12-17-25 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – DECEMBER 17, 2025 3 Commissioner Poelzer asked if there will be a commemorative T-shirt that could list all of the sponsors on the back. Councilmember Holden said there will be a poster for the sponsoring businesses to display. There will be signs that show sponsors, as well. Commissioner Poelzer said the T-shirts can be giveaways or maybe they are for sale for a $10 or $20 with the anniversary logo. She thinks it is a revenue pull for small businesses. She visited smaller businesses for the October EDC event and she would be happy to reach out to businesses. Commissioner Bonine said the sponsorship form shows a kid area. He asked what that is. He thinks the booth space seems light. He thinks the kids’ activity area could ask for $500 for the bounce house. If there is a table there maybe that’s $250. Chair Murchie thought there could be a 5K walk the next day that could go from Cummings to Lindy’s. That would bring walkers right past all of the businesses. Councilmember Holden said she is interested in finding ways to get people to the business area. Discussion ensued regarding how the booth space can be higher price because they’ll be there all day. Most places are going to prefer to write a check vs. setting up a 10x10 booth. Councilmember Monson would like to see this be a launching point for an annual event. She said the role of the EDC is to support this event. She said we can build our team that way. Discussion ensued regarding how much is needed. Commissioners thought $40,000 sounds like a small amount. Commissioner Poelzer said we can go to the businesses and ask how much they would donate and what they would expect for that amount. Commissioner Bonine said he thinks the band sponsor should be $2,500. He said the form doesn’t outline what each sponsor level gets the business. He said if we need $40,000, we can back into what we need with smaller amounts. Chair Murchie said the purpose of the EDC is to build connections in the business community. Having an Arden Hills walk the next day could help build a bridge with the business community and it helps people see what and where the businesses are. Commissioner Bonine agrees we want something more sustainable for the businesses rather than just a logo. Chair Murchie suggested an Arden Hills Business Day on the following day. We can do a business passport. That would help attract sponsors and would benefit the business. Commissioner Bonine said there could be a passport that includes all participating businesses. Commissioner Brausen said the sponsorship opportunities should be offered to Arden Hills businesses first.