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ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – APRIL 27, 2015 2 <br />A. Business Retention and Expansion <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher stated that at the January 26, 2015, Economic Development <br />Authority meeting, the EDA approved a contract with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce <br />(SPACC) to administer a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program. Since then, the <br />Economic Development Commission has been working to draft a survey instrument, recruit <br />volunteer interviewers, and select businesses that will be targeted for interviews. Training for <br />BRE volunteer interviewers will be held in May. Interviews will be scheduled for June, July, and <br />August. <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher explained that the EDA requested action is as follows: <br /> <br />1. Approve the BRE survey instrument; <br />2. Accept the priority business interview list; and <br />3. Provide direction regarding the list of BRE volunteers. <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher indicated that the draft survey instrument is based on the Grow <br />Minnesota! survey which is used by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Using a similar <br />instrument to Grow Minnesota! will allow the City to compare survey responses with other <br />municipalities. The EDC added questions specifically addressing Arden Hills' topics including <br />the revolving loan fund, the State of the City event, and the efficiency of the local transportation <br />network. <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher reported that the BRE volunteers will be trained to administer <br />the survey using a conversational approach. This will advance the City’s primary BRE goal of <br />building relationships with the business community. EDA feedback on the survey instrument is <br />requested. <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher explained that SPACC used sources from the Minnesota <br />Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to compile an initial list of <br />Arden Hills businesses. The EDC and City staff refined the list based on local knowledge. Based <br />on advice from SPACC, BRE interviews are targeted for the following categories of businesses: <br /> <br /> Businesses in high-growth industries (construction; professional; business services; and <br />education and health services); <br /> Business that are not in high-growth industries but which have experienced significant <br />growth over the past few years; <br /> Large employers; and <br /> Legacy businesses (long-term Arden Hills businesses that are closely identified with the <br />local business community) <br /> <br />Executive Director Hutmacher stated that SPACC recommends that the City complete 30-40 <br />interviews, and 47 priority interviews have been identified with the understanding that some <br />businesses will not choose to participate in the program. Interviews are also proposed with some