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ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING – JANUARY 25, 2016 2 <br />A. Arden Hills Business Retention and Expansion Program <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a <br />Business Retention and Expansion Service Proposal from SPACC on January 26, 2015. Over the <br />past year the Economic Development Commission (EDC), community volunteers, and City staff <br />have been working with SPACC on designing and implementing a Business Retention and <br />Expansion (BRE) program. A total of 24 local businesses were interviewed as part of the <br />program, and SPACC has completed an analysis of the business survey results. These results <br />along with a program overview, profile of the business community, and priority areas are <br />included in the attached BRE Program Report. With the completion of the report and the <br />presentation of the findings, SPACC will have completed the work plan outlined in the approved <br />BRE Service Proposal. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler explained that the next step in this process would be for the EDA and <br />City Council to review the priority areas identified by SPACC and to consider what actions the <br />City may want to take on these issues. One of the City’s goals in undertaking the BRE program <br />was to help establish a strategic plan for economic development and these priority areas provide <br />a good starting point for this effort. Specific action items recommended by SPACC in the report <br />include: <br /> <br /> Continued engagement by elected representatives, commissions, and staff in transit <br />conversations, and specifically the proposed extension of the A-Line Bus Rapid Transit <br />Line. <br /> Fostering relationships with community and technical colleges to help establish <br />workforce connections in the City. <br /> Creating a system to track companies that are planning or positioned for growth and <br />checking in with them regularly. <br /> Establishing a plan for on-going business retention and expansion visits. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler requested the Council review the City’s business retention and <br />expansion program and provide staff with feedback. <br /> <br />Jonathan Weinhagen, Vice President of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the <br />Council for their time. He presented the Council with further information on the BRE program. <br />He appreciated the efforts of staff and the EDC members over the past year. He further <br />discussed the results and findings within the BRE program. He provided comment on the profile <br />of businesses within Arden Hills, noting that the majority of the local businesses covered <br />manufacturing, management of enterprises, and administrative and support. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding how jobs were classified for the businesses within the City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Holden questioned if educational services should be included in the profiles for <br />the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Weinhagen explained that this data was collected but did not come in as one of the top <br />three profiles for the City, but was considered one of the City’s major service industries.