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EDC Minutes <br />February 7, 2018 <br />Page 2 of 3 <br /> <br /> <br />Communications Coordinator Skelly mentioned the newsletter and website would be upgraded <br />at the same time. <br /> <br />Chair Erickson said business focused articles for the newsletter could be written by EDC <br />members. <br /> <br />Commissioner Liz Johnson mentioned possibly adding a business owners showcase and <br />companies looking for employees to the website. <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler said Communications Coordinator Skelly will be helping compile a <br />handout for new business visits and write articles about select new businesses for the newsletter. <br /> <br />Commissioner Rob Williams suggested that existing business be able to request a visit by going <br />through the website. <br /> <br />Chair Erickson concurred and said he would also like to see an article about the BRE program. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding new business visits. It was decided that a handout with a few key <br />points about the city and what is available to businesses along with a gift, possibly a coffee mug, <br />should be given at the new business visits. Contact information should be gathered from each <br />business and given to City Planner Bachler for compilation. Communications Coordinator Skelly <br />could go on the new business visits to gather information to be used in a business feature in the <br />newsletter. <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler stated that he will be meeting with the Building Official approximately two <br />times a month to hear about new businesses coming into the City. <br /> <br />Chair Erickson suggested that a list of new businesses be sent to the EDC members once they are <br />identified so visits can be set up in a timely manner. <br /> <br />Other ideas discussed were a meet and greet “Coffee with the Mayor” type meeting for new <br />businesses, and a quarterly email to businesses that focused on businesses in the City. <br /> <br />B. Business Retention and Expansion Program <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler noted the three main objectives for BRE visits: <br />• Establish open lines of communication between businesses and city departments and provide <br />excellent customer service <br />• Respond to immediate problems affecting a specific business, for example the need to lease <br />additional space <br />• Identify broader issues that may be limiting business success, for examples issues with <br />infrastructure or outdated regulations, and develop a response plan <br /> <br />There was discussion regarding the timing of new business visits versus retention visits. <br /> <br />Chair Erickson wondered how we were maintaining contacts and it was suggested something <br />other than an Excel spreadsheet be used in the future.