11-05-25 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – NOVEMBER 5, 2025 4 B. EDC Work Plan Senior Planner Fransen said strategic planning was done at the Council level. There is interest in the EDC developing a work plan and documenting what this group wants to work toward. She summarized what we have done and asked for ideas for how the EDC role will take shape. She shared some ideas in the agenda packet. There can be a subcommittee to draft the work plan so we can discuss it at the meeting and decide what we want to bring forward to Council. Community Development Director Reilly said there are several things that the EDC can do that will align directly with the strategic plan. He wanted commissioners to think about the goals. The expansion of the Adopt-A-Park would be a good opportunity for businesses to get involved. We are assessing communications and working to improve them. The strategic plan outlines a goal of 25 businesses participating. How the city does business can be looked at to see how we can communicate better with businesses. The work plan will overlap the strategic plan. Commissioner Brausen said we should focus on how Arden Hills is different from Shoreview or New Brighton and this is a strength, not a shortcoming. Maybe we can promote businesses. It would be good to differentiate ourselves. We want to be different than Shoreview. We’re smaller and closer knit than the larger surrounding communities. Chair Murchie discussed being the bridge between the residents, businesses and the city. Building a sense of community and creating regular spaces will be great. When new businesses are in town, an EDC member can reach out and invite them to an event. We can intentionally create events that will foster that community. We can hear the feedback from new businesses and connect them to established businesses to bridge that gap and be inviting. We just have to create that space and he thinks we can differentiate ourselves from other cities. Council Liaison Rousseau said Shoreview has signs or decals in businesses that identify them as Shoreview businesses. There is opportunity to promote Arden Hills businesses that way. We can ask owners to donate to nonprofits. Commissioner Brausen said they already do that. Shop in Arden Hills. Commissioner Poelzer said the key is people knowing where Arden Hills is. She doesn’t know if all residents even know what our boundaries are. For the 75th anniversary it would be nice to have flags along County Road E and on our side of Lexington. That will identify us. Commissioner Brausen liked that idea. He said we can promote the small town feel and the flags were sharp looking. Senior Planner Fransen summarized the items she heard. Commissioner Brausen said businesses should be hooked in to promote the 75th. Chair Murchie said there can be a boundary historical piece in the newsletter. We can be prepared to promote the July celebration during an EDC event in May, if we have one. Council Liaison Rousseau thought we can use Gateway funds to create decals or something.