05-22-24 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION –APRIL 24, 2024 2 Ms. Becker provided a brief overview of Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan. The County’s economic development strategy prioritizes inclusion in future investments and other actions related to housing, job creation, workforce development and place- based investments, while responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Ms. Becker stated avenues for Economic Development are factors such as Creating Jobs, Building infrastructure, Creating Economic Growth, and High End Talent Recruitment. Whereas, she noted that Workforce Development seeks to get people into jobs, help people keep jobs, develop skills, increase earnings, and offering training and recruitment at all levels. Ms. Becker highlighted Ramsey County statistical data on work force demographics and categories for the largest occupations in the area and labor needs. She recapped and shared information on the programs offered through Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. Senior Planner Fransen indicated the Commission received a copy of the presentation and asked if there were any questions for Ms. Becker. Commissioner Gronquist stated she did not know a lot about the County’s Workforce Solutions, noting it was more involved than she realized. She thanked Ms. Becker for the insightful presentation. Commissioner Bonine stated it was good to see the data regarding degree requirements and briefly discussed how the topics presented by Ms. Becker related to his place of employment. Ms. Becker urged the Commissioners to reach out with any additional questions. Council Liaison Rousseau thanked Ms. Becker for attending several community events and her efforts in helping the public to learn more. She noted Ms. Becker’s reference to previously working at the cities of Shoreview and Vadnais Heights and said various residents have contacted her about the differences that exist across Lexington Avenue such as streetlights, sidewalks, and a $4 million dollar playground. She asked what things Ms. Becker saw early on in the process from an economic development standpoint in those cities. Ms. Becker recommended a City have its own business association and briefly discussed the role that group had within the cities she worked at as well as the connection to the local Chamber. Council Liaison Rousseau indicated the Arden Hills City Council does not have a local business owner on the Council. She noted this Commission recently was restarted and members had reached out to the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce to solicit for positions within the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Commission and received no response from the Chamber. Council Liaison Rousseau also stated that the EDA recently met, which is the City Council, and that there are no members of the community on the EDA. She said the EDA really has not done anything in 5 years other than have discussion about, for example, gateway signs. She indicated that certain initiatives would be brought to the EDC in consideration of recommendations of how to spend the money allocated for economic development. Discussion further ensued regarding the local business community.