01-25-16 Joint Meeting w EDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS EDA MEETING—JANUARY 25, 2016 2 A. Arden Hills Business Retention and Expansion Program Senior Planner Bachler stated that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) approved a Business Retention and Expansion Service Proposal from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) on January 26, 2015. Over the past year the Economic Development Commission (EDC), community volunteers, and City staff have been working with SPACC on designing and implementing a Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program. A total of 24 local businesses were interviewed as part of the program, and SPACC has completed an analysis of the business survey results. These results along with a program overview, profile of the business community, and priority areas are included in the BRE Program Report provided in the EDA packet. Senior Planner Bachler noted that Jonathan Weinhagen, SPACC, would be giving a presentation on the findings included in the BRE Program Report. Jonathan Weinhagen, Vice President of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Commissioners for their time. He presented the Commissioners with further information on the BRE program. He appreciated the efforts of staff and the EDC members over the past year. He further discussed the results and findings within the BRE program. He provided comment on the profile of businesses within Arden Hills, noting that the majority of the local businesses were either manufacturing, management of enterprises, or administrative and support. Further discussion ensued regarding how jobs were classified for the businesses within the City. Commissioner Holden questioned if educational services should be included as a category in the profile of businesses in the City. Mr. Weinhagen explained that based on the data that was collected, educational services did not come in as one of the top industries by employment. EDA President Grant requested Mr. Weinhagen investigate the jobs data for educational services further. He indicated that Northwestern's address was in Roseville, but a portion of their property was located within Arden Hills, which would increase the educational services jobs numbers. He discussed how the Pine Tree Drive location for Bethel University would also increase the number of educational services jobs located in Arden Hills. Mr. Weinhagen stated that he would investigate the data on the educational services sector further and would report back to the EDA. He reviewed the large number of jobs within the community and the importance of mass transit. Commissioner Holden believed it would be valuable to have additional information on how many employees were visiting local restaurants during the lunch hour, versus those that ate within their corporate campus.