NewPublica Co-Founders Melisa Franzen and Alberto Monserrate in their Uptown Office (2909 Bryant Ave S).
NewPublica is a
full-service public relations and communications agency founded in July 2014 by
Alberto Monserrate and Melisa Franzen. Proudly Latino-owned, NewPublica focuses
on new and underserved audiences. Their
services include mainstream and ethnic media relations, community relations in
audiences of color, media development, event planning, and graphic design.
Although NewPublica works with all types of businesses, they
specialize in work for clients with civic motivations. They’ve worked with
local nonprofits and organizations including Comunidades
Latinas En Servicios (CLUES), The Minneapolis Foundation,
and the Latino Economic Development Center.
In addition, NewPublica has provided marketing support for a range of City
programs including the Business
Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP), the Co-Op Technical Assistance
Program (C-TAP), and the Minority and Women
Owned Businesses Opportunity Fair.
While NewPublica is happy remaining a small but tight-knit
agency of 12 employees, they predict they will experience a natural growth and
have plans to begin working with international clients.
Top: A child participates in an artist station at the North Commons Park Open House, Bottom Left: Stations at Midtown Global Market Open House, Bottom Right: Artist Eric Avery (Right) hosts an artist station at the North Commons Park
Last month, the City held two open houses to gather
community feedback for Minneapolis 2040, an update to the City’s Comprehensive
Plan. The events were held at Midtown Global Market on October 25 and North
Commons Park on October 27, where attendees participated in a variety of
interactive, artist-designed stations that reflected elements of the plan
including transportation, jobs, housing, the environment, and equity.
The planning process for Minneapolis 2040 kicked off in
April at the City’s Community Connection Conference. Since then, City staff have participated in nine events and festivals to raise awareness of the
Comprehensive Planning process. Currently, the engagement focus is shifting
into more in-depth policy questions. In addition to the open house events, City
staff has participated in other community dialogues and surveys to help City
staff draft policy framework, which will be brought back to the community for
discussion in Spring 2017. The final Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan will
be submitted to the Metropolitan Council in 2018.
For more information or to leave your feedback for
Minneapolis 2040, click here.
To stay
up to date on the latest Minneapolis 2040 news and event information follow us
on Twitter @Mpls2040 and share your feedback using the hashtag #MplsBigIdeas
Mayor Betsy Hodges (Left) speaking at New French Bakery
New French Bakery was thrilled and honored to welcome Mayor
Hodges for a visit on Friday, October 14th. Mayor Hodges commended
New French for the pride employees take in exceptional quality – not only in
bakery products, but also in a highly diverse, supportive workplace culture.
Established in 1995, New French Bakery quickly became a
leading provider of artisan bread products throughout the Twin Cities
area. Over the past five years, New
French Bakery experienced enormous growth throughout the country. Manufacturing at two Minneapolis locations,
the recent surge in product demand resulted in the addition of over 300
full-time positions across both Minneapolis plants.
To fill openings, New French Bakery works proactively with
City of Minneapolis Employment and Training division, a division of Community
Planning and Economic Development (CPED).
During a recent, one-day on-site hiring event, the company met its
hiring goals and attained an 80% diversity rate through this hiring
partnership.
Diane Erdman, Director of
Human Resources, stated, “I have worked in HR and recruited for over 15 years
in multiple states and suburban areas. Minneapolis has been one of the best
recruiting sources for finding new employees who are available and want to
work.”
The City has also provided loan and bond financing for development of their facilities through its Business Development programs.
|
|
Barbara worked at Ameriprise Financial for 14 years as a mail room machine operator when her Eagan worksite was outsourced. With little education, Barbara didn’t have many job choices so she decided to change careers. She paid a visit to the Minneapolis South WorkForce Center and learned she was eligible for the Dislocated Workers Program.
Barbara worked on a career plan with Workforce Center counselor Abdirashid Isse, who helped her write a resume, set career goals, and find college funding. He also offered encouragement and lots of positive advice.
|
Barbara decided that she wanted to work in a hospital setting and found
a certificate course for surgical technician. The WorkForce Center helped her with
funding to attend a six month course which she successfully completed with a
3.75 GPA.
During her internship, Barbara received two job offers at very good
pay. Barbara said that she would never have been able to attend college without
the help of the Minneapolis South WorkForce Center.
On October 28, community leaders and residents gathered to celebrate
the groundbreaking for the Cedar Riverside Opportunity Center scheduled to open
in spring 2017. The Center is located in the new Five 15 on the Park apartment
building.
Key goals of the Center include tackling the neighborhood’s high
unemployment rate and increasing the East African community’s access to educational
programs.
According to Minneapolis City Council member Abdi Warsame, whose ward
includes the Center, “We need every resident here to have a good job with a
livable wage, and this Opportunity Center will help us get there.”
Anchor partners include EMERGE Community Development, Minneapolis
Community and Technical College, Hennepin County Workforce Development,
Hennepin County Library and the City of Minneapolis.
Employers with a recruiting presence at the Center will include
Hennepin County, Fairview Health Services, Hennepin County Medical Center, the
City of Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, Augsburg College and St.
Catherine University.
News
Release
On Friday, October 14, 2016, the City of Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board (MPRB) closed their request for qualifications period
(RFQ) for submissions for the Upper Harbor Terminal Phase 1 redevelopment. The
City and MPRB have goals to redevelop the site (located on the west bank of the
Mississippi River from 33rd Ave N to 40th Ave N) from
its original use as a barge shipping terminal to a combination of riverfront
parkland and inland private development.
The City and MPRB received one “master developer” submission
from a team comprised of United Properties, THOR Development and First Ave
Productions, which was shared at a community input meeting on Thursday,
November 3. A City/Park Board Recommendation Committee will review community feedback from the meeting an and online survey to help them make a recommendation to City Council and the Park Board to determine
whether the development team will be selected to enter a collaborative planning
process with the City and MPRB, which may begin by March of 2017.
For more information about the site, goals and RFQ process,
click here.
|