05-04-16 EDC - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Arden Hills Economic Development Commission, May 4, 2016 Page 1 of 2 MEMORANDUM DATE: May 4, 2016 EDC Agenda Item 4.A TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Matthew Bachler, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Business Retention and Expansion Program Priority Projects Requested Action Review the implementation plan for the Business Retention and Expansion Program Priority Projects and discuss next steps. Background The EDC reviewed the Business Retention and Expansion Program Report from the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce at their meeting on March 2, 2016, and provided recommendations on priority projects. Staff worked with SPACC on a draft implementation plan for three projects based on these recommendations, which was presented to the Economic Development Authority on March 28, 2016 (Attachment A). The EDA approved the implementation plan as presented, but set priorities for which projects staff and the EDC should focus on first. Discussion The implementation plan includes three projects: conducting ongoing business visits, convening a commercial real estate broker roundtable, and exploring the City’s role in workforce development. The following section outlines each of these projects in more detail. Project 1: Ongoing Business Visits The first project would focus on developing a system so the City can maintain its efforts to build relationships with the business community. The implementation plan recommends establishing an objective for business visits each year, for example targeting a specific industry or business district. Realistic goals should be set on the number of visits expected to be completed by staff and the EDC, and visits should be coordinated with other entities, such as Chambers of Commerce and Greater MSP, completing BRE visits. Information collected throughout the year would then be compiled into a year-end report.