EDSR INFORMATION 12-12-2011INFORMATION
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TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Annie Deckert, Director of Economic Development
DATE: December 12, 201 I
SUBJECT: Executive Director Update
The purpose of this periodic memorandum is to keep the EDA and HRA informed of
various ongoing activities that often go on behind the scenes in the Economic Development
Division. EDA and HRA Commissioners should feel free to bring up any questions or
issues for discussion under the "Other Business" section of the Agenda.
EDA Micro Loans
Staff continues to monitor the following micro loans: Ethanol Technologies of MN and
Nicole's Salon. In addition, staff has met with and provided Micro Loan information to
several prospective businesses.
An Energy Efficiency Rehabilitation program was approved by the EDA earlier this year to
provide additional incentives fox existing businesses as well as new businesses.
Restaurant Recruitment
An update was provided to the EDA and HRA in September outlining efforts. Staff has
initiated new recruitment activities in addition to the efforts outlined in the September
memo.
Staff heavIly promoted our SAC/WAC payment program for full service restaurants at the
2011 Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors (MNCAR). In addition, staff will be
promoting this program through the distribution of the economic development holiday card.
Staff has met with several developers to communicate our incentives, and discuss properties
within Elk River feasible for restaurants. Staff is working with the broker of the old Hardees
facility to fill the vacant building.
Marketing material
Staff is working to update and redesign our marketing materials to implement our brand.
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Economic development website
Outlined as a priority in the brand plan, staff is working with several web designers to obtain
quotes for a new website. This is an item which has been approved in the 2012 budget.
Staff anticipates the website to be complete mid-2012.
Greater MSP
Greater MSP is a private-public partnership funded by business, institutions, and
government, whose mission is to stimulate economic growth and prosperity, and higher
quality of life for citizens in the Metropolitan region. Its primary role is to be a value-added
resource to all economic development organizations and activities in the region. In addition,
Greater MSP hopes to better coordinate the activities of the region's economic development
partners by providing vision, strategy, resources, and staff support to link state and local
governments and organizations involved with job creation, marketing, recruitment and
retention.
Staff and EDA Commissioners Ron Touchette and Pat Dwyer attended an information
roundtable with Greater MSP to educate the organization about Elk River, its attractions and
resources. Since then, a prospective business lead has been provided to Elk River. No more
information is available at this time. Staff will continue to work with Greater MSP on
business recruitment.
Recent Inquiries/Prospects
Most prospects through the MNCAR system have been focused on searches fox existing
buildings, including restaurants, rather than new construction. Staff has been working with
Sherburne County, Elk River Municipal Utilities and GreaterMSP to market acounty-owned
piece of property for a future data center. Staff is following up with a few inquiries from the
MNCAR Expo interested in the new SAC/WAC payment program fox full service
restaurants.
716 & 720 Main Street
In October of 2011, the HRA authorized moving forward with the demolition process for
these buildings because of their structural condition. Staff is working with Randy
Schumacher from the Schumacher Group on management of this project. A mandatory
walk through fox all bidders was held late November, and bid opening took place on
December 6`". There is asbestos present in both buildings; because of this, there are notices
which need to be provided to applicable agencies which extends the anticipated timeline. It
is anticipated a minimum the asbestos removal will take a minimum of three days, and demo
and backfill will take approximately three to four days. The project will be executed from
the north side of the buildings in the parking lot; staff anticipates only a portion of the
parking lot to be closed. Staff will work closely with downtown businesses to ensure this
information is communicated.
The HRA will be considering a demolition contract at their December 12`h special meeting.
Per approval, staff will be moving forward with the process. The buildings are anticipated to
come down sometime during the last week in December/first week of January. A verbal
update regarding the HRA action will be provided at the EDA meeting.
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Staff has worked closely with Elk River Meats in regard to project communication. Elk
River Meats will be closed for business during the time of anticipated demolition.
At the November HRA meeting, the HRA directed staff to explore potential uses for this
site after demolition. Staff will be researching this topic and report back the HRA at a future
meeting.
Elk River Axea Axts Alliance (ERAAA)
The ERAAA has relocated to 310 and 314 Jackson place and held their grand opening on
December 10`h. The ERAAA indicated this is a temporary location.
Region 7W Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CFDS)
In 2009, staff and a few EDA, HRA Commissioners and the Mayor participated in public
information meetings to develop economic development strategies fox the Region 7W
(Stearns, Benton, Wright, Sherburne Counties). The CEDS analyzes the regional economy
and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, devising and
implementing a regional plan of action, and identifying investment priorities and funding
sources. A CEDS is required by the US Dept. of Commerce in order to access federal
economic development grants for infrastructure, disaster recovery and some stimulus
funding programs. The CEDS plan was recently completed and submitted fall 2010.
Staff attends periodic meetings to discuss this plan and to learn about potential grants and
programs which we may be eligible fox.
Branding Implementation
The Powered by Nature brand is growing quickly. Numerous businesses and organizations
utilize the brand, and staff continues to move forward with brand implementation. Staff
created a Powered by Nature blog, and the logo can be seen on city materials including emaIl
signatures, business cards, letterhead, agendas, memos, receipts, and more. The City's
branding steering committee developed a list of the 23 most high-impact and important
goals and assigned a responsible party and timeline fox each. The branding subcommittee is
working to branch out by identifying and assembling a Brand Champions Team led and
chaired by the private sector with a staff liaison.
Social Media Evaluation
Staff is working to review, evaluate, coordinate and benchmark city social media presences.
This process begins by critically analyzing social media presences to determine audience,
voice and consistency. Following the analysis is development of a plan to optimize social
media presence by targeting each voice at its audience and maintaining a consistent presence
through message automation. Finally, staff is setting benchmarks fox each social media
presence and measuring success accordingly. This evaluation is anticipated to be complete
early 20]2.
Tan Law
Earlier this year, a brewer taproom license (otherwise known as the "Surly Bill" and "Minnesota
Pint Law" (Subd. 6, Section 340A.101) was approved by the MN Legislature. Included in the
annual omnibus liquor bill (HF 1326), this gives production breweries such as Surly, Schell's,
Summit, etc. the opportunity to sell pints of beer at their brewery.
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Staff has prepared a draft taproom ordinance for Council consideration at a future meeting.
Business subsidy reporting
In 2009, the Bank of Elk River was granted an extension to achieve their job and wage goals
as outlined in their'1'ax Abatement and Business Subsidy agreement which was approved in
2007 for the renovation and expansion of their downtown location, extending their deadline
to September of 201 L In October, The Bank requested an additional two year extension
which was approved by the City Council, extending their job creation and wage goal deadline
date to September of 2013.
Staff continues to complete the mandatory annual reporting to the state fox other tax
abatement and business subsidy agreements.
Northstar Commuter RaIl
Staff continues to attend the Northstar Commuter Rail marketing meetings to promote
ridership. Staff utilizes our city website and social media to promote the train service. In
addition, Go 'I'o cards (discounted train tickets) axe avaIlable at City Hall for purchase.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development received a grant to execute a
market analysis study along the Noxthstax Corridor. Staff has met with consultants and will
continue working with them to provide community information, plans and resources. An
open house revealing the results is anticipated to be held mid-2012.
Foreclosure Initiatives
The strategies to address foreclosures in Elk River axe 3-fold - 1) Prevention 2) Preserve &
Secure and 3) Recovery. To address this issue, staff applied for and received the
Neighborhoods Stabilization Program grant to provide applicants with down payment
assistance. A total of 13 households were provided down payment assistance ranging from
$5,000 to $14,999 (not including matching sources) as a result of the City's NSP program.
Staff has conducted several outreach presentations with various community groups
regarding the city's strategies in addressing foreclosures as well as communicating resources
available through partner agencies like the MN Homeownership Centex and HOME Line.
Quarterly mailing of this information is provided to local banks, mortgage companies,
churches and non-profits. Staff continues to collect foreclosure data from the county and
share information with various city departments to monitor these neighborhoods and
prevent issues arising from vacant homes. 1"his interdepartmental communication will be
more important going into the winter season to prevent water damage in foreclosed homes.
Staff maintains an in-house list outlining avaIlable properties within the city which may not
be listed on the larger databases
Minnesota's Manufacturer's Week
Minnesota Manufacturers Week is held every year to recognize the contributions of
manufacturers to the economy. This year staff paxmexed with Big Lake and Monticello to
organize a Manufacturers Meet and Greet The Meet and Greet was held to establish a
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network between manufacturers, educational facilities, and workforce resources. The event
had roughly 15 participants and will be held again in January at the request of the
manufacturers.
Staff partnered with the Chamber and Minnesota Workforce Centex to host a tour of Metal
Craft on October 29'h.
Business Retention/Expansion Visits
An update will be provided at the EDA meeting. Additionally, staff is a member of the Elk
River Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown River's Edge Business Association, Two
Rivers Referrals networking group and the local Biz to Biz chapter to strengthen
relationships with local retail and commercial businesses.
Local Business updates
• E & O Tool and Plastics recently celebrated their 25`h year anniversary.
• Elk River Printing has been chosen as the 2011 Chamber Business of the year
• Pizza Ranch will be opening on December 12`h
• JoAnn Fabrics opened late November
• Ashley Furniture celebrated their grand opening on December S'h
• Nicole's Salon closed late November
• Simenson' s Salon and Spa closed in October; Bella Salon relocated from Carson
Street Station to this location
• Hardees closed in September and moved to a new facility in Rogers
Other updates
The activities below axe outlined in the Economic Development Strategic Plan and 2011
Vision & Goals status update. Please refer to these documents for additional information
• Commercial/Industrial Sites inventory
• 171" Focused Area Study
• Data Center marketing
• Future industrial park site identification
• 2012 Housing Study
• Downtown revitalization plan
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M1~~a INFORMATION
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INFORMATION
NIEMORAIVDUM
TO: Economic Development Authority t:ommissioners
FR01'i: Mayor Johu Diet~`~`~`
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DATE: November 14, 20ll
SUBJECT: Commissioner Appoir-tment
elfter a lengthy thou~,ht process, I hay°e decided to aslc the City Council to aptn-oce the
appointnicnt of [3ryan Provo as an EI~A commissioner eCicctive January (, 2C)1?.
I Feel strongly that in<lusfry needs to be represented on the L1:~A. At(ractiit~ industry to
F.Ik RIVC?C to expand our tas I,~ase is one ofthe main eoals of the [i;DA.
Bryan is the Vice President of Alliance :Machine Inc, a tlu~iving business in the North
Star busuiuas park. on fhc eastern end of Che city. He is anxious to become more involaed
in I'iis commtmity.
I thank Ron Touchette Iin' hi, six veais as an EDA commissioner. 11e has done a good job
serF°ing the citicens of Gll< Ri~~er.
Phune: 7G3.G3 1.1000
1'a~_?63.635.7090
me~~cci.elk-river.nntus
13065 Qrono Narku•xy
Hlk River, EIS 55310
INFORMATION
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