1. Forward Fergus Falls
Telework Initiative
Dave Bickett, GM/CEO
Park Region Telephone/Otter Tail Telcom/Valley Telephone
dave.bickett@parkregion.com
218.826.8311
2. • History
– Business leaders in the Fergus Falls
community formed Forward Fergus Falls to
establish “destiny drivers” or goals the
community as a whole would strive for in
order to provide momentum and direction for
the future of the community.
– 10 Drivers
3. • Driver: Promote the area as Telework
Ready
– Promote Fergus Falls and the surrounding
area’s broadband infrastructure, creating
opportunity for employment in a time when
our community was losing local employers
and manufacturing.
– Utilize and promote the assets of the
community as a great place to live and have
your dream job.
4. • MTA Telework Program acted as a spring
board for our initiative.
• Fergus Falls EDA jointly attended MTA’s
Telework Program with company
executives.
• Created the excitement we needed –
United Healthcare was key.
5. • In December 2010, Forward Fergus Falls
applied for and received a Blandin Grant
of $5,000 to aid in startup of the telework
initiative.
• Intentions:
– Develop a website for Forward Fergus Falls
and the telework initiative
– Educate the public and businesses on the
potentials of telework
6. • Create our own Fergus Falls Telework
Summit – Summer 2011
– Invite businesses who have established
telework programs and looking for teleworkers
– Invite businesses looking to establish a
telework program
– Invite people interested in telework
employment
• Promote Fergus Falls as the “Telework
Capital of Minnesota”
7.
8.
9. • Summit 2011
– Something for everyone
– Advertised through MTA,
MN HR Association,
chamber, radio and print
ads
– 90+ in attendance
including Blue Cross-
Blue Shield and
Microsoft!
– Picked up by 3 local TV
news affiliates
10.
11. • Began work on website. Wanted to create
a centralized location for employers and
employees to come together.
• Worked with DEED on their site and
garnished input from them regarding our
effort.
• www.fergusfallstelework.com was created!
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. • Gaining national attention
– Received inquiry from a group in Washington
who was attempting a similar initiative
– Well-known employers from as far as
California calling stating they had read an
article detailing our effort and were interested
in having their company listed on the website
as an employer in search of teleworkers
17. • Keeping the momentum – what’s next??
• Prepare for Summit 2012
• Develop radio advertising campaign centered on
telework employment opportunities
• Begin discussions on how Forward Fergus Falls
can work with local business to establish a
“Telework Hotel”
• Develop a video clip highlighting the Fergus
Falls area
18. • Agenda largely
prepared by MN DEED
office in Fergus Falls in
cooperation with
Fergus Falls Economic
Improvement and Park
Region Telephone/
Otter Tail Telcom
• 60+ in attendance
19. • In second quarter 2012, Forward Fergus
Falls launched the “Fergus Falls Telework
Minute” radio campaign
– Features telework opportunities for listeners
– Program is scheduled to run for 6 months
• Currently running telework ads weekly in
local newspaper using Flexjob resources
20. • Local business leader steps up to
establish the telework hotel
– Offers office space, conference rooms, office
equipment, etc., by the day, hour, month, and
year
• Hotel concept has expanded to now act
also as a business incubator sight
21. • Currently has the following tenants:
– Medical field/medical coder
– Non-profit/2-field staffers
– Retail Fortune 100/field staffer
– Company offices for Green Sneakers/6 staff and a
director
– Commercial bus company/6 people
– SBDC Regional Satellite office
– Comfort Keepers/1-2 field staffers (pending)
• Economic Impact Estimate: $400-$450K
in payroll
22.
23. • Overall impacts of the Telework Initiative
– Established Telework Hotel/Business incubator - $400-
$450K in payroll
– Have major insurance company looking at establishing
local office to employ 50 due to contacts through the
telework program
– Attracted 2 major fortune 500 companies who have hired
teleworkers and created at least 4 new jobs
– Deals pending for more telework jobs within regional
companies
– Telework (full/part-time) job estimates in the Fergus Falls
area – 350+ and growing with an estimated payroll of over
$9 million
24. • Conclusion by some – nothing more to do
• Conclusion by others – we’re only
beginning
• Conclusion by all – a very successful and
beneficial initiative for Forward Fergus
Falls, filling an employment need while
attracting new potential teleworkers to our
area. After all, who wouldn’t want to work
in God’s country!
25. Questions??
Thank you.
I want to close with the video clip developed
to advertise the Fergus Falls area to
attract people to live and work in our area.
26. Dave Bickett, GM/CEO
Park Region Telephone/Otter Tail Telcom/Valley Telephone
dave.bickett@parkregion.com
218.826.8311
