07-31-24 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION — JUNE 26, 2024 3 Commissioner Bonine discussed that in those instances, the idea is that a card could be left behind, with the possibility of using a QR code for the business representative to access the questions later. He mentioned that the card could also include contact information for the City. The card could be kept brief to keep the process of implementing the business visits moving forward. Commissioner Murchie said he liked the idea of using a QR code and commented that he thought most people were fans of using QR codes to come back to. Vice Chair Subramanian mentioned that the link could also include a link tree, with other links to the City's Business Resources webpage and other relevant links for businesses. Vice Chair Subramanian asked how the businesses would be approached for in -person visits. Would they sign up for a time and indicate interest or was there some other plan. Senior Planner Fransen stated her understanding was that the business addresses would be divided by area with each Commissioner taking an area of the City to plan out how they would coordinate their visits. Commissioner Gronquist agreed that the businesses could be broken up into regions and shared with the Commissioners. A discussion ensued about how to communicate back to the business community the findings and share the details with the wider Arden Hills Community. Ideas included sharing the information in the Arden Hills Newsletter once information is collected. Commissioner Murchie mentioned that maybe the EDC could share updates to the community through the newsletter, letting community members know that the EDC is working on engaging with the business community and any initial findings or statistics. Senior Planner Fransen offered that perhaps there could be some photographs taken of early visits to share in the newsletter. A newsletter feature could also include the updated EDC mission statement and a contact to reach out to for more information. Commissioner Murchie indicated support of this idea. Commissioner Bonine agreed and added that Commissioner Brausen had previously shared an idea to put together a letter from the Mayor or City Council directed to business representatives. He said that in discussion with staff this letter could be a later follow-up in order to keep the process moving forward with the initial visits. Community Development Director Jagoe offered that there could be an opportunity for the EDC to attend a future City Council Work Session to share the results from the visits to demonstrate the work the EDC has done. The results could help bolster requests for additional resources when putting together the 2025 EDC work plan and that work session could be an opportunity to ask the Council to sign off on a letter to businesses with members of the EDC. The EDC could drive this conversation based on what is learned from the business representatives who were visited. There was support among the Commissioners to pursue this course of action once the visits were completed.