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City of Arden Hills Economic Development Commission March 2, 2016 Page 1 of 2 MEMORANDUM DATE: March 2, 2016 EDC Agenda Item 4.A TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Matthew Bachler, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Business Retention and Expansion Report Recommendations Requested Action Review the recommendations in the Business Retention and Expansion Report from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and provide feedback on next steps. Discussion SPACC presented the BRE Report to the Economic Development Authority at their meeting on January 25, 2016. The report includes a recommendations section that identifies priority projects the City should consider based on the business survey analysis. Staff will be working on a list of action steps to implement each recommendation, which will be presented at the next EDA meeting. In preparation for this, staff is requesting that the EDC review the recommendations below and provide feedback on possible next steps. Transit Advocacy City staff has been engaged in discussions regarding the proposed extension of the Snelling Avenue Bus Rapid Transit corridor to provide improved transit service to the business community. The report recommends that the City continue in these efforts and invite Metro Transit to an EDA work session to provide an overview of transit improvements and how transit needs relate to employment. Workforce Training One of the major issues identified by local businesses is the challenge of accessing skilled workers. While the City has limited capacity to address the skills gap in the workforce, it was recommended that staff explore relationships with community and technical colleges with job training programs that may meet the needs of Arden Hills businesses. These institutions often have a business liaison on staff that could provide information to be passed along to businesses.