4.10 SR 04-01-2013
REQUEST FOR ACTION
T O I TEM N UMBER
Mayor and City Council 4.10
A GENDA S ECTION M EETING D ATE P REPARED BY
ConsentApril 1, 2013Clay Wilfahrt, Assistant Director of
Economic Development
I TEM D ESCRIPTION R EVIEWED B y
Resolution in Support of Big Lake’s Application for Suzanne Fischer, Director,
Transportation Economic Development Funding for Proposed Community Operations and
Big Lake Regional Rail Park Development
R EVIEWED BY
AR
CTION EQUESTED
Consider a resolution supporting Big Lake’s application for Transportation Economic Development
(TED) Funding for the proposed Big Lake Regional Rail Park.
B/D
ACKGROUNDISCUSSION
The City of Big Lake, MN is seeking funding for the proposed Big Lake Regional Rail Park. The park
will open up over 200 acres of land for industrial development and is expected to create 800-1,500 jobs.
The residual impacts of the large development, such as employees purchasing homes and shopping at
local retailers, will benefit neighboring communities including Elk River.
City of Big Lake staff has asked if the City of Elk River would express support for their application for
TED funding in the form of a resolution. The attached resolution states the expected benefits of the
development and expresses the City Council’s support for Big Lake’s application. The resolution will be
included as an attachment in Big Lake’s application for TED funding.
A
TTACHMENTS
Resolution
Action
Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
RESOLUTION NO.____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
SUPPORTING THE APPLICATION OF BIG LAKE, MINNESOTA FOR
TRANSPORTATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FOR ITS
REGIONAL RAIL PARK
WHEREAS, Big Lake, Minnesota is seeking Transportation Economic Development funding from
the State of Minnesota for the proposed Big Lake Regional Rail Park; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Rail Park will create potential for jobs, increased tax base, and improved
rail infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, securing the funding would significantly assist Big Lake in moving forward with the
development of the Big Lake Regional Rail Park; and
WHEREAS, the development of the rail park could create 800-1,500 full-time jobs, which would
be beneficial to the region, available workforce, community members, and local businesses; and
WHEREAS, support from the Elk River City Council will strengthen the application for funding
and help the Big Lake Regional Rail Park be developed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Elk River that the City
Council officially supports Big Lake’s application to the State of Minnesota for Transportation
Economic Development funding for the Big Lake Rail Park project.
st
Passed and adopted by the Elk River City Council this 1 day of April, 2013.
ATTEST: John Dietz, Mayor
Tina Allard, City Clerk