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FORMATION AND OPERATION OF AN ECONOMIC <br /> DEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY <br /> Reasons for:Formina an EDA <br /> The Minnesota Legislature granted Cities the power to create economic development authorities <br /> in 1987. By giving Cities this ability they can promote economic growth. EDAs were created to <br /> work in conjunction with and to facilitate other economic development organizations such as <br /> Port Authorities and Housing Redevelopment Authorities (HRA). This allows Cities to create a <br /> better approach to economic development allowing them to create flexible business assistance <br /> and development programs. <br /> In addition to HRA powers, EDAs.were authorized to exercise the powers of Cities in connection <br /> with City development districts and the powers of municipalities or development agencies in <br /> connection with municipal industrial development. By consolidating the powers of economic and <br /> housing development into one body, City officials are not only able to focus development on <br /> blighted areas but, also create programs that will prevent blight from occurring elsewhere within <br /> the community. <br /> The primary powers of an EDA: <br /> • Serve to promote business and to recruit new businesses <br /> • Issue revenue bonds. <br /> • Acquiring property. <br /> • Purchase and sell land. <br /> • Serve as a limited partner. <br /> • Make or guarantee or other credit enhancements. <br /> • Issue general obligation bonds (approved by election). <br /> Procedures for EstabEshin an EDA <br /> In order for a City to create an EDA the City Council must adopt a written resolution called an <br /> enabling resolution. A County can also create an EDA. This handbook describes the process for <br /> Cities to establish an EDA. Through the enabling resolution EDA's are granted all of the powers <br /> described in Minnesota Statutes, 469.090-1082, subject to any limitation on those powers as <br /> specified by the City. FDA's are also granted the powers given to HRAs in the HRA law, <br /> powers almost identical to Port Authorities under the Port Authority Law and all of the <br /> development powers granted to a City under the municipal development district law and the <br /> industrial development act. <br /> Before adopting an enabling resolution the City Council must hold a public hearing and it must <br /> determine the number of Board Members to be on the EDA. The notice of the public hearing <br /> must identify the place and time of the hearing,brief statement of the purpose of the hearing, and <br /> the notice must contain a summary of the resolution. The notice of public hearing must be <br /> published in newspaper of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to <br /> 4 <br />