Training Opportunities in the Area

Thanks to Denise Myhrberg, Business Service Specialist at the MN Workforce Center for calling these trainning opportunites to our attention. I hope they are helpful to you.

Harassment Investigation

The investigation process is perhaps the most critical element in dealing with harassment. 

Do you know how to conduct an investigation? Has your investigator been trained?

How to Conduct Harassment Investigation Training – Dr. Susan Strauss

Thursday, November 15, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. AND

Friday, November 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center – 3^rd Floor Classrooms, Marshall MN

Total Cost:   $49.00    Credit:  10.5 clock hours/1.0 CEU’s/12 contact hours.

(Applications have been made for MN BENHA, the HR Certification Institute and MN board of Social Work)

Seminar coordinated by DEED, MN WorkForce Centers, Medi-Sota, MN West Community & Technical College

 

Minnesota OSHA – Workplace Safety Seminar

·         Recordkeeping: OSHA 300 Log

·         Safety Incentives

·         Workplace Consultations

·         Question & Answer period

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 

Registration: 12:30 p.m. Seminar:  1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lyon County Government Center, 3^rd Floor, Rooms 4 & 5

Cost:  $15.00   

 

Foundations of Intercultural Competence: Leadership Workshop - Phyllis Braxton, PINK Consulting, LLC 

(SHRM, Nursing, Nursing Home Administrator and Social Work CEUs available)

This interactive workshop is designed to teach:

Ø  cultural self-awareness,

Ø  cultural general information

Ø  tools to be more effective across cultural differences and commonalities   

This workshop will take place on Monday, October 29, 2012 at the Arrowwood Conference Center, Wimbledon Room in Okoboji, IA from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Click for the agenda, brochure and online registration .  For more information contact Roxanne Hayenga, Minnesota West – Worthington Campus at 507-372-3468 or roxanne.hayenga@mnwest.edu.  

Minnesota West Community & Technical College is hosting Foundations of Intercultural Competence; Leadership Workshop in partnership with Iowa Workforce Development Centers, Iowa State University Extension, and SHRM.

 

Still room in the remaining sessions of the Marshall Area Learn to Lead Leadership Series

Series offered through MN West & Ridgewater College, Marshall Chamber & DEED

The series has started but we would like to see more of you! 

If you are interested in these individual classes at $49.00 each, we will let you bring a co-worker with for $30.00 per class. Use class code MERIT for the reduced rate when registering a co-worker.

Upcoming classes:

October 29: Understanding Situational Leadership Styles

November 5: Self-motivation, Inspiration & Drive: How to Stay Fired Up Every Day N

November 19: Discovering Your Natural Talents & Genetic Skills for High Performance

December 3: Generating More Business for Free with Outstanding Customer Service

December 10: Speed Reading and Memory Skills

1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Marshall MERIT Center

1001 West Erie Road (County Road 33)

Marshall, MN 56258

To register, visit www.ridgewater.edu/customized-training and click on “Register for Classes.”

 

Please contact me with questions or if you’re not able to access the information.   

Thanks and hope you can attend more or more of these training/learning opportunities! 

 

Denise Myhrberg/Business Service Specialist

Department of Employment and Economic Development

Lyon County Government Center, 607 W. Main St., Marshall, MN  56258

Phone:  507-537-6236    Cell:  507-829-5134    TTY:  507-537-7280

www.PositivelyMinnesota.com

Compressed Air Workshops

Jackson Municipal Utilities Questline

MRES Offers Compressed Air System Workshop

MRES is happy to announce the return of its Compressed Air System Workshop. Last offered in 2003 and 2004, this opportunity allows your business to empower employees with the knowledge they need to help improve your operating costs. Several workshops are scheduled in an MRES member community near you to minimize your travel and expense.

 

Sioux Center, Iowa on Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Watertown, SD on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Moorhead, MN on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Alexandria, MN, first quarter of 2013, date to be determined later

Worthington, MN, first quarter of 2013, date to be determined later

Denison, IA, first quarter of 2013, date to be determined later

This one-day workshop will help businesses who have compressed air systems of any size understand best practices for operating and maintaining their systems. They will learn practical ways to reduce their compressed air costs, improve air system reliability, and increase productivity while they decrease air usage. The workshop is taught by one of the country’s top experts in compressed air systems, Hank van Ormer, president of Air Power USA. This workshop is a great opportunity to provide your business with practical, energy saving information at the low cost of $109 per person. The workshop fee includes lunch, breaks, and a two-volume set of workbooks.
 

Who Should Attend?

 

Plant and Energy Engineers learn how to estimate the true cost of operating air systems, create standards for system design, and apply new technologies to improve quality and management of air systems. 

Plant Operators & Maintenance Personnel learn how to develop effective maintenance programs, diagnose common air system problems, and reduce costs.

Building Owners & Managers learn how to improve reliability while reducing air costs.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH COMPRESSED AIR LEAKS ARE COSTING YOU?

 
Compressed air isn’t FREE! It should be looked upon as a utility much like water, electricity and gas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, compressed air is the most costly utility in your business today. It is estimated that average industrial customers waste 20% to 30% of their compressed air to leaks. Look at how much compressed air leaks may be costing you:

*Note: Annual Costs were calculated using 100 psig air, and average energy rate of $0.08/kWh, and assuming 6,000 annual operating hours and 4.0 cfm/bhp.

 
Air Loss (cfm)       Equivalent Orifice Size   Annual Cost*

16                                           1/8"                           $1,432

63                                           1/4"                           $5,640

143                                         1/8"                          $12,801

Register for the Compressed Air System Workshop in one of four ways:

 

1. Internet —  www.brightenergysolutions.com/informationcenter/calendarofevents/

2. Phone—(800) 678-4042

3. Fax—(605) 978-9393

4. Mail: Missouri River Energy Services, PO Box 88920, Sioux Falls, SD 57109-8920

5. Make checks payable to: Missouri River Energy Services

Jackson Municipal Utilities Questline has been prepared solely for the purpose of providing helpful information to users of this service. The information has been compiled by Questline, a contractor to Jackson Municipal Utilities; however, no representation is made by either Questline or Jackson Municipal Utilities as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained therein. In particular, some information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may be out of date. In addition, neither Questline nor Jackson Municipal Utilities endorses any product or service mentioned therein.

Interested in Learning More About Business in MN?

Have you ever wondered where you can get information about exporting your products, events that could help your business be more successful, programs that can help your employees get additional training? Here is a web site that provides a calendar of events for all of these and more. You can subscribe to an RSS feed and have new posts to the calendar show up on your homepage.
Check it out: http://positivelyminnesota.com/Newsroom/RSS_Feeds/index.aspx

20-Year Highway Investment Plan

You may be interested in participating in this meeting on October 11th in Mankato. If you rely on the highway system to move goods and people in or out of your business, you should find a way to have input on this process.

MnDOT to host meetings on 20-year highway investment plan

The public and transportation stakeholders are invited to participate in developing the 20-year Minnesota State Highway Investment Plan at meetings across the state Oct. 4-23. 

Public input at these meetings is one of several important factors that will influence the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s priorities over the next 20 years.

Each meeting is three hours long and begins with an overview presentation and public input session. An open house will follow, with opportunities to engage in interactive exercises and with MnDOT staff. Meeting details are below: 

The closest meeting to Jackson County will take place in Mankato on Monday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at MnDOT District 7 Headquarters.

Visit the MnSHIP website at www.mndot.gov/planning/statehighwayinvestmentplan for additional involvement opportunities, including:

•             Provide your opinion online by visiting the “Interactive Scenario Tool” tab.

•             Watch recorded webinars covering the plan approach, projected revenue, description of the 10 investment categories and overview of scenario planning. This is available on the “Participate” tab.

•             Read key background information detailing the trade-offs associated with investing at certain levels in each of the 10 investment categories. This is available on the “Investment Categories & Approaches” tab.

•        Review the Investment Approaches Folio describing the three approaches to be discussed at the October stakeholder engagement meetings. This is available on the “Investment Categories & Approaches” tab.

•             Receive periodic updates via email (approximately one per month). Follow the link and instructions on the “Participate” tab.

•             Follow the plan on Twitter @minnesotago and Facebook, www.facebook.com/MinnesotaGO.

MnSHIP connects the Minnesota GO 50-year vision and policies established in the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan to capital improvements on the state highway system. A primary outcome of the plan is to establish priorities for spending projected capital revenue.

Any additional inquiries can be directed to the project manager, Ryan Wilson, MnDOT Office of Capital Programs and Performance Measures, at (651) 366-3537 or ryan.wilson@state.mn.us.

Winter is coming! Are you ready?

Jackson Municipal Utilities Questline

 

 

 

 

 

Gearing Up for Winter: Efficiency Upgrades and Building Maintenance

Key Points

Heating system maintenance, as well as duct sealing and insulation can optimize system efficiency.

Maintenance practices and efficiency upgrades can significantly reduce boiler fuel consumption.

Proper insulation and weatherization can reduce heating costs and increase building comfort.

Space heating accounts for more than 35% of the total energy used in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of

Energy. If your facility is not ready, winter heating costs can really impact your bottom line. Do not get left out in the cold, take the

following steps to improve building comfort and keep your heating system operating at peak efficiency.

Heating System
If you use a furnace or packaged-rooftop unit to heat your building, these actions will help you optimize system performance:
 

Tune up. Have your heating system inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician. This will help to spot any problems and ensure that your system is running at peak performance.

 

Filters. Change filters throughout your facility at the start of the heating season and each month thereafter. Dirty filters make your heating system work harder and result in lower indoor air quality.

 

Seal leaks. Leaky ductwork can have a serious impact on heating system efficiency, costing your facility energy dollars and reducing occupant comfort. Regularly inspect your ductwork for leaks and seal with mastic tape.

 

Insulate ducts. Heat radiating through ductwork can result in a significant amount of energy loss, even when ducts are properly sealed. Ductwork insulation can keep thermal energy from escaping, increasing the overall efficiency of your heating system.

 

Clean. Regularly clean ductwork and registers. This will help to improve building comfort and indoor air quality. Keep areas around registers unobstructed by furniture or equipment. This will help to ensure proper heating system distribution.

Boiler Maintenance and Operation

Facilities that use boilers for space heating must address their unique operational requirements to optimize energy efficiency and building comfort. While regular maintenance and annual cleaning and inspections are the best ways to keep your boiler operating at peak performance, the following are some additional energy-saving strategies:

 

Proper boiler insulation substantially improves system efficiency. Inspect boiler insulation and repair or replace any damaged or missing insulation.

 

High excess oxygen levels can waste heat and reduce boiler efficiency. Monitor the flue gas and adjust excess air to optimum levels.

 

Check steam traps for leaks; a leaking steam trap increases fuel consumption and wastes energy.

High carbon monoxide levels are a sign that combustion is incomplete and energy is being wasted. Make sure carbon monoxide levels are within acceptable limits of 200 parts per million (ppm).

 

Scale buildup in boiler tubes inhibits heat transfer, forcing the boiler to burn additional fuel. Check for and clean scale buildup off boiler tubes.

Energy-saving retrofits can substantially reduce boiler operating costs in winter and in the future. Installing a boiler economizer can

Source: www.energy.gov

increase boiler efficiency by capturing waste heat and using it to preheat boiler feedwater. Upgrading to energy-efficient burners will maximize combustion efficiency by maintaining a proper air-to-fuel mixture.

Around Your Facility

Your cold weather preparations should not stop with your heating system. There are a number of steps you can take throughout your

facility to reduce heat loss, increase comfort, and lower energy costs.

Weatherize

The most efficient heating system can be rendered less effective if a significant amount of heat is escaping through cracks or leaks in your building envelope. It is important to regularly weatherize windows and doors by filling cracks and weatherstripping around gaps where climate-controlled air can escape.

 

 

Install controls

Programmable thermostats or timers allow you to save energy by regulating temperatures according to building occupancy schedules. Your facility can save up to 2% on heating costs for each degree the temperature is lowered. Larger facilities should consider the installation of an integrated energy-management system.

Building insulation

Poor insulation will reduce heating system performance as well as occupant comfort. Wall and ceiling insulation is an effective way to save on heating costs and keep building occupants comfortable all winter long. The level of insulation will depend on the facility type as well as climate. Make sure your building insulation levels meet or exceed those recommended in

ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

By combining proper heating system maintenance with facility upgrades, you can minimize energy costs, while maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment.

Jackson Municipal Utilities Questline has been prepared solely for the purpose of providing helpful information to users of this service. The information has been compiled by Questline, a contractor to Jackson Municipal Utilities; however, no representation is made by either Questline or Jackson Municipal Utilities as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained therein. In particular, some information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may be out of date. In addition, neither Questline nor Jackson Municipal Utilities endorses any product or service mentioned therein.