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• geographic benefit is the transportation system. Serviced by Highways 169 and 23, Milaca is easily accessible and has ease of access to three regional centers. The other attributes are value based. EDC members identified rural character, family values, quality schools and effective local government as the most important. In order to preserve these attributes,members emphasized a need to manage and control growth. It was also perceived that Milaca experienced difficulty in attracting employment opportunities and higher quality jobs. The professed reason for this was an inequity in the tax rate between Mille Lacs and Sherburne Counties. However, the group felt that a change in the tax situation was unlikely, and the focus needs to be on formulating a plan to identify and market the community's strengths. Overall, the EDA felt that it is important for local leadership to support a plan and set community priorities that are realistic and achievable. Confidence in local leaders, including school and local government officials,business leaders and community organization leaders is high. The leadership is receptive to change for the overall benefit of the city. The EDC is confident that cooperation between the various organizations is achievable through continued and improved communications and the pooling of informational and financial resources. Strength,Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis To define the community's competitive advantage and growth opportunities, an evaluation of its core characteristics was completed. EDC members examined 46 different factors and determined if the factor was, in their opinion, a community strength, weakness, opportunity or threat. (see Exhibit B) for list of factors. Initially, the Strengths were identified as: • High level of air quality • Adequate local clinics and health care professionals for basic health care • Adequate major highways • Availability of potable (drinking quality)water It was recognized that the majority of cities can also claim high air quality, good healthcare and clean drinking water. However,the city's location on two major Highways, US 169 and State 23, is a geographic advantage over other communities is the region and provides access to multiple markets. The evaluation results showed other qualities that were identified as potential strengths. These qualities did not score as high as the initial four above, but were considered attributes. These characteristics included: • General appearance of the community • Rate of population growth Barsness Consulting Services Page 3 12/8/2005