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City of Arden Hills Economic Development Commission, June 1, 2016 Page 1 of 1 MEMORANDUM DATE: June 1, 2016 EDC Agenda Item 4.B TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners FROM: Matthew Bachler, Senior Planner SUBJECT: Business Retention and Expansion Program The EDC discussed its goals for ongoing business visits as part of the City’s broader Business Retention and Expansion efforts at their meeting on May 4, 2016. The EDC supported the staff recommendation that the City focus on the Red Fox-Grey Fox Business District in 2016. Staff has compiled a list of priority businesses that will be contacted to set up meetings over the upcoming months. The goal for this year is to visit between 6 and 8 of these companies. In compiling the list, staff prioritized non-retail businesses that were either not visited as part of the 2015 BRE Program or are new companies moving into the Red Fox Business Center. Additionally, staff has drafted a list of supplementary questions to be asked along with the general BRE survey questions. These questions focus on transportation issues, changes in the character of the business district, and why new companies have chosen to locate in the area. Staff has contacted the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to coordinate the City’s business visits with the Chamber’s BRE efforts. Greater MSP will also be contacted to see if their staff has plans to visit any of the priority businesses in 2016. The EDC will be notified of scheduled visits and invited to participate when available. Discussion Questions 1. Does the EDC agree with the list of priority businesses compiled by staff? Are there any additional companies that the City should try to visit? 2. Does the EDC agree with the supplementary questions drafted by staff? Are there other types of questions that should be added? Attachments • Priority Business Visit List • BRE Survey Supplementary Questions