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26 Recommendations Visit and Survey Generated Recommendations The visits and follow-up surveys yielded many actionable findings. It is recommended that the city concentrate on a select few items that proved to be the most prominent themes identified through the BR&E Program. Recommendation 1 The City of Arden Hills and neighboring communities have been actively engaged in conversations related to a proposed extension of the A-Line Bus Rapid Transit corridor that is currently planned to terminate at Rosedale Mall. Based on the information gathered, it is recommended that city staff and elected officials and/or committees and commissions continue engaging in efforts to advance the proposed extension of the A- Line. It is also recommended that the Economic Development Commission and Economic Development Authority invite representatives from Metro Transit to a work session to provide an overview of planned regional transit investments as well as an overview of regional and national transit trends, particularly as they relate to employment. Recommendation 2 Challenges related to accessing skilled workers was a theme during visits and is consistent with regional trends. While the quality of education in the community at the K-12 and Post-Secondary level is generally perceived as being favorable, there appears to be a disconnect between the types of opportunities that exist in the community and the academic resources in the immediate area. It is recommended that the city explore a relationship with one or several community and technical colleges (i.e. Anoka-Ramsey Community and Technical College, Saint Paul College, etc.) in an effort to bridge the gap of skilled workers. This could be accomplished by meeting with a business liaison at one of these institutions and equipping city staff with information to pass along to businesses. Recommendation 3 Companies in the City of Arden Hills are growing or plan to grow, both in sales and number of employees. While most companies that received a visit perceive room for expansion at their current site, it is important to engage in ongoing dialogue to ensure that their growth needs are being met. It is recommended that city staff leverage a database to keep track of businesses that are expanding or plan to expand, with a regular schedule for checking in on their progress.