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7. EDSR 01-10-2011ITEM ~ 7. MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development DATE: January 10, 2011 SUBJECT: Discuss EDA Goals and Projects for 2011 Attachment • Staff report dated January 3, 2011 re: HRA Goals and Projects for 2011 • 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan & Action Steps • City Vision & Goals, Adopted October 2010. Background As you are aware the Economic Development Division provides staff support for both the HRA and EDA. A copy of the HRA's recently reviewed goals and projects for 2011 is attached. Overview of 201.0 EDA Goals & Projects • Complete and adopt land use plan for 171` Focus Area Study and implement strategy for marketing and development of Gateway Business Park e.g. joint marketing agreement with a lead broker/developer • Initiate discussions to identify locations, phasing and financing strategy fox expanding city's inventory of industrial and retail/commercial land for future development • Continue Business Retention and Expansion program with emphasis on manufacturers. • Update Retail Trade Analysis and share results with Chamber and business community • Undertake strategies to encourage filling vacant retail/commercial/industrial space with compatible businesses • Initiate discussions to consider marketing plan changes that better reflect the desired image for the city's business developments • Continue marketing efforts to recruit restaurants and retail development. • Maintain marketing participation with the Energy City program to educate existing business community and recruitment tool for energy-related businesses. • Maintain and build networks with banks, brokers/developers, chamber, existing businesses, media, Sherburne County, and others. Discuss EDA Goals and Projects for 2011 January 10, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 2 of 3 Ongoing Initiatives • Market for sale and development of remaining lots in Northstar Business Park to users who will maximize the buildable area of the lots. • Implement strategies identified within the Strategic Industrial Marketing Plan, with an emphasis on broker/developer relations and website features. • Continue marketing efforts to recruit restaurants and retail development. • Maintain inventory of commercial and industrial properties for sale/lease. • Provide business retention and expansion services, and promote use of the micro-loan program to existing manufacturers, while marketing for new business recruitment. • Continue implementation of strategies to use Energy City as an economic development tool. • Maintain and build networks with banks, brokers/developers, chamber, existing businesses, media, Sherburne County, and others. • Utilize variety of communication tools to market Elk River amenities and financing resource for businesses -website, print, social media 2010 Project Highlights • Adopted land use plan for 171't Focus Area Study and began implementation strategy for development of city-owned Gateway Business Park • Completed Business Retention and Expansion visits with several Elk River manufacturers. • Updated Retail Trade Analysis based on 2007 retail sales data. • Authorized initiating process to develop acity-wide branding and marketing plan. • Assisted the development of two new restaurants -Pompeii Pizzeria, Mucho Loco through Micro Loan and amendment to city's SAC/WAC units. • Maintained communications with brokers and provided referrals to fill vacant spaces. • Partnered with Energy City to provide business education programs and market financing assistance for energy efficiency improvements. • Participated in various networks and events to build relationships with banks, brokers/developers, chamber, existing businesses, media, Sherburne County, and others. • Utilized variety of communication tools to market Elk River -website, print, social media • Submitted grant application to MN Dept of Commerce to leverage funds for a Commercial & Industrial Building Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Program • Received Transit Improvement Area designation by MN Dept Employment & Economic Development for the '/z mile radius of Elk River's Northstar Commuter Rail Station and 171x` Ave Focus Area. Discuss EDA Goals and Projects for 2011 January 10, 2011 EDA Meeting Page 3 of 3 Issues for Discussion A copy of the 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan is attached as a reference on the priority goals and issues identified by the joint meeting of the HRA, EDA and City Council. The EDA's action steps should also be consistent with the attached City Vision and Goals. In addition to the Ongoing Initiatives listed above, staff requests the EDA's feedback and direction on the priority action steps for 2011. 2011 EDA Priority Action Steps • Continue to support implementation of the City Vision and Goals in cooperation with the City Council and various Commissions. • Continue implementation of regulatory adjustments and infrastructure development for the 171x` Ave Focus Area. Initiate discussions with development community to develop strategy for marketing and development of city-owned Gateway Business Park. • Evaluate existing inventory of industrial and retail/commercial land. Identify need, locations, phasing and financing strategy to expand city's inventory for future development. • Continue Business Retention and Expansion program with emphasis on manufacturers. • Undertake strategies to encourage filling vacant retail/commercial/industrial space with compatible businesses • Complete and implement city-wide Branding & Marketing Plan. MEMORANDUM TO: Housing & Redevelopment Authority FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development DATE: January 3, 201 I SUBJECT: Discuss HRA Goals and Projects for 201 I Attachments • 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan • City Vision & Goals, Adopted 2010 Background Overview of 2010 HRA Goals and Projects • Continue foreclosure recovery initiatives including: o Administer NSP program in target neighborhoods o Monitor and coordinate foreclosure conditions with various departments o Distribute resource information for foreclosure prevention services • Continue to market resources available for housing rehabilitation and energy efficiency financing assistance. • Resume planning process for the comprehensive Downtown Redevelopment Plan. • Explore need and partnership opportunities for a selective housing redevelopment program (voluntary acquisition/removal and replacement of blighted homes). • Monitor inventory of housing stock to identify gaps. Explore need and identify HRA's role in life-cycle housing options e.g. homeless • Provide input on comprehensive plan or zoning changes in situations where properties are being proposed to convert from a current commercial residential use (e.g. motels) to a private residential use. 2010 HRA Projects & Highlights • Distributed information about various housing rehabilitation and energy efficiency financing programs offered by regional agencies for the benefit of Elk River residents (provided by "Homeowner's Toolkit" brochure, website updates, etc.) Discuss 2011 HRA Goals & Projects HRA Meeting January 3, 2011 Page 2 of 2 • Distributed foreclosure prevention resources throughout the community. • Coordinated information on Elk River's foreclosure situation with Police, Utilities and Code Enforcement to monitor neighborhood conditions. • Administered federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (Foreclosure Recovery) grant funds for down payment assistance and acquisition/rehabilitation. • Created unique financing program as result with TIF 16 resources to stimulate construction or substantial renovation, and job creation. • Closed on purchase of HRA buildings at 716 & 720 Main Street. • Monitored and maintained communications with The Bluffs property owner for assistance in the sale and marketing of the property. • Assisted conduit bond financing for the private acquisition and rehabilitation of the 68-unit Dove Tree Apartments. Issues for Discussion A copy of the 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan is attached as a reference on the priority goals and issues identified by the joint meeting of the HRA, EDA and City Council. In addition, the HRA's action steps should be consistent with the attached City Vision & Goals recently adopted by the City Council. Staff requests the HRA's feedback and direction on the preliminary list of 2011 goals and projects which was developed consistent with the 2011 HRA approved budget: 2011 Proposed HRA Action Steps • Continue foreclosure recovery and prevention initiatives. • Continue to provide information to residents on housing rehabilitation and energy efficiency financing assistance. • Resume planning process for the comprehensive Downtown Redevelopment Plan. • Monitor the City's housing market, inventory and condition to identify needs. • Discuss long term plans and initiatives for 716 & 720 Main Street buildings (i.e. parking, redevelopment) Addition by HKA at 7/3/77 meeting • Consider redevelopment potential and initiatives along visible corridors (e.g. East Hwy 10) Addition by HBA at 7/3/ ~7 meeting • Encourage city code enforcement for building maintenance, public safety, and image. Addition by HAA at 7/3/77 meeting • Monitor proposed Highway 10 improvements by MnDOT and impact on downtown area Addition by HAA at 7/3/ 7 7 meeting 2009-2012 Economic Development Strategic Plan Proposed Action Steps Issue: Industrial Development Objective: Attract new businesses & expand existing businesses to increase the city's industrial tax base Action Steps• i Expand City's inventory of available C/I land for development. • Evaluate current inventory of available C/I laud. • Define desired C/I market and rank by priority. • Conduct research on site amenities required for target markets. • Identify sites that meet site requirements. • Evaluate assembly options (ownership, improvements, financing, etc) • Evaluate financing and focused marketing tools to attract target market. - Develop a Business Resource Directory highlighting services available from various partner agencies for start-ups, expansion and relocations. Consider partnering with Chamber to host Business Resource Expo. - Enhance and promote TIF, Tax Abatement and Micro Loan programs for eligible development and redevelopment projects. ~ Evaluate and consider fresh approach to consistent marketing image as "The Light Industrial Hub of the Northwest Metro", materials and methods. - Maintain and build networks with banks, brokers/developers, chamber, existing businesses, media acid others. i Maintain annual Business Retention & Expansion visits to manufacturers with participation from elected/appointed officials. - Consider DEED's Shovel-Ready Site Certification Program for marketing sites. - Utilize DEED's Manufacturing Weelc to showcase existing fines. Conduct annual update of Retail Trade Analysis with UofM Extension Service acid share results with Chamber and business community. ~ Maintain marketing participation with the Energy City program to educate existing business community and recruitment tool for energy-related businesses. - Consider viability of Business Incubator Program (tenant mix, financing, space). Issue: Rehabilitation & Redevelopment Objective: Facilitate rehabilitation and redevelopment of deteriorating commercial and residential areas. Action Steps: - Resume and complete long range master plan for guiding vision of the greater downtown area. Design connections (to river, businesses, Lions Parlc, schools, etc.) - Joint discussion to determine role of HRA/City/EDA in redevelopment (who leads in identifying potential areas in need of rehab or redevelopment?). Empower HRA/EDA to look critically at potential redevelopment areas. Examine available financing tools -both for public & private redevelopment. - Encourage filling vacant C/I space with compatible businesses. • Utilize MNCAR/MetroMSP to manage data of available C/I (sale or lease). • Host a property manager/broker open house to share listing resources. • Maintain "Business Development" presence on main city web page. • Consider expanding EDA Micro Loan program citywide for to encourage filling vacant retail/service properties. • Encourage and partner with Chamber to conduct Business Retention & Expansion program focused on retaillservice businesses. • Evaluate potential barriers and options to encourage business relocations (e.g. ordinances, fees, SAC/WAC rates) - Identify patterns of vacancy rates to identify areas for potential redevelopment. 9 Maintain foreclosure information to monitor and address neighborhood issues. Evaluate resources to address issue (e.g. NSP). - Conduct Housing Market Study to identify gaps in market, identify priorities, and role in addressing housing needs (after 2010 census?) - Identify, preserve and maintain prime corrunercial areas for fiiture development. Ensure tools in place to attract desired development (e.g. ordinances). Issue: Community Image & Marketing Objective: Identify desired image and strategies to effect necessary changes Action Steps• ~ Joint discussion to determine role of EDA/HRA/Council to define and market citywide image (who leads?) - Determine best approach or a structure to develop the community's vision. i Create marketing plan that reflects Elk River brand/image in a way that complements other local efforts to promote the city internally and externally (Chamber, School, County). Issue: Transportation Objective: Advocate proactive transportation planning and improvements that complement economic growth. Action Steps• - Undertake a local proactive advocacy role to generate improvements • Consider connections, service roads within developments • Limit development by 1a11d use (interim uses to preserve future corridors) • Make necessary improvements to existing roads. • Consider alternative routes for east/west comlections (partner regionally) • Encourage service drives along new corrunercial areas (e.g. East Hwy 10) - Consider transportation improvements in areas with redevelopment/development opportunities. ~ Consider transportation comlections/traffic flow for problem areas. - Maintain reasonable accessibility for businesses along Highways 10 and 169 - Support the City's Transportation Plan; support the Planning and Public Works/Engineering staff in the Plan's implementation. The Vision Abounding in natural beauty, Elk River is a vibrant, historic river town that promotes an active lifestyle in an innovative and involved community offering unlimited opportunities. Goals supporting the Vision • Innovation -Develop new programs and services to meet the needs of the community. • Community Development -Enhance community involvement and public participation through a variety of innovative outlets. • Beautification -Have attractive welcoming streetscapes at City entrances and primary corridors. Enforce zoning ordinances. • Opportunities -Foster apro-business atmosphere that provides incentives and other opportunities for new and existing business growth.