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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, March 3, 2014 <br /> Page 10 <br /> whether or not housing could attract that higher wage group versus those with on- <br /> ly a high school education, noting the large span currently existing. <br /> Mayor Roe concurred, noting that those workers with a less formal education rep- <br /> resented a significant part of the City's population at this time. Mr. Darger noted <br /> that the City also had a considerable number of U of MN residents as well, advis- <br /> ing that he had been encouraged by those residents to make sure the City was well <br /> aware of that fact. Mayor Roe noted that when executives moved to MN, their <br /> perception was that the Cities of Eagan and Eden Prairie were the suburbs to lo- <br /> cate in, and also to locate their businesses in those areas as well; <br /> Councilmember Laliberte questioned if there was any way to tell the average age <br /> of the Roseville workforce, which could also provide information on their life cy- <br /> cle and whether rental or home ownership was of interest to them. Mr. Darger re- <br /> sponded that the information was included in the full report, both recognizing the <br /> City's aging workforce and residents. Mr. Darger further noted that, in an article <br /> yesterday in the Minneapolis Star/Tribune related to inner ring suburbs, it was <br /> noted, with Roseville receiving mention, that the City of Shakopee was the lead- <br /> ing user of business incentives in the State of MN. Mr. Darger opined that the in- <br /> formation provided in this article was interesting to think about, with Americans <br /> liking to move frequently; and challenges in living in various suburbs that may <br /> not be evident in Roseville. <br /> Councilmember Etten questioned where people went to get assistance in creating <br /> business plans and help with expansions and strategic planning. Mr. Darger re- <br /> sponded that the State's Small Business Center or SCORE (Senior Core of Re- <br /> tired Executives) were the typical resource. Mayor Roe responded that it was key <br /> for the City of Roseville to make that information known and available to the <br /> business community. <br /> Being so close to many colleges who offer similar business administration assis- <br /> tance and development of marketing plans, Councilmember Laliberte suggested <br /> making that information available to local businesses as well. Chair Maschka <br /> concurred, opining that facilitating relationships could and should make that in- <br /> formation available. <br /> Mayor Roe suggested three project areas for the City to pursue as evidenced from <br /> this survey, the report and task force work, as well as tonight's discussion. <br /> 1) <br /> 2) 1) Developing business liaison staffing focus in the upcoming refinement of <br /> the Community Development staff organization, with the upcoming hiring of <br /> a new Community Development Director; 2) working with Chambers on a <br /> business to business networking model (e.g. business council meetings with <br /> outside speakers); Inviting local colleges to Chamber of Commerce meetings <br />