Join Greater Mankato Growth for our upcoming July and August Public Affairs Forums:

•  Saving Money by Saving Energy on July 28
•  Top of the Class: Improving Education in Minnesota on August 19

These events bring together compelling speakers and business leaders to discuss timely and relevant political and policy issues.
July Forum: Saving Money by Saving Energy
July 28, 7:30 – 9:30 am | Country Inn & Suites Mankato

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to drive a better bottom line at your business and home is to use less energy. Attend this breakfast forum to learn more about how you can save money by saving energy. Joe Sullivan, Manager of Strategic Relations for the Minnesota Center for Energy and Environment, will provide a keynote address outlining opportunities for businesses and homeowners to audit their current energy use, identify ways to save energy, and take advantage of cost-effective ways to leverage state- and utility- provided programs like utility rebates, grants and low-interest financing. Following Joe’s presentation, there will be a panel discussion featuring representatives from our local utility providers (Xcel, BENCO, CenterPoint) who will discuss in further detail energy efficiency programs available in our area and answer your questions. Get more information and register here.

August Forum: Top of the Class: Improving Education in Minnesota
August 19, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Greater Mankato Growth

Minnesota has consistently ranked as one of the best states in the nation for education. However, much improvement is still needed to ensure that every Minnesota student graduates ready for college or a career and businesses have the talent they need to thrive. As a result of this urgent need to improve our education pipeline, there has been rapid change in the education policy landscape over the past few years. In 2013, Minnesota passed the Worlds Best Workforce law that requires every school district in the state to make strides to increase student performance. And just last year, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, replacing the Bush-era No Child Left Behind Act.

In Greater Mankato, the Mankato Area Public Schools have seen their student enrollment increase over 16% in the last 10 years – eclipsing 8,000 students for the first time this school year. As our public schools undergo the transitions demanded of them by new laws, growing enrollment and the need to improve educational attainment, it is critical that business leaders keep abreast of these changes and play a leading role in engaging with our schools to help ensure the success of their future workforce. You will want to take this opportunity to attend and join in this important discussion. Get more information and register here.

Support a forum event and your business will be seen by area business leaders. Here are just a few of the benefits of being a sponsor:

• Premier placement of your logo on promotional materials
• Live thank you at the event you host
• Logo on our online event page with a link to your website

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a Greater Mankato Growth Forum Series, please click here.