8.0. EDSR 01-08-1996 v
• 1996 Economic Development Work Program
Elk River, Minnesota
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
A. Elk River Industrial Park:
In late 1995, the Elk River EDA sold its last publicly-owned
parcel to the Elk River Area public schools (District 728). The
remaining vacant parcel in the Industrial Park is a 2.39-acre lot
that is privately owned. A buyer has emerged for this parcel
and has it under option until the end of March, 1996. While
success is wished upon this company, the economic development
department stands prepared to actively recruit other light
manufacturing companies to ensure that this site is sold.
B. Other Industrial Areas:
The department will continue to work with owners/developers of
• other industrially-zoned areas in the community. These areas
include the McChesney Industrial Park, Ar-Mon Commercial
Park, and RR Industrial Park. During 1995, Rail 10 Park sold
its remaining parcels and is now considered fully developed.
Prospects that have specific sites/facility needs that represent a
good match for the above-referenced industrial areas will be
referred to the respective owners.
C. Business Park Area:
1995 witnessed the development of the initial phase of the Elk
River Business Center (Business Park). Joplin Street was
constructed and it now connects Mississippi Road to US
Highway 10. In addition, a frontage road, known as Business
Center Drive, was constructed. Municipal water and sewer lines
were also installed to the Center's initial 37.5 acres. This was
done without the benefit of city funds to underwrite a portion of
the infrastructure costs. A 20,000 square foot convenience
center was constructed and is ready for occupancy. In addition,
the Center's first light manufacturing company obtained tax
increment financing (TIF) assistance to support the construction
• of its facility on a 3.0-acre lot. To continue with this momentum,
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• the city and EDA will likely continue to provide public financing
programs and incentives on a case by case basis.
1996 may not be too early to begin discussions with the adjacent
owner of Business Park property to ensure that it is available
for immediate development as more and more light
manufacturing companies are attracted to the Center's initial
phase.
2. CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
A. County Administration Building:
The department will continue to work with the listing agents as
well as the inquiries it receives on the Sherburne County
Administration Building in downtown Elk River. The building
may require extraordinary costs due to its rehabilitation for a
prospective user. Therefore, public financing and/or incentives
from, say, the Elk River HRA may be necessary.
B. King Avenue/Main Street Redevelopment Area:
Three contiguous parcels in the northwest quadrant of King
Avenue and Main Street in downtown Elk River continue to be
listed for sale. The 32,400 square foot site (180 feet by 180 feet)
is ripe for redevelopment as two of the three parcels are
currently vacant. The remaining parcel has reverted back to a
residential use and serves as a non-homesteaded apartment.
Because of the extraordinary costs associated with site
assembly, demolition, and site preparation, a TIF District may
have to be created to assist with this area's successful
redevelopment. The department will continue to solicit
developer interest in order to encourage private sector
reinvestment into this area.
C. Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project:
The department will continue to build upon the momentum of
the efforts of the Riverfront Corridor Committee. By April or
May of 1996, it is expected that the city will learn of its fate with
the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA)
Grant application.
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• D. Downtown Events:
The department will continue to work with downtown
businesses and the Area Chamber of Commerce in the planning
of various special events/activities in the central business
district throughout the year.
3. BUSINESS RECRUITMENT/BUSINESS RETENTION
The department will continue to work in a proactive way to recruit
new businesses to Elk River. The retention of existing businesses also
remains a high priority. Now that Sherburne County has hired a full
time economic development coordinator, it may be appropriate to
evaluate and undertake a county-wide survey of manufacturers. A
similar survey was done in 1992.
The Elk River manufacturing companies continue to meet on an
informal basis and the economic development department has been
included in many of the meetings. This represents a great opportunity
to network with the industrial leaders to learn firsthand of specific
issues facing them. It also represents an opportunity for the business
leaders to learn about various state and local financing programs and
incentive programs to assist with upcoming expansions.
4. STAR CITY RECERTIFICATION
The department will continue to participate in the Star City Program
as sponsored by the Department of Trade and Economic Development
(DTED). In 1996, the economic development department will
determine Elk River's eligibility for one or more of DTED's special
recognition awards. If applicable, the awards/recognitions will be
pursued.
Although the Star City Program has evolved since its inception, it
continues to be a very beneficial program. Many of its principals
would be implemented with or without the Star City designation.
5. RETAIL SALES ESTIMATES AND EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATES
The department will continue to provide estimates of the growth in
retail sales and full time employment opportunities in Elk River. This
information is annually obtained through the Minnesota Department
of Revenue and the Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training.
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6. DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS AND COMMUNITY PROFILE
Demographic statistics are updated at the first of the year and serve a
useful purpose to those individuals and companies seeking specific
information on construction activity, population distribution, and
disposable income estimates, etc.
The department will continue to work with the Chamber of Commerce
in a collaborative effort to prepare and distribute the 1996 Community
Profile.
7. OUTREACH/PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
The department will continue to market the City of Elk River as a
growth-oriented community with an exceptional variety of business
incentive and business financing programs. To support this initiative,
periodic advertising in publications such as the Minnesota Real Estate
Journal, Business Media, Corporate Report Ventures, and Twin Cities
Business Monthly, etc., will continue. An east way to supplement the
• advertising efforts is to undertake periodic mailings of the city's
marketing brochure, video presentation, and other targeted mailings.
8. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
The department will continue to monitor proposed legislation during
the upcoming session which may have an impact on economic
development activities. This information will be disseminated to the
EDA, City Council, city staff, HRA, and the business community.
9. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER
The department will continue to prepare and distribute the quarterly
newsletter that is devoted to economic development topics in Elk
River. The newsletter's mailing list contains just under 1,800 names
and will be refined and expanded upon as necessary in 1996.
10. COMMUNITY RELATIONS
As opportunities present themselves, the city/EDA should continue its
leadership of sponsoring or jointly-sponsoring workshops, speakers,
forums, or seminars on topics of interest to specific groups in the
community.
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In addition, information on business expansions, EDA Micro Loan
approvals, and redevelopment activities, etc., will be disseminated to
opinion leaders for publication.
11. WORKSHOPS
The department will continue to schedule workshops with the EDA,
HRA, and other civic-based organizations during 1996. Workshops
were introduced in 1995 and proved to be a successful way to present
issues for broad discussion at a less formal forum.
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