200
in new loans and helped secure an additional $9.4 million in loans
from area banks.
MEDA
helped start 17
new businesses that employ 77
people and have a projected first year revenue of $8.9 million.
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MEDA News
MEDA consultant
Edgardo Rodriguez was recognized at the recent 30th anniversary of the
Chicano Latino Affairs Council Dinner as a Latino making an impact in
the community.
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Upcoming Events
Join
us on November
15th for a wonderful night of food, dancing,
entertainment, and a great auction. All to support MEDA and helping entrepreneurs of color
succeed.
Featuring
Ragamala Dancers
Sitar
Player &
Henna Artists
Become
a MEDA Sponsor
------------------------
helping
all Minnesota businesses
pursue government
contracts
October 28th -
Treasure Island Resort and Casino
Minnesota Indian Business Conference and Showcase 2008, October 28-29,
November 6th
-Bloomington
DoD and SBA Mentor - Protege Programs
November 14th -
Minneapolis
Selling to the Government: Advanced Successful Strategies
November
19th - Minneapolis
ABC's of WBE Certification
November 20th - International Falls
Introduction to Government Contracting
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Thank you to our long time Media Sponsor
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