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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 10, 2024 3 <br /> <br />Commissioner Williams thought a welcome packet was outside of the description of the <br />Commission, although he liked the idea of doing one. He stated that he thinks it would be more <br />helpful to learn what other businesses want to see from the City. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said she was frustrated with the area of the old Pace building, Arby’s <br />and the unnamed grocery. She was hoping the Commission could identify ways to support that <br />area with future development and opportunities. <br /> <br />Commissioner Murchie said he would like to see pedestrian bridges between the sections of <br />businesses. He wondered if they could work with Parks and Trails to see if there were ways to <br />connect businesses. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gronquist felt the first thing they should do is a survey of the businesses and she <br />would be happy to take the initiative to write a survey and have the Commission review it. A <br />survey would let businesses know the Commission existed, they were being listened to and give <br />them an opportunity to voice what they would like. She asked about contact information for <br />businesses in Arden Hills that is collected for business licensing. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen explained that the City does have some contact information for <br />businesses though the contact might not be the most appropriate respondent to a business survey. <br />She elaborated on what a survey could look like to be focused and support a particular initiative. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gronquist said as a business owner she felt there was no communication from the <br />City and she would like to see business website links on the online business list and it divided into <br />categories. She mentioned residents not being able to see what businesses are located in the city <br />on the City website. She would also like for there to be a way for business owners to connect to <br />other businesspeople within Arden Hills other than through the Chamber of Commerce. <br /> <br />Commissioner Murchie mentioned that some people use Facebook pages to ask questions about <br />where to find things in Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said location was a big reason for him to move his business to Arden Hills. <br />He wanted to understand the EDC’s purpose so they have a clear ask in a survey. He felt it would <br />be helpful to understand what items the EDA and Council are looking for feedback on so they’re <br />not spending time on something they’re not being asked to do. He wondered what authority they <br />have on certain areas. He didn’t have knowledge on what things they have the ability to implement <br />within the Commission versus having to go through the Council. An inventory list of businesses <br />that shows how many businesses there are in Arden Hills, and what type of businesses they are <br />would be helpful, and that could be the foundation of a network for consumers and businesses. <br /> <br />Community Development Director Jagoe stated that Councilmember Rousseau asked the City <br />Council to start discussing the tasks of the Economic Development Authority (EDA). She felt the <br />role of the EDA might be more toward redevelopment; what areas do we have that are pocket <br />vacant business storefronts and how can the City attract new businesses and possibly financially <br />incentivize business development and redevelopment. That is a parallel process right now, along <br />with the EDC goal setting. The EDA may be on the Council work session agenda in February. She <br />thought the role the EDC had in the past was networking between existing businesses, including <br />opportunities to promote and support them, while the EDA would work on redevelopment <br />opportunities and how can the City attract and support financially. The EDC might put things on