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EDSR INFORMATION 10-10-2011INFORMATION 0 0 r T O 4 W O Q f ,_ ~~ &€' ! 7 a ~!' g '~ m ~ ~ YL pi O ~ O u m ~ O ~ ~ 3 m~ ~, _` u.,t ~ w lug ~ ~J~l w~ l~7 ~- Q L h N m ~ O r.. ~ 4; .r ~ ~ U? ,.. ^~.~ Fib C.b O p ~ r. ~ .S4 •- ~ ~ O .a .C O ~ y S~ r, .tCC} h0 ~j (p ~ .n a.l Q Rtl u ~C cti V +~ rtf w .-r O ~~" Qa ~ H DII Ab c a~ ^~' ate. .-. ~ b4 -~. n3 N y ~ R '"C ~ ~ f~+ ,Sj ~ ,d '~ ~ O O ~ '~ ~~. ~ r~ 91 ai 4J O ,~ a~ aa"i .O a~ 7 _p ~~ O ~ ~ Q. O ~ -D{i a 7J O ~ C [ ~ ~ n O ,~ ~~ a. O '~ as O ~~ .' W a as r+ ~ v ~ u 'S+ ~ ~1 b h p sl Ua P7 v `b u ,`~ 1; t~~--o++ , IV d a' t- C. ~ ~ ~ lV ~ ^ ~ 4 ~ O 9d UI "~i = i1 Q s ~ ~ e , ~ ° N ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ m o ~ ~ ~ ,~ i;° O v ~ _ n V da S+ O yy C s i ~ }j L -~ • ~^~ L~ t~l w ~ jam. z 1rf _ c ~ ~ ~ w ~ ~ y _ V '~ ytl !} t _ fti 6a vl a - a' L., Y r~h--~y ~ .v ~o .a C7 V .a x: .~'.. o. O ;' Qt ~, +~ ~i A i a O c ~ Q ^ ~ ?~1 ~ ~ N I ~' f~~..r.. a~_+ 9 po e~ ~ p N ~ '1, II i ~ ~ ~{ U~ Q ~ c ~~ a' .s-. - o cL C _ ~, L Sr =! ~ 2, Q o ry l~ N ~ Q i p ~ ~ e'11 'x Vl tF! J ~L! ao ~ m ~G '~ ~ ~ ~ m w 'r ,0 7 0 0 n m ~ - Y~ ua o'+ it _ J R3 ~ _ U] ~ ~ ' - ~J ., .~ O G O al ~ ~ _ ~ o N = J ~ ~ ~ a 21 ~' W ~ ,~ T m i] ~ '~ O ~ ~I `~ r m ~ ~ W >, N ,r m ~ ~ a ~ m o ~ C Z ~ ~ i {iJ ~ C ~, rm 3' ~ 9a u Y a~ Qi ~ C Iti I, UI y ', ~ 9 a ~ a. O W Branding helps cities attract, retain businesses ~ Hometown Source Page 1 of 6 INFORMATION hom E~-+! Publishers, lnt. ~ Hometown Source from ECM Publishers, Inc. • Home • Publications» • Capitol News • Columns & Opinon» • ECM Publishers» Search... Columns & Opinion Precious text Branding helps cities attract, retain .businesses Don Heinzman Editorial -Communities are trying to promote their unique qualities through what's become known as "branding." The branding is meant to attract attention of businesses looking for a place to locate, thus increasing the tax base of the community. Suburbs often are characterized as "burbs" with little identity and lumped in as bedroom communities. Hoping for more identity, some cities like Burnsville and Maple Grove, have actually built downtowns. Community celebrations, such as Braham's Homemade Pie Day, Isanti's Rodeo Days and the Anoka's Halloween observance help establish identity. There are many other well known brands including Caledonia as the "Wild Turkey Capitol," Anoka as the "Halloween Capitol," St. Paul as the "Capitol City," Minneapolis as "The City of Lakes," Little Falls as the city "Where the Mississippi Pauses, Discovery Begins." Lakeville prides itself as the "Southern Gateway to the Twins Cities," Apple Valley as "Plant, Grow, Prosper," Cambridge as "Minnesota's Opportunity Community," and Isanti as "A Community for Generations." Forest Lake, thanks to its American Legion Post, has billed itself as the "Fourth of July Capital of Minnesota" for nearly 90 years. Elk River, which is known as "Energy City," has an Economic Development Authority that hired a consultant to develop a branding program. Through research, the company, Chandler Thinks, found only 13 percent outside the city knew much about Elk River, except as a city to drive through. http://hometownsource.com/2011/09/29/branding-helps-cities-attract-retain-businesses/ 9/30/2011 Branding helps cities attract, retain businesses ~ Hometown Source Page 2 of 6 On the other hand, they found satisfied residents who liked the outdoors where two rivers, the Mississippi and the Elk, come together, the parks, the downtown and the location near the Twin Cities. They came up with the theme: "Elk River -Powered by Nature," but quickly acknowledged the "Energy City" component and said the theme also could fit "Elk River -Energized by Nature." To its credit, the company had many good suggestions on how the theme could be incorporated, particularly involving the entire community and its businesses in spreading the Elk River gospel. They stressed the need to improve the city's web site, noting that 85 percent of businesses looking to locate or re-locate look at the Internet sites. Forest Lake, backed by a similar study with its EDA, is in the midst of a like process that will hopefully produce a new "brand" for the Washington County community. Some question the need for branding particularly in a natural region like northern Dakota County where people live in one close-by city, work in another and worship in another. They say that it's better to forget competing for industries with neighboring cities and be satisfied to locate in the region a business that will provide employment no matter where people live. Steve Chandler told the Elk River EDA that a community's reputation is "defined by its government, its businesses, its organizations and its residents - or, it will be defined by others." Having a systematic approach to spreading the right message to targeted audiences is one way to attract and keep businesses and build community. -DON HEINZMAN Share: Facebook Tags: brandng_of cities, .Don Heinzman No comments yet. Add your response Email Print & PDF share Name (Required) Mail (will not be published) (Required) Website http://hometownsource.com/2011/09/29/branding-helps-cities-attract-retain-businesses/ 9/30/2011 Finance & Commerce > Print > Why the froth over Surly? Brewery project draws broad i... Page 1 of 2 INFORMATION Finance & Commerce /finance-commerce.com Why the froth over Surly? Brewery project draws broad interest by Chris Newmarker Published: September 30th, 2011 Economic development officials insist they are not wearing beer goggles as they try to woo the $20 million, 60,000-square-foot brewery and beer garden that the Surly Brewing Co. would like to build in the Twin Cities. "Dozens" of metro area cities have already submitted information to the Minneapolis- based Tegra Group, which Brooklyn Center-based Surly tapped in August to advise on the project, said Tom Hauschild, a partner at Tegra. Surly and Tegra officials hope to focus on a handful of sites within 30 days. 1 : ' . ~ , I _~. ~t '}~1y~.. . ~-~j may. ..{ A rendering of Surly's proposed $20 million, 60,000- square-foot brewery and beer garden. (Submitted rendering: Surly Brewing Co. In general, city officials insist the proposed brewery goes beyond the dozens of jobs or added tax base it might create. They say it would add cachet and enhance the quality of life in their communities. "It's very much a destination location. ... It would bring so many people to Elk River," said Annie Deckert, Elk Run's economic development director, who is researching locations there to pitch to Surly and Tegra. Hauschild says he and Surly president and founder Omar Ansari have been surprised by the interest. Hauschild attributes it to Surly's enthusiastic customers, the so-called Surly Nation, who successfully lobbied to change state law to allow breweries to sell pints on site. Now they are reaching out to local officials to tout the proposed brewery. "City administrators are listening to them and responding," Hauschild said. Surly has a profitable business selling beers ranging from its hops-heavy Furious beer to the lighter CynicAle. Revenue has grown from $250,000 in 2006, its first full year of operations, to $4.7 million in 2010. Demand has outstripped production, and Surly has stopped selling its products in Wisconsin, South Dakota and Illinois to concentrate on its Twin Cities turf. The new brewery would be Surly's second; its existing 24,000-square-foot facility is at 4811 Dusharme Drive in Brooklyn Center. Surly's plans have inspired Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to wax on about how his great- grandfather brewed beer in New Prague, with the mayor arguing that Surly needs to build along the Mississippi River north of downtown. Minneapolis has yet to make a former proposal to Surly. But Cathy Polasky, the city's economic development director, acknowledges that it would be an attractive business for the city because it would provide some well-paying manufacturing jobs as well as another "cool gathering place." Polasky also mentioned the city has done a great deal to encourage local food and beer. "This fits right into the sweet spot for Minneapolis' economic development," she said. St. Paul officials have already toured a handful of sites with Surly and Tegra officials, said city spokeswoman ]anelle Tummel. Specifically, the St. Paul Port Authority has pitched its Beacon Bluff and River Bend projects, which are both redeveloping old industrial sites in the city. Surly http://finance-commerce.com/wp-content/plugins/dmc_sociable toolbar/wp-print.php?p=... 09/30/2011 Finance & Commerce > Print > Why the froth over Surly? Brewery project draws broad i... Page 2 of 2 might potentially secure a $1-for-land deal not too different from the Port Authority land deal in the late 1990s that resulted in Summit Brewing buildina a brewery on a 4.2-acre site in the Crosby Lake Business Park. Summit, with 56 well-paying jobs, is a great asset to St. Paul, and Surly could be, too, said Port Authority President Louis Jambois. "We are always looking for ways to diversify St. Paul's economy," he said. In Chaska, city administrator Matt Podhradsky sees a potential use for the 12- acre Chaska Building Center lumberyard on the edge of downtown, at 2970 Chaska Blvd., that closed three years ago. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Center's city administrator Curt Boganey has staff looking for potential sites to propose to Surly in the hopes of keeping it all in the city. Twin Cities officials aren't alone, either, in their mania for beer. If Lake Superior Brewing Co. ever proposed building a new brewery and beer garden in either Duluth or Superior, Wis., Duluth's economic development chief, Brian Hanson, says he would also be working hard to make sure Duluth won the business. "Not only do they manufacture, but they're a tourist attraction," Hanson said. Anthony Figliola, a New York-based consultant who helps large companies find new locations around the country, has found that breweries are an attractive option for a community in any economic climate. 'Beer and baseball -that's America right there," Figliola said. "There's a cachet with having a company like that." Complete URL: http://finance-commerce.com/2011/09/why-the-froth-over-surly-brewery-project-draws-broad- interest/ http://finance-commerce.com/wp-content/plugins/dmc_sociable toolbar/wp-print.php?p=... 09/30/2011 Dozens of Twin Cities communities would like to see Surly beer rolling off the assembly line, just as they do at the beer maker's 24,000-square-foot facility at 4811 Dusharme Drive in Brooklyn Center. Surly is proposing spending $20 million on a second metro area brewery that would include a beer garden. (Submitted photo: Surly Brewing Co.) ~~ ~~~P 1~11F ~ t.~ r ~~ ~ ~~« i ' s' ~. F VOtY~!!@ Z7 ~51r8 ~~ QCROt7Cr ~~ ~ ~ Yi ~ .. -. :~~. Tyr 0~ ~-~ ~-~~ Inside #his issue ~'~ ~~-~ Minnesota S#a#e-wide Tour of Manufacturers 2(3t ] -012 Chair-Elect appointed • Your cell phone Page ~ •Yaur child's braces • The airplane you'll #ake on Yaur next vacation Board of Directors action have you ever wondered where common items like these are made? The answer: right in poge 4 your own back yard! Meet new Chamber staff Modeled often the "Parade of Homes" concept, Minnesota's manufacturing companies page ~ will open their doors to the general public during the state-wide Minnesota Tour of Branding the City of Efk River Manufactunng and allow folks to see modern manufacturing for themselves. t'age 4 On Saturday, October 29 you are inv#ed to taus Metal Craft Machine and Engineering, Goad news about members i 37bU Busirh~s Center Drive and other area manufacturers for abehind-the-scenes look page ~ at their Elk River facilities. Tlhe public is invited to attend FREE of charge! Business education page S You drive by these buildings every day; here's your opportunity to see exactly wha# goes on inside. The answer may surprise you. For dirtions, a list of local manufacturers, and New area-wide economic all the up-to-the-minute details visit www.tourofrnonufacturingmn.com develment too! t~ge 6 toevll~ s~ap~art:~ #ay flk Rives A4rea Chamber al Conrerre, Citt+ of Elk l~ii~r Pamir L?evelr.~rrrent Aa+thr~rity crud Minraesv#a 1~York~xcs Center. fmpk~yer workplace updates page 7 Calendar of events page $ iVomin+~te a Business Of the Year The Elk !fiver Area Chaml~r of Commerce Board of D'arectars is smoking nominations for its Business of the Year award to recognize a local business for outstanding contributions to the Change fias a considerable Chamber and the community. The winner will be recagniaed at the annual Business of the psychological impact an t#he Year luncheon on December G. thunhan mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it nesans shat The recipient will be selected by the following criteria: things may get worse. To the ~ Member in good standing of the Elk ltnrer Area Chamber of Ccmmerce hopeful it is encouraging b~ause things may ge# better. Ta the • Contributes and promotes economic growth, stobiGty aratl raaprovemenl in the confident it is inspiriru~ because community. the challenge exists fin make • Involvement and commitment to Chamber programs, events and activities. things better. -- Kirhg 1~h' h, • Involvement in community organizations and activitiQS. Call ~7b3~441-3i 10 ~ rt~ke nomirratioa by ~fl. INFORMATIt'~N Welcome Karen Barth tf ycau s#op h°y or ca99 the Chamber office you will see a new fade or you may laser a new voice on the cattier end of the phone.. Karen garter has jained Chamber staff as our new merniber r~ruitn~ent and website sages ct~rdinatar. Karen has a baLkground in sales,, customer services advertising and public relations, including ex{aerience in newspapers; Publishing and the chamber industry. She has worked witfa the =~tonticello Trees & Shopper and also vv~ifh t9ae Big Lake Cham9~er of Commerce. She believes chart the Chamber is a very important component of a thriuing, successful community, onto is excited to #ae joining this ti I g an ~ Zartlfln. Karen lives in Monticello with her husband, Cfaris, anti two daughters -Emily, 1i5, is a junior- of Spectrum 1-figfa 5chot39 in Ells if-fiver and Elizabeth, 11 monrths, is busy learning to walk and being spoiled. Powered by Nature Powered by the Community Branding the City of Etk Powered by Nature9 l~aat is the tagline rthat a recent grand Plan uses to sum up tfae major characteristics of Elk haver-sa99, friendly, outdoorsy, and e99- iocated. Branding a community is an on-going process #hat should newer stop. It is tlae community image arx9 esdablishes its re ion. The farand is intended to be used not on9y 9~r the econorriic development authori#y who funded the projec#, taut by the endue community. The pu€~lic/ private partnerships are the most important part of rthe #ararad doing its yob. tMaen the entire communiity ~n comrmunicade ids unique sel9irag pro4xasitions, others are naturally attracted to ~t. Think of a raom full of people all singing different nodes inharraacaniousfy. ft is mostly just noise and not particularly pleasant to Ilisten to. Nta+~r think of the same room excep# everyone is siragirag the same note in laarnaony. Suddenly others are attracted to •a beoutifu9 so~undl diy proper9y imple 'ng the branding plan, using existing resources erred fund'ang, a harmonious voice for the communi#y that attracts people from far away is treaded and t is what everyone inwtahryed with the project is looking for_ Local 9~usinesses and organizatitan have the ability to adapt and adopt the branding plan as it fits their needs. That is the beauty ref a we91 researched and developed brand - rt fits flll Lommumity sectorsl for tools grid information ore using the brand, visi# "the Cidy's w .~ at ~_ ~ or the b9txg at ~+nreredbynature.blog:rom. Looking to grow yt~ur business? Charn9~er ConneGtitans IS ytaur chance tta tc~nr9e+Ct amd faulild a '~aA#SIneS'S felatiLansfaip ~~~~ witfa Ike-mirnt loca9 business peflple. .4+Aeetings are raaonthly ~on e 1st and 3rd X ~ ~~~ ~~ 9:30 a.rn, at ~uesdcay mornings from $:~{7 - Minnesota Sacl~ool of Business, 11500 193rd ~...~ .Avenue ~,ny raa'1>er rraem~r cairn at#end to learn more. There are rao dirnits by industry or category. 't't,u tare encouraged #ra visit twice before deciding if i# vzill work fcsr you ~ gain the group.. Gall (7b~) 441-3 1 1 11 or check the Chamber Connections page at www.elk~iwerchaml~er:org fear rn~sore inl~rmation and a ctamplete 1"rst of benefi#s_ ~' iNFaRMATit1N /u ~~t~ ~f Kver MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority FROM: Annie Deckert, Director of Economic Development DATE: 10 October 201 1 SUBJECT: River's Edge Update ATTAC H M E NTS• • River's Edge minutes dated 9-14-11 • Kemper Drug Powered By Nature • 2°d Annual River's Edge Art Crawl Staff continues to attend the monthly Downtown River's Edge Business Association meetings to maintain our relationship with the downtown businesses. Staff presented an overview of the brand plan to the group at their September 14`h meeting. Attached you will see a couple of examples of how Kemper Drug and the Arts Alliance have begun utilizing our community's brand, Powered by Nature. The Arts Alliance will be holding its 2"d Annual Art Crawl on Thursday, October 20`" from 5pm-9pm in downtown Elk River. Local artists will be displaying and selling their art in downtown businesses. Refreshments will be served at the Arts Alliance and other participating businesses. This event is sponsored by the River's Edge Business Association and the City of Elk River Parks and Recreation Department. N:\Departments\Community Development\Economic Development\Downtown Revitalization\Rivers Edge\2011\10-3-11 EDA update.doc Rivers Edge Minutes Sept 14, 2011 Attending: Fred McCoy(McCoy's Pub), Wendy Simenson (Kemper Drug), Clay Wilfahrt (EDA Assistant ), John Stander (Arts Alliance), Tony Mikols (Dare's Funeral Home), Tanna Anderson (1St National Bank), Stephanie Albans (Park and Rec) Annie Deckert (EDA Director) Neil Gagnon (The Bank of Elk River), Deb Rydberg (Chamber of Commerce), Sandi Yaedo (Edward Jones) Meeting was called to order at 2:30PM on Wednesday, Sept 14, 2011. Treasurer's Report: Neil Reported that there is 2488.81 in our account. Secretary's Report: Old Business: City Update by Annie: City is upgrading and expanding Public Works Facility -should be completed in 2013. Northstar train will be running for all Vikings games. The parking lot resurfacing was ahead of schedule and so downtown businesses were not adequately informed that the parking lot would be closed the morning that it was. Discussion followed about the importance of downtown businesses knowing ahead of time when access to the lot would be restricted. Clay Wilfahrt has been hired by the City of Elk River as the Assistant Director of Economic Development. He will be attending RiversEdge meetings and working with downtown businesses to promote business downtown as Annie has been doing. Annie will still try to come to our meetings and help out when she is available. The Windows at the empty building next to the Arts Alliance could have its windows painted as an advertisement for upcoming downtown events such as the ArtCrawl, Halloween Downtown and Downtown Holiday Celebration. Park and Rec Update: New Park and Rec Director has been hired. His name is Michael Hecker and he is from Mason Ohio. He will start the 1St week of October. Park and Rec offices will be moving from Lions Park to City Hall. The move should be completed by November. The January edition of the Park and Rec guide will be going to press soon. Any information that Downtown needs included should get to Stephanie before October. Fright night will be held on October 22°d in Lions Park. Businesses desiring a table on the "treat trail" to pass out info and goodies should let Stephanie know. There are 2 more movies in the park scheduled for this year. Pumpkin Roll: Plans are being made for our first annual downtown pumpkin roll fundraiser for RiversEdge. A course will be set up by RiversEdge Commons Park. People can buy a pumpkin and propel it down the course. McCoys will be offering a Trip to LasVegas for the winner. Tanna is trying to secure pumpkin donations. The date is tentatively set for October 29t" ArtCrawl: There will be an ArtCrawl downtown Elk River on Thursday, October 20t". It will run from 5 to 9PM. There are currently 17 artists signed up. Fred is contacting businesses to host artists. If you are interested in having artists set up at your business that evening, let him know. Samples of the art that will be for sale will be up in businesses prior to the event. There will be a Mariachi Band strolling through the streets. Goose River Farms and Winery will be holding a wine tasting at the Arts Alliance Gallery. Posters will be passed out to put up downtown. Maps listing artists and businesses participating will be posted online and handed out the night of the ArtCrawl. We will once again do a word find and prize for completed entry to encourage people to visit all of the locations. Powered by Nature -Energized by Art! It would be wonderful if all downtown businesses would decorate outside their buildings for Fall/Halloween to make downtown more festive for this event and Halloween Halloween Downtown Trick or Treating: Friday October 28, 2011 from l OAM to SPM. Businesses who wish to participate can put up signs in their windows that say Welcome Trick or Treaters. The park will be staffed by Park and Rec, and it will be decorated for Halloween Photos. Wendy will contact Donna Busch to see if she can share some of her decorations and help us decorate it. Park and Rec will supply hay bales. There will be face painting at the Arts Alliance. We are targeting this event to 12 and under and parents or caregivers. More information will be provided. Those who wish to give out candy for a shorter period of time can take the signs out of your windows when you are done or out of candy. Downtown Holiday Celebration Saturday December 10tH (incorrect day on agenda). We have confirmed that the animals will be available for that day (Wendy will check on cost) as will Santa. The Toy Soldiers will be back. Stephanie has gift bags that we can fill for Santa to hand out. Pick up some extra Halloween Candy, gift items or coupons and bring them to the November Rivers Edge Meeting so the bags can be filled. We will also contact Gifts Anonymous and ask them to drop off boxes for donations. Sandi would like to see a big reusable artificial tree put in the park for a back drop and also suggested that we have a tree lighting ceremony downtown. Possible locations for the tree to light are on the corner by The Bank of Elk River or in Rivers Edge Commons Park. Sandi has been pricing trees -run around $6,000 for a big one. If you will be running any special promotion this day, let Wendy know. We will be putting together a flyer and advertising what is happening downtown on Dec lOtni Rivers Edge Dues: We sent out dues requests last week along with info about RiversEdge and Agendas for the Sept meeting. It would be nice to have a full treasury as we approach this busy season for downtown. Chamber of Commerce update: Oktoberfest will be held Thursday, October 6, 2011 5:30 p.m. at Riverwood Inn, 10990 95th Street NE, Otsego $35.00 per person. The entire community is invited to this fun event. German food, music a silent auction and games will be provided. Tickets are available from the chamber of commerce http://www.elkriverchamber.org/pages/Oktoberfest/ The Chamber is partnering with community ed to offer a "Business Education over Lunch" Series. The ,first Class will be The Top Reasons Businesses Fail and Date: October 19, 2011 Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. Classes are $29 for Chamber members. Remember if you are a chamber member you can put your calendar items on the chamber website calendar. If you want to get a monthly email from the chamber with a listing of whats happening for the month, sign up for the Chamber's Community Gram email which comes out once monthly. Tax Exempt Status: The check will be in the mail shortly to update Rivers Edge Tax Status. New Business: Clay presented information on the Branding Project: The Power of the Brand: A community's reputation will be defined by its government, its businesses, its organizations and its residents - or, it will be defined by others. The City of Elk River just finished the first stage of its branding journey -defining who we are as a city and how we want people to think of us. The brand promise which was put forth is: Elk River Brand Promise: For people who want to breathe the outdoors, yet want access to big city amenities, Elk River is an emerging small city where the Elk and Mississippi Rivers flow together on the fringe of the Twin Cities and where the heart is powered by its nature so you are energized and inspired to make a difference. This brand isn't just for the City to use but for all members of the community to use. Feel free to add it to your tagline, use it on your letter head or on your emails. We know how the beauty of our natural amenities in Elk River and the caring nature of our residents makes Elk River a great place to be -the next step is for us to share this fact! Red Cross Blood Drive: There will be a Red Cross Blood Mobile parked by 1St Naional Bank of October 3~d from 9AM to 1P1V1. The process takes about an hour. You can sign up with Tanna at 1St National ahead of time, or just knock on the door of the blood mobile. SnoCross Race ERX National Track March 10-11, 2012: Annie, Clay, Fred and Wendy have a meeting scheduled with Chris Carlson of Sportech on Sept 15, to discuss partnership opportunities for the ISOC SnoCross race that is scheduled at the ERX National Track in Elk River in March. Chris expects 8000 visitors to Elk River that weekend to view and participate in the activities. Our goal is to steer some of those people to beautiful downtown Elk River. We will ask about getting business directories and maps to downtown in the racers packets and discuss ways to have a presence at the track. The meeting was adjourned at 3:45PM Next meeting will be Wednesdy October 12, 2011 2:30PM at Edward Jones i ~ '~ K ~~ r ~~~ ~' ~? . ~_ ' ; ~,:.. .I .+ `~~ 3 ~~ 0 } m a 2nd Annual Downtown Elk River Thursday, October 20, 2011 5PM to 9PM Stroll Through Downtown Elk River and see Local Artists displaying and selling their art in Downtown Businesses. Listen to music, enjoy refreshments Enter a drawing to win $100.00' Sponsored by The RiversEdge Downtown Business Assoc., The Arts Alliance and by The City of Elk River Park and Rec Dept. .~ `_~ ~ ....: ~. ilk ....:: bringing home the arts R1Ver Parks and Recreation *Attendees can compete for a cash prize by completing a "Mystery Phrase" as they visit the various artists. The prize will be awarded via a drawing. Refreshments will be served at the Arts Alliance as well as some of the other locations.