AUTHORITY BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP

S I S T E R C I T I E S

S A I N T P A U L - N E U S S

Two cities with a similar economic complextion

Barges are loaded in Neuss, which is a port city like Saint Paul, in the heart of Germany's industrial Ruhr Valley.

A Mississippi River barge makes its way down-river for loading at the Port Authority's Red Rock Industrial Center.

Between lighthearted comments about the weather and time-zone differences, German and Minnesota leaders forged a business partnership recently that will produce much more than an exchange of memorabilia and a couple of trips overseas.

A January teleconference at the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce formed the next step in a partnership, created in November, between Saint Paul and Neuss, Germany -- two cities with a similar economic complexion. Both have strong industrial and high-tech manufacturing bases and workforces.

In June, a German delegation will visit Saint Paul and lead a seminar here on how to do business in Germany. Both sides will exchange lists of companies wanting to do business -- whether it is sales, distribution, or manufacturing -- in each other's markets. The result, Saint Paul Port Authority President Ken Johnson says, will be a healthier economy for both cities.

Among the incentives for German companies to do business in Saint Paul, are vibrant economies

top-notch educational and vocational training systems, and a strong workforce.

The Neuss delegation on line for the teleconference included chamber and city officials. Dieter Porschen, Georg Ficke, and Wolfram Lasseur represented the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, North Rhine Region. Klaus Gravemann is director of the City of Neuss' economic

affairs, and Manfred Dremer is the communications and public relations director for the 3M Co.'s Neuss operations.

The local effort, headed by Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, is comprised of the Port's Johnson, chamber President Larry Dowell; retired 3M executive Vince Ruane; Joan Thompson, executive vice president of Minnesota Wire and Cable Co., and Renate Sharp, an attorney with the law firm of Peters, Jeddeloh & Skelly.

Three committees make up the Saint Paul effort:

Business Development and Trade, chaired by Dowell, with members John Labosky, executive director of the Capital City Partnership; Eric Mische, the mayor's director of strategic planning; Karin Nelson, of the Minnesota Trade Office; Ruane; Sharp; and Paula Zirbes, the Port's vice president of business development.

Education and Workforce development, chaired by Thompson, with members Dowell, Mike Campbell, of the mayor's office; Heino Bechmen, a University of St. Thomas professor; and Gisela Knoetig, a Saint Paul resident who once resided in Neuss.

Cultural Events and Exchanges, chaired by Maureen Watson, of the mayor's office; Lois West Duffy, of the Minnesota Arts Board; Thomas Schick, director of Rhinefest; and Sharp.

Delegation members also discussed more immediate plans to offer cultural and apprenticeship exchanges between the two cities beginning in September.

"There has been a lot of sincere interest in these exchanges," said Thompson, who along with Johnson and Dowell visited Neuss in November.

Zirbes, who will visit Neuss in March, said Saint Paul and Minneapolis are particularly attractive to foreign investors because of its productive and educated workforce and hefty economic output.

According to a recent Fortune magazine executive survey, the Twin Cities is the second best metro labor market in the United States. Statistically, Minnesota workers are highly productive, healthy and hard working.

And the Twin Cities is the 8th largest exporter among US metropolitan areas, and two years ago topped the list of most financially secure large metropolitan areas, according to the ReliaStar Financial Corp's The Best Cities to Earn and Save Money.

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, home to Northwest/KLM Airlines, also provides passenger services to 400 cities in 80 countries with direct routes to Amsterdam, a hub for easy travel to Germany.

"There is no question that this process will work well on our side," Dowell assured the German delegation.

The next teleconference between the two delegations will occur in April.

For more information call Jean Martens at the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, 651-265-2773; or Paula Zirbes, at the Saint Paul Port Authority, 651-224-5686.