04-11-2011 EDA AG MTG CANCELLATION & UPDATECITY OF ELK RIPER
NOTICE OF CANCELLATION OF MEETfNG OF
THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTt-fORITY
Monday, Apri111, 2011
Elk River City Hall
13065 Orono Parkway
EIk River MN 55330
I, Ron Touchette, Economic Development Authority President, hereby CANCEL the
regular meeting of the Economic Development Authority scheduled on >iVionday, April 11,
2011 at 5:30 g.m. Elk River City Hall, 13065 Orono Parkway, Elk RitTer, Minnesota.
The meeting is cancelled due to a lack of issues requiring action b}~ the Economic
Development Authority.
In accordance t~~th State Statute, I hereby request the cih~ clerk to post this notice at least
three days prior to the scheduled meeting date. I further request the city clerk to notify each
member of the Economic Development Authority of the cancellation of the regntlar meeting,
in ~vriting, at least one day before the meeting.
-~ ~ ADriIT 7.2011
Ron Touchette Date
Economic Development Authority President
--
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this notice has been posted and that I have served tkus notice
upon the members of the Economic Development Authority by mail at least one day prior
to the above-cancelled Economic Development Authority meeting.
~~
Tina Allard
'; City• Clerk
April 7, 2011
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: April I I, 201 I
SUBJECT: EDA Projects Update
The April regular meeting of the EDA has been cancelled due to a lack of items requiring
action at this time. Following is a brief summary of a couple items staff is preparing for the
May EDA agenda -
Micro Loan Program Amendments
At its March meeting the EDA directed staff and the Finance Committee to proceed with a
several proposed amendments to the EDA Micro Loan Program. One of the items
requiring the most time and research has been the addition of the Energy Efficiency
Improvement Loan and coordinating input from the various utility partners, Small Business
Development Center, and other model financing programs. The EDA Finance Committee
recently met this week to review and discuss amendments; however we anticipate another
meeting is necessary to fully work out the detailed language. We anticipate a
recommendation for approval of the revised policy at the May EDA meeting. In addition,
we'd like to coordinate the announcement of the new Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan
Program with the next Energy City Business Education Workshop slated for May/June.
Branding Project
Staff has been working with chandlerthinks on moving forward with the branding and
marketing strategy. Steve Chandler and his team will be in Elk River Apri127-29 to execute
the first portion of market research. The methods include: a community tour, 25 one on one
interviews with stakeholders, three focus groups and mystery shops throughout Elk River
and local area businesses. A `Discover Elk River ` Facebook page was created to begin
collecting community input and staff collected over 100 responses to `Describe Elk River's
most memorable characteristic in one word' survey completed at the Elk River Area
Business Expo on March 27`h
Following the visit in April, a community and employee online survey will be created for
distribution to collect input. In addition, chandlerthinks will begin an attitude awareness and
usage study (quantitative research method) and community segmentation analysis. This
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analysis is completed using ESRI/Tapestry consumer segmentation data which classifies
residential neighborhoods into different market segments based on socioeconomic and
demographic characteristics. This data will also be looked at from a comparative standpoint
vs. competitors.
Staff has created a website («~c-~v.ci.elk-river.mn.us; il-nage) for the community to increase
awareness about the project, in addition to creating a video for the cable channel, articles ill
the internal City newsletter and providing an interview with the ERStar News. Additional
details will be brought back to the EDA at the June meeting.
Request by MPCA to Install Monitoring Well on EDA Property
Staff has received a request from MPCA to install a monitoring well on property owned by
the EDA. The site is a vacant, unbuildable lot located in the Elk River Industrial Park. The
goal of the program is to collect data on the groundwater quality as a protection effort.
MPCA is requesting approval of a property access agreement from the EDA. The Park &
Recreation Commission and City Council recently approved a similar request for a
monitoring well installed in Windsor Park.
2011 Community Profile
We axe finally starting to see signs of spring beyond the sunny warm weather, with some
rejuvenated interest in a few local manufacturing expansions. On another positive note, we
will soon be going to print on the 2011 Community Profile. Employment figures from the
City's largest employers indicated positive signs of stability, as well as rg owth between 2010
and 2011.
Business Subsidy Reports
Despite these positive signs of stability and growth, it still is less than projected for a few (3)
businesses that will require consideration by the City Council in the next month to extend
the deadline to achieve job and wage goals established for projects where the City provided
financial assistance, as required under the MN Business Subsidy Law.
Marketing Activities
Staff recently participated in the following marketing events:
• March 5th Energy Expo (exhibitor)
• March 11th MN Real Estate Journal's "Build Green" Conference (exhibitor & presenter)
• March 27th Chamber Business Expo (exhibitor)
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