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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />Economic Development Commission, August 6, 2014 <br /> <br />Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: August 6, 2014 EDC Agenda Item 4.A <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Matthew Bachler, Associate Planner <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Business Retention and Expansion Program <br /> <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />Review the included information on the University of Minnesota Extension’s Business Retention <br />and Expansion Tools program and provide staff with feedback. <br /> <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />Staff has completed additional research on the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) <br />programs offered through the University of Minnesota Extension. Previously, staff has presented <br />on the BRE Strategies Package, which is the most comprehensive and in-depth BRE program <br />provided by the Extension. The cost of the Strategies Package ranges from $12,000 to $15,000 <br />depending on whether the standard or premium package is selected. The principle difference <br />between the two packages is that the premium version includes a customized survey instrument. <br /> <br />The Extension also offers the BRE Tools program, which allows communities to choose from the <br />specific services included in the Strategies Package in order to create a customized program. <br />This program is appropriate for communities that want to complete a scaled-down version of the <br />Strategies Package and that have the staff capacity to implement most components of the <br />program on their own. Through the BRE Tools program, Extension staff offers coaching <br />sessions, facilitated meetings, trainings, and research services. Included in Attachment A is an <br />Extension info sheet that provides additional information on the two BRE programs. <br /> <br />Based on the discussion at the Economic Development Commission meeting on June 4, 2014, <br />staff reviewed the different services offered in the BRE Tools program and developed an initial <br />outline of a program for Arden Hills. The following table lists recommended training and <br />research services and their associated cost: <br />