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MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: October 1, 2014 EDC Agenda Item 4.A <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Matthew Bachler, Associate Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Business Retention and Expansion Program <br /> <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />Review the Business Retention and Expansion Service Proposal submitted by the St. Paul Area <br />Chamber of Commerce (SPACC). Staff is recommending that the Economic Development <br />Commission (EDC) make a formal recommendation to the Economic Development Authority <br />(EDA) that the City contract with the SPACC to implement a Business Retention and Expansion <br />program in 2015. Any recommendation made by the EDC would be presented to the EDA at <br />their meeting on October 27, 2014. <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />At the EDC meeting on August 6, 2014, City staff presented a preliminary proposal from the <br />University of Minnesota Extension for a BRE program in Arden Hills. This proposal was for a <br />scaled down version of the BRE Strategies Package, which is the most comprehensive service <br />offered by the Extension. The components of the customized program included a research <br />package consisting of a survey instrument, data tabulation/analysis, a research and summary <br />report, and a planning retreat, as well as six visits to Arden Hills by an Extension consultant to <br />assist with planning the program and training the Task Force team. The expected cost of this <br />program would be approximately $8,800. <br /> <br />Based on feedback provided by the Commissioners, staff has continued to research alternative <br />options for a BRE program that would require fewer meetings, offer a streamlined business <br />survey, and have an emphasis on tangible results. Staff has since met with Jonathan Weinhagen, <br />Vice President of the SPACC, and discussed the City’s goals in undertaking a BRE initiative. <br />After meeting with staff, the SPACC has developed a customized BRE program for Arden Hills. <br />The details of this proposal are included in Attachment A. The total cost of the project would be <br />approximately $5,000. <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />Economic Development Commission, October 1, 2014 <br /> <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />