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EDC Minutes <br />June 1, 2016 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />A discussion ensued regarding delivery of postcards regarding the State of the City events and it <br />was noted that property owners, both residential and commercial, receive this notification. The <br />EDC members will also go directly to the businesses to deliver the postcards in person. <br />Chair Erickson asked for statistics regarding Facebook and Twitter outreach. <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated he could provide this information at a future meeting. <br />Chair Erickson suggested a stronger online presence regarding event promotion such as a <br />separate page on the City's website. <br />Council Liaison Holden asked about notifying employees of local businesses, versus notifying <br />one individual only within the company by postcard. <br />Chair Erickson stated that an online tool such as Eventbrite would increase the outreach potential <br />as it would also allow any business professional within the organization to access the information. <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated notification is generally provided to the community relations <br />individual at the larger companies such as Land O' Lakes and Boston Scientific. <br />A discussion ensued regarding potential topics that Land O' Lakes or Boston Scientific could <br />present at the business -focused event. <br />A discussion ensued regarding the format for the business -focused event, noting that the program <br />will include a presentation from the TCAAP Master Developer (Alatus), MnDOT/Ramsey <br />County, and either Boston Scientific or Land O' Lakes (or potentially both companies), as well as <br />time for networking and Q&A sessions. <br />B. Business Retention and Expansion Program <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated the EDC previously supported the recommendation that the City <br />focus on the Red Fox -Grey Fox Business District for its business visits in 2016. The visits will <br />include non -retail businesses that were not visited in 2015 and include three new businesses <br />expected to move into this district. <br />Senior Planner Bachler indicated the targeted businesses would receive the general BRE survey <br />questions as well as supplementary questions that include transportation issues, changes in the <br />business district, and why new companies have chosen to locate to Arden Hills. He also said the <br />visits would be coordinated with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce (SPACC) and Greater <br />MSP to determine if either has plans to visit the same companies in order to avoid duplication. <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated City staff will notify the EDC of all scheduled visits and while not <br />required, Commissioners would have the option of attending if they so choose. <br />A discussion ensued regarding relating questions from the general BRE survey to each individual <br />company's services and needs. <br />