02-28-24 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 4 their goals and objectives for Staff and they will have to set priorities on those items based on availability of staff resources and Council direction. Council Liaison Rousseau felt if they put together something like a communications plan that should be shared with the Council. She would love to start a procedure where every first quarter the Committees and Commissions create their goals for the year and bring them to the Council. The EDA has previously talked about welcome to Arden Hills signs but that’s really all they’ve done recently. She would like to have the EDA membership expanded and have one person from the EDC and one from the Planning Commission join the EDA. Commissioner Murchie said it seemed like there was overlap with the two committees. He felt if they support the businesses that are here that will help to attract other businesses. Commissioner Williams thought a survey would help let them know what resources businesses want. Maybe they could piggyback with Shoreview or another city? He recalled that a welcome packet was made a few years ago that they gave to new businesses. Senior Planner Fransen summarized what she was hearing was they wanted communication with current businesses and a plan for future businesses saying here’s what’s available and learning what should be available, and being able to take that information back to the Council/EDA to see how the commission could support businesses in the future. She reviewed what was in Chapter 8 from the Comprehensive Plan which was about Economic Development. She also felt there was overlap with other committees and commissions. Commissioner Bonine wondered if it would it be possible to come up with a communications plan outline and have everyone take a topic; surveys, map, welcome kit, vendor directory etc. They could take it before the EDA and City Council before they spend a lot of time on it. He would be happy to put together an outline. Commissioner Subramanian thought having an event just for business owners to network might be a good idea. Council Liaison Rousseau mentioned that the PTRC had suggested having an open house with residents, they could consider having a meet and greet with businesses to get to know each other. Senior Planner Fransen said that could also be aligned with an opportunity to review and discuss results from a survey. She asked what kind of event the business owners in the room would show up for. Commissioner Gronquist said she would wonder if she showed up would anyone else. She thought it could be two different type of events, with just businesses or businesses with the community invited to make a connection. It would also depend on if the business was new or established, customer centric or not, and type of business. Chair Cupery asked if there would there be a way to wrap all of those things together? Commissioner Murchie thought there may be some sequential steps like first defining what the EDC is and letting people know they are there and what they’re doing.