02-28-24 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 28, 2024 5 years ago, and they have a grant program now for converting old building signage to LED and install cameras on the signs. The combination made the buildings more secure. Mr. Connelly shared information about the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. He noted that two of the Board of Directors were stakeholders in Arden Hills. They have committees such as Ambassadors that help with grand openings, task forces, and public policy focus. They were asked to support the Rice Creek Commons bonding request and he sent a letter to Commissioner Frethem showing support for that. They have a new manufacturing cohort with several businesses from Arden Hills involved. The Welcome Back to Lexington initiative sun-setted in December, 2023 but he will continue to post on the website for another year to encourage folks to patronize the businesses in that corridor. Mr. Connelly noted the next business council meeting will be on March 20. Someone from the Minnesota Retailers Association will be there to share the status of retail in the area. They will also discuss the latest updates on the cannabis laws. Every business in the community is invited to attend whether they are members of the Chamber or not. He further explained some of the other things the Chamber does for businesses, including videos highlighting local businesses. He thanked Arden Hills for their partnership with the Chamber. Council Liaison Rousseau asked if they could share some of the social media video links, and she wondered how many members were from Arden Hills. Mr. Connelly said the links would be for a grand opening, chamber check-in or to feature something. They use X, Facebook and LinkedIn. The links are on their website but he will send them to staff. He thought there were approximately 25 Arden Hills businesses in the Chamber, a good cluster of them along Lexington Avenue and some manufacturers, along with Bethel University. He explained how to search for businesses on their website, which can be done by business name or category. Senior Planner Fransen said the EDC had previously discussed how to support Arden Hills businesses while not duplicating the efforts of the Chamber. Mr. Connelly said the Chamber of Commerce likes to try to be a catalyst when certain things come up and complement what businesses are doing and promoting like with Welcome Back to Lexington. The Chamber can also promote special events held by businesses. They don’t have a map of businesses, but Google maps will come up on the sidebar of the website when you search for businesses on their list. Commissioner Murchie asked what a group like the EDC could do to help the Chamber and to improve the business environment and attract more companies to Arden Hills? Mr. Connelly said leveraging and using the resources. Additionally, Arden Hills was unique with the largest undeveloped tract of land in the metro and that will be huge for any business considering putting a footprint here in the Twin Cities and the northern suburban area. As an example, he explained how the area around the National Sports Center and TPC in Blaine had exploded with housing, commercial etc. The market has changed but they have the benefit of seeing what commerce may be like in the future. The opportunity is to try to forecast what the consumer will be like in ten to fifteen years, and be able to capitalize on it.