Local art programs stand to benefit from Target opening
By Randy Hanson
The Minneapolis-based retailer returns 5 percent of its annual taxable income to the communities in which it has stores. Currently, it is donating more than $1 million a week to local non-profit organizations. The two areas Target focuses its funding on are the arts and domestic violence prevention. A brochure distributed to the breakfast guests says the company likes to fund "art experiences that are family-oriented . such as art exhibits, classes and performances." The brochure adds, "Programs that bring arts to schools or school children to the arts are of particular interest to us." "It sounds like a brochure from The Phipps," Potter, executive director of The Phipps Center for the Arts, commented later. "Certainly, we're very happy for that." Potter expects the center to seek funding from Target for its children's theater and art gallery programs. Classes, concerts and community theater at The Phipps probably qualify for funding, too, if there is enough money to go around, he said. Potter also plans to take advantage of Target's Good Neighbor program that allows non-profit organizations to buy supplies at cost for special events. He was impressed that Store Team Leader Jackie Johnson and Good Neighbor Captain Mike Kimball had been down to tour The Phipps already. "The communication so far has been just terrific," Potter said. "I think they're (Target) a very welcome addition to the community." Bernth, superintendent of the Hudson School District, was pleased to hear about Target's Take Charge of Education program. Each of Target's close to 900 stores has two $1,000 scholarships to give to graduating high school seniors each year. Money also is available for teacher scholarships, arts in education, environmental education and school playgrounds. Target charge card holders can instruct the store to donate an amount equal to 1 percent of their purchases to the school of their choice. "My initial reaction is: great," Bernth said following the meeting about Target's community programs. "We try to work with all our community and retail people," Bernth said, noting that many Hudson businesses have supported the local schools over the years. Target's giving will encourage others to do more, he said. "It's nice. And the kids are the winners from all of that," he said. Target says it doesn't make grants to programs in communities that don't have a Target store; foundations, endowment funds or capital fund drives; religious organizations (although programs with religious affiliation are eligible if the program does not advocate religious beliefs); medical or health-related organizations; housing or rehabilitation programs; treatment programs; individuals; athletic teams or events; or fund-raisers or benefit tickets. About 20 local officials and representatives of nonprofit organizations were invited to the meeting at the store, which is still under construction. Included in the group were representatives of several agencies that offer programs to reduce domestic violence and prevent child abuse and neglect. Others attending included Hudson Mayor Jack Breault, City Administrator Brian Gramentz, YMCA Executive Director Tom Holland, Chamber of Commerce President Mary Claire Olson, Police Sgt. Marty Jensen, United Way Executive Director John Coughlin and his assistant, Connie Burch, and Rotary Club representative John Knutson. The store's management team was introduced at the start of the meeting. The guests then viewed a videotaped program about Target Stores, a division of Dayton Hudson Corp. Dayton Hudson, which also owns Mervyn's and Marshall Field stores, operates some 1,200 stores in 41 states. It is building about 70 Target stores a year. The long commercial described Target as "an upscale discount store" providing "better quality at lower prices." The typical Target shopper is a college-educated mother with a higher income than customers at other discount stores, the narrator said. Following the presentation on Target's grant program, the guests were led on tours of the building, scheduled to open Oct 10. "Oh, I'm so excited," gushed Jill Foley, one of the store's managers (they're all called executive team leaders) and a leader of one of the tour groups. Foley said the store will have a similar look to the Target Greatland store in Woodbury, Minn. It will feature an extra big music and video department, an in-store pharmacy with a restroom nearby, a large shoe department, an outdoor plant boutique and 18 checkout lanes equipped with flatbed scanners. Foley, a Hudson resident, said she is happy to be able to work where she lives. Other St. Croix County residents apparently want to do the same. The store interviewed 475 people during an Aug. 4-5 job fair at the Hudson House Inn. One hundred eighty of the applicants were hired for cashier, sales floor, stockroom, clerical and pricing positions. "It's amazing how many people I talked to when we were interviewing who said they didn't want to cross the (St. Croix) river to go to work. They'd rather stay closer to home," said Paul Kezar, the Hudson Target store's assets protection team leader. Kezar said he wasn't expecting many people to attend the job fair because one held for the Stillwater store wasn't well attended. "We were just totally surprised," he said. "We were able to pick such a good team. You get great people when you get that kind of a turnout."
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