Economic Development Intern

The City of Faribault Community and Economic Development Department seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Economic Development Intern to assist with various initiatives supporting local businesses and economic growth. This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in economic development, focusing on business retention, expansion, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.Key Responsibilities:
Faribault Sustainable Development Initiative

• Data Collection and Analysis: Conduct in-depth research on sustainable development opportunities, including renewable energy projects, eco-industrial networks, and green business clusters.
• Partnership Development: Identify and engage potential partners, such as universities, private sector leaders, and non-profits, to support the initiative's goals.
• Reporting and Recommendations: Prepare reports and presentations on findings, offering actionable recommendations to align development initiatives with Faribault’s sustainability objectives.

Business Retention and Expansion (BRE)

• Coordinate and Schedule Visits: Organize and maintain a structured schedule of visits with small and large businesses in Faribault to assess their needs and provide support.
• Preparation and Reporting: Develop materials for BRE meetings and produce detailed reports summarizing findings, trends, and actionable recommendations.
• Feedback Documentation: Systematically collect and analyze feedback to identify common challenges and potential opportunities, informing economic development strategies.
• Survey Design and Data Analysis: Create, distribute, and analyze surveys to gather quantitative and qualitative insights into business needs, challenges, and opportunities. Leverage data to inform program development and policy recommendations.
• Action Implementation: Support the rollout of action items resulting from BRE visits, collaborating with stakeholders to address business concerns and improve retention rates.

Entrepreneurship Development and Support

• Program Coordination: Assist in designing and managing initiatives that support entrepreneurs, including workshops, mentorship opportunities, and access to funding resources.
• Resource Promotion: Actively promote local, state, and federal resources available to entrepreneurs, ensuring awareness of grant programs, loans, and technical assistance.
• Outreach and Relationship Building: Build strong relationships with emerging and established entrepreneurs to better understand their needs and provide tailored support.

General Economic Development Support

• Economic Analysis: Research and analyze data on local and regional economic trends, industry growth sectors, and workforce needs to inform planning efforts.
• Communications Support: Draft newsletters, social media content, and outreach materials to keep stakeholders informed and engaged with economic development activities.
• Team Collaboration: Work with department staff on additional projects and initiatives, providing insights and operational support to advance Faribault’s economic priorities.

Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s program in any field 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Must have completed at least 1 statistics course and 1 economics course
• Preferably has completed a research methods course but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Preference for candidates with language skills in Spanish and Somali 
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Familiarity with economic development principles or community engagement is preferred but not required.

Salary : $15