Concordia Language Villages local and global impact

“Concordia Language Villages has not only attracted visitors to the

region, but also brings with it social and cultural amenities that are

unique to our region. CLV is a driver for our region’s continual growth

and development by helping make our community a great place to live,

learn, work and do business.”

– David Hengel, Executive Director of Greater Bemidji

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2016

H I S T O R Y of C O N C O R D I A L A N G U A G E V I L L A G E S

Since 1961, Concordia Language Villages has been an internationally recognized language and cultural immersion program. Programs are offered in Arabic, Chinese, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.

Early on, Dr. Gerhard Haukebo, the program founder, identified the need to construct culturally authentic sites to complete the immersion experience. A development

advisory board, chaired by Dr. Charlie Mayo, visited 27 properties across the state of Minnesota. The team quickly settled on an 800-acre tract of wooded land on the shores of Turtle River Lake near Bemidji as their first choice. The property had been owned and logged by George W. Neilson, and the current owners were Ira and Shirley Batchelder of Bemidji Woolen Mills. A purchase price was struck and the fundraising began!

Concordia Language Villages has enjoyed a solid partnership with the community of Bemidji for 50 years, a relationship that was forged on the dream of building a mini-world around Turtle River Lake. Seven Villages have been built to date. Our sincere thanks goes to all who have been part of an enduring legacy of promoting “peace through understanding” in Bemidji and beyond.

Christine Schulze Executive Director

The mission of Concordia Language Villages is to prepare young people for responsible citizenship in our global community. A

responsible world citizen:

• Understands and appreciates cultural diversity;

• Communicates with confidence and cultural sensitivity in more than one language;

• Responds creatively and critically to issues which transcend national boundaries;

• Expresses empathy for neighbors in the global Village; and

• Promotes a world view of peace, justice and sustainability for all.

Contact Us:

(800) 222–4750 | clv@cord.edu | ConcordiaLanguageVillages.org

in Bemidj i , Minneso ta

Purchase of Turtle River Lake Property

A program of

Norwegian Language Village

German Language Village

French Language Village

Finnish Language Village

Spanish Language Village

Russian Language Village

Swedish Language Village

Celebrating a 50-year partnership with Bemidji

Community I M P A C T R E P O R T Celebrating a 50 -Year Partnership with Bemidji

Bemidji

“One of the biggest and perhaps little-known drivers for

economic development in the Bemidji area is Concordia

Language Villages. CLV attracts campers, families and visitors

from across the nation and world who add energy and value

to our community in a number of ways.”

– Rita C. Albrecht, Bemidji City Mayor

“We love to hear the exciting stories from campers and their

parents. We are so lucky to have such an amazing camp

experience in our own backyard.”

– Dana Lee, Owner of AmericInn Bemidji

L O C A L E C O N O M I C I M P A C T

2,255 Rental Group Participants Annually

Each year Concordia Language Villages hosts a wide range of retreats and gatherings, including workshops, luncheons, weddings, church and youth group activities.

1,000 Total Staff

Each year, Concordia Language Villages (CLV) hires nearly 1,000 individuals from 30 countries spanning 6 continents.

9,000 Total Participants

In the summer and throughout the academic year, more than 9,000 individuals participate in language and cultural immersion programs for youth, families, adults and educators. In recent years, they’ve come from all 50 states and 34 countries.

Annually 250 participants from the Bemidji-area attend our programs.

Since 1966, Bemidji-area individuals, businesses and foundations have contributed more than $3 million through in-kind and cash donations to support scholarships, capital projects and program development. Bemidji Area Friends has secured 125 one-week scholarships for Bemidji-area 4th and 5th graders since 2006.

After applying a conservative local multiplier of 1.8* on the estimated direct contributions of CLV to the Bemidji area, the total annual economic impact is calculated at almost $6.34 million dollars in the past year.

Annual Payroll – $2,898,625

Over a 12-month period, 155 CLV employees (regular, part-time and seasonal) who live and work in the Bemidji-area earn $1,610,347 and have an economic impact of $2,898,625.

Bemidji-Area Vendors – $2,317,883

CLV purchases products and services from over 200 Bemidji-area vendors to cover operating and construction expenses for an annual total $1,287,713, with an impact of $2,317,883. Of that number, $50,000 is spent on grocery purchases with local vendors, including farm-to-table operations.

Family and Participant Spending – $836,550

Families and parents who attend opening and closing days at the Language Villages with their children have personal expenses for lodging, dining, gas shopping and recreation, for an annual total of $464,750, with an impact of $836,550. On a recent survey, families estimated that they spent an average of $325 per visit in the Bemidji-area.

Summer Village Staff Expenditures – $293,967

About 1,000 staff members come each year to the Bemidji-area from across the country and around the world to work for part of the summer at a Language Village. Collectively, they spend $163,315 on hospitality, recreation and shopping on their free evenings and weekends, for an impact of $293,967.

*Bemidji State University study, conducted by the Departments of Economics and Business Administration.

$

3,000,000

Donated to the Villages

$

6,340,000 Total Annual Impact

850 Total Flights

In 2015 Concordia Language Villages accounted for over 850 arrivals and departures to and from Bemidji Regional Airport.

B R I N G I N G t he W O R L D t o B E M I D J I , M I N N .