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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />Economic Development Commission March 5, 2014 <br /> <br />Page 1 of 1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: March 5, 2014 EDC Agenda Item 4.C <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission Chair and Commissioners <br /> <br />FROM: Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director <br /> <br />SUBJECT: City Newsletter Distribution <br /> <br /> <br />Requested Action <br /> <br />Provide comment on the distribution of the City newsletter to businesses. <br /> <br />Discussion <br /> <br />At the January 27, 2014, joint EDC/EDA work session meeting, EDA Commissioners directed <br />the EDC to consider methods to improve distribution of the City newsletter to businesses. Arden <br />Hills Notes is currently sent to all addresses in the City, including businesses, via bulk mail. <br />Because the newsletter is sent via bulk mail, it is not addressed to specific individuals. <br /> <br />Over the past few years, staff has been developing a business contact list which currently <br />includes addresses, emails, and contact names for approximately 100 businesses, largely from <br />the B-2, Round Lake, and Corporate Campus districts. This list is expected to grow when staff <br />visits Red Fox/Grey Fox businesses in 2014. <br /> <br />The business license list includes 141 businesses, some of which are home-based businesses <br />which already receive the newsletter. The business license list includes contact names for many, <br />but not all, of the licensees, but does not include email addresses. <br /> <br />Options for improved distribution of the City newsletter to businesses include: <br />1. Merge the business contact list and the business license list to create a business mailing <br />list. Labels would be printed and newsletters mailed via regular metered mail ten times <br />each year. Due to the increase in printing, staff, and mailing costs estimated at $1,500 to <br />$2,000 annually, City Council approval would be necessary for this option. <br />2. Send the newsletter via email to the business contact list. This option would have <br />minimal staff costs. City Council approval would not be necessary.