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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – JANUARY 28, 2026 4 <br />that to build. We have to start somewhere. Having the route pass our businesses would be good <br />for the businesses. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said it can be informal. Maybe it’s not a part of the 75th Anniversary weekend. <br />Maybe it’s a business passport and the passport program kicks off with a walk starting at Bethel <br />and then walking up to Lexington. Maybe businesses offer discounts during a certain time frame. <br />It can be an informal group of people who just decide to do it. It would help participants learn who <br />the businesses in town are. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said it would also be a good way to get businesses involved that aren’t <br />located on County Road E. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels said Bethel’s Anderson Center is right behind Brausen’s. It has a huge <br />parking lot that isn’t used very often. That could be used at any time. She said the main campus is <br />really quiet during the summer months so there are a lot of parking spaces that aren’t used. She <br />said dining services are open to anybody. If we know in advance, we can arrange for a discount. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said we should pass that opportunity along to the 75th Anniversary <br />Committee. She thought a bike rodeo and a walk could be included during the Fire Station Open <br />House. It could be sponsored by EDC and local businesses. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said as part of the work plan and engaging the community, we should have some <br />event that can bring community to the businesses. We can highlight the resources we are connected <br />to. <br /> <br />Commissioner Daniels wonders if we can get feedback on the attendees of the business event to <br />see what people are most interested in. We want to be effective in meeting their needs. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said he and Commissioner Sorenson have been looking to do a monthly gathering <br />at The Tavern. We will invite business owners to come together. There would be no formal meeting <br />agenda. It would be a way to build a community with the businesses. We could gather feedback <br />from them. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said if we can get buy in from businesses, she thinks we could bring in <br />Bike MN for a bike rodeo, have an open house at the fire department, do a walk and have <br />businesses do the passport thing. The support for that will come from the businesses. <br /> <br />Chair Murchie said we have to tie something like that into the work plan and can bring it to City <br />Council and build awareness through that. If we get buy in, we can jump into planning what the <br />event will be. <br /> <br />Commissioner Poelzer said we can get PTRC involved because it’s a bike safety event. <br /> <br />Commissioner Bonine said we need to clarify if it is our mission to support the businesses or to <br />have the businesses to support our mission. We need to be careful not to overextend ourselves. <br />These are great ideas; however, we have the 75th Anniversary this year and a lot of resources will <br />be going there. He said the Chamber of Commerce is a really good resource for the business <br />community. It’s good to have something that is just exclusively for Arden Hills Businesses, but <br />the Chamber allows business owners to meet people from surrounding communities. That widens <br />the support and wouldn’t require any extra lift.