The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 11, 2008

Local leaders Vermont-bound

Burlington the destination for inter-city trip

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — In past years, the search for comparable cities to Mankato has led to a pair of selections — Bellingham, Wash. (pop. 75,150) and Fort Collins, Colo. (pop. 129,467) — that were educational but less than ideal for comparison.

Next spring’s destination of Burlington, Vt., was chosen in part because it’s so similar to Mankato, said Barb Embacher, vice president of Greater Mankato Growth, which organizes the visits.

She estimates that 100 area business, nonprofit, government and religious leaders will make the April 25 to 28 Inter-city Leadership Visit trip, which is meant to bring good ideas to Mankato and promote cooperation among those on the visit.

One of Burlington’s biggest selling points is its similarity to Mankato, Embacher said.

Besides the demographic likeness, both have smaller counterparts to the north. North Burlington has about 18,000 people.

There’s a strong post-secondary presence with the roughly 11,000-student University of Vermont, the climate is similar and the city is surrounded by agriculture.

It’s also the home of the Burlington Free Press newspaper.

“It was a beautiful city,” said Embacher, who visited Burlington last month.

A few differences: Burlington has an elected mayor who acts as an administrator, whereas Mankato’s City Council appoints an executive to run the city. And Burlington sits on the shores of historic Lake Champlain.

Delegates hope to return with new ideas on three major themes.

“One of the things they’re proud of is environmental friendliness,” Embacher said.

There’s an emphasis on energy independence, organic farming, low-impact building design, recycling and fitness trails.

Downtown vitality, a perennial topic, will also be a theme.

Burlington’s downtown, especially Church Street, has managed to merge specialty shops with national retailers, a feat Mankato tried but failed to accomplish.

Finally, skilled labor development and retention efforts are suffering from “brain drain,” a problem in both cities. More culture and entrepreneurship development have been noted as ways to entice the so-called “creative class.”

Embacher said the cost of the invitation-only trip isn’t yet determined. In past years, business people have subsidized the travel costs for nonprofit and government leaders.

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