04-23-25 EDC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 26, 2025 3 Senior Planner Fransen said the physical addresses of businesses were identified and broken out into lists and each list was assigned to a different Commissioner. Those in-person visits started in September. The progress was discussed at the October meeting. Senior Planner Fransen said there were two Commissioners who decided to conclude their involvement with the EDC at the end of 2024. They did not complete their visits. There are businesses on those lists who have not been contacted yet. Senior Planner Fransen opened the discussion for Commissioners to give further updates and ask questions. Chair Murchie asked other Commissioners, namely Commissioner Sorenson, what their reasons were for establishing their businesses in Arden Hills. Commissioner Sorenson said he found Arden Hills through his realtor. He was looking at locations in surrounding cities. He found an open space and took the time to walk around the community. He found this community to be active and involved. He said that is something the EDC can capitalize on. The community wants to be involved. Chair Murchie asked if he visited the surrounding communities’ website to see if they had business resources. Commissioner Sorenson said he did not. Commissioner Daniels asked if the Commissioners all did in-person visits. She asked if the businesses were receptive to the visits. Commissioner Brausen said 95% of the businesses were welcoming. He had to make an appointment at a couple places, which he thought was fine. He said a repeating theme was hopes that construction on Lexington be limited and coordinated as much as possible to avoid traffic flow interruptions. Commissioner Daniels asked if there is a more comprehensive survey forthcoming after the visits. Commissioner Gronquist said the survey was conducted during the visits. Commissioner Daniels asked if there was a strategy for reaching businesses that were not visited by an EDC member. Commissioner Gronquist said a post card was dropped off to any business that was not reached for an in-person visit. If email information was known, an email was sent inviting them to complete the survey. Senior Planner Fransen said the questions were universal. Commissioners asked the same questions of each business, so the information being gathered was consistent. Commissioner Daniels asked if all the businesses were accounted for.