5.0. EDSR 11-13-1996 ITEM 5.
• Economic Development Strategic Planning Presentation Summary
The process of economic development strategic planning began in
October, 1996, with a group of approximately 16 citizen participants
representing numerous parties involved in economic development in
the City of Elk River. The process is being facilitated by Mr. Jim
Brimeyer and began with the presentation of several simple questions
for the purpose of framing the strategic planning process:
• Who are we?
• What are the basic social and political needs we exist to fill?
• What do we want to do to recognize and respond to these
needs?
• What should be our response to our stakeholders?
• What is our philosophy and core values?
• What makes us distinctive or unique?
II. Upon completion of this activity, the Task Force proceeded to
undertake a SWOT analysis (strength, weaknesses, opportunities,
threats). Strengths and Weaknesses are the internal resources, forces,
and directions that shape the organization. Conversely, Opportunities
and Threats are forces which are occurring or are expected to occur in
the organizations external environment.
III. At its next meeting, the Strategic Planning Task Force began to
discuss the central element of any organizational strategic planning
process - the Mission Statement. The Mission Statement represents
the basic values and philosophies which constitute the mission of a
governmental organization. This mission shapes the broad directions
of the organization and confirms the success of its policies and
programs.
IV. Utilizing the SWOT analysis, the Task Force proceeded with
identification of strategic economic development issues.
Approximately 26 major issues were identified. Utilizing the nominal
group technique, the Task Force prioritized each of these major issues.
The four issues in order of priority are as follows:
1. Industrial Base
2. Internal Business Retention/Growth
3. East Highway 10 - Development/Redevelopment
4. Downtown Redevelopment
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It is important to note that establishing financing options to address
each of these issues rated as a high priority. Identifying these
financing options will become part of the action plan for each of the
• prioritized issues.
V. The purpose of this current step in the process is to gather input from
the community's "stakeholders", as listed below, to assure the Task
Force has considered all of the significant factors related to economic
development in the City of Elk River.
At this time the Task Force is interested in obtaining input on the
information and discussions which have occurred to this point. Input
will be solicited from the following groups:
• City Council
• Economic Development Authority
• Housing and Redevelopment Authority
• Utilities Commission
• Rivers Edge Downtown Development Corporation
• Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
VI. The remainder of the strategic planning process includes completing a
specific action plan for each of the four final prioritized economic
development issues. Each of the four final issues will be identified
with a goal, and specific steps which will be taken in order to
accomplish the goal and address the issue.
Your Task Force representative will recognize all input provided at
this time and bring that input back to the Strategic Planning Task
Force for discussion and consideration. We look to conclude the
strategic planning process prior to the end of 1996 and begin
implementation of the plan in 1997.
Attached is the following information:
• List of Strategic Planning Task Force representatives
• SWOT Analysis
• Draft Mission Statement
• 26 Major Economic Development Issues as Identified by the
Task Force
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STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
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Jeff Gongoll - EDA Dick Gongoll - Bank
13900 Riverview Drive First National Bank Elk River
Ph: 428-4466 (w) 729 Main Street
Ph: 441-2200 (w)
Jim Simpson - Bank Rich Duggan - Chamber
Bank of Elk River Marketech Inc
630 Main Street 18940 York Street
Ph: 441-1000(w) Ph: 441-8664 (w)
Jackie Schuelein - Chamber Tom Bender - EDA
Chamber of Commerce 12516 Ridgewood Dr
509 Highway 10 Ph: 441-2121 (w)
Ph: 441-3110 (w)
Duane Kropuenske - HRA Larry Farber - Council
First National Bank 19404 Norfolk Ave NW
729 Main Street Ph: 572-3636 (w)
Ph: 241-3609 (w)
George Zabee - Utilities Hank Duitsman - Mayor
41111 329 Morton Ave NW 12354 Ridgewood Dr
Ph: 441-1443 (h) Ph: 540-3520 (w)
Paul Ammerman - Chamber Recording Secretary
P.O. Box 800 Star News
Ph: 241-2249(w) Citizen
STAFF:
Paul Steinman, Director of Economic Development 441-4905
441-7425 Fax
Pat Klaers, City Administrator 441-4907
441-7425 Fax
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Steve Ach, City Planner 441-4902
441-7425 Fax
Bryan Adams, General Manager Elk River Utilities 441-2020
441-8099 Fax
FACILITATOR:
Jim Brimeyer, Brimeyer Group 945-0246
40 904 Main Street
Suite 205 945-0102 Fax
Hopkins, MN 55343
s:\eda\meetings\spdist.doc
• SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
-UPA
-location
-committed progressive leadership
-strong city government (well-managed)
-source for construction materials
-sense of community, identity
-sense of volunteerism
-natural resources (river,woods, rural)
-schools
-current growth rate
-destination shopping
-non-metro metro
-downtown
-highways
-sewer capacity
-land availability and prices
-affordable housing (full cycle)
-recreational facility (Mn Sports Federation)?
-current tax rate
-metro phone
-updated comprehensive plan
-funding for education-employment transition
• -energy city designation
Weaknesses
-lack of industrial land with water and sewer available
-train movement (55 per day)
-fragmented downtown
-lack of public transportation (bus or cabs)
-youth activities
-perception of Elk River location (identification with St. Cloud)
-no spec buildings available for industrial
-lack of focus- no strategy
-lack of skills training
-commuter population
-labor availability
Opportunities
-tourism
-energy city
-incubator industry
-Mn Sports Federation sports complex
-restaurants, hotels
-101 completion
-reputation of Minnesota (technical, educational)
-natural resource amenities
-society work habits -commuters (reverse)
• -identify with metro area (airport, highways)
-population shift
-met council policies
• -funding sources for business (Initiative Funding, Anoka County)
-river development
Threats
-Met Council MUSA line
-incentives from other jurisdictions (cities,states)
-inflation
-building locations
-fragmented school district
-unmanaged growth - City Council
-Excess retail
-utility companies/personal property tax issue
-landfills in gravel pits
-power lines
-electric deregulation
-county attitude
MAJOR ECONCOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AS IDENTIFIED BY
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
1. Develop political leadership
2. Develop realistic/achievable goals
3. Capitalize on Energy City potential
1110 4. Increase industrial base (utility extension plan, land designation and purchase)
5. Implement incubator plan
6. Strong public/private coordination
7. Priorities/focus on economic development
8. Educate/communicate the citizens
9. Promote community events to foster sense of community
10. Redevelopment of downtown- use river as amenity
11. Develop river corridor through community
12. Determine school funding priorities
13. East Highway 10-development/redevelopment
14. Establish finance options for development
15. Explore local transit system (revised system)
16. Define, manage commercial expansion
17. Develop "how can we help" attitude
18. Market Elk River as part of metro area
19. Develop internal highway system
20. Develop new specialty area (hotels, restaurants, etc.)
21. Build community center (make decision)
22. How can we take advantage of mining industry
23. Encourage internal business retention/growth
24. Develop external focused marketing strategy
25. Improve cooperation/coordination with school district and county
26. Create quality jobs
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stratpin\pressumm.doc
DRAT
411 MISSION STATEMENT
The City of Elk River is an historic river community serving as a regional center and
strategically located in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area.
The community takes pride in providing quality services and maintaining a favorable tax
rate. We promote an environment that results in the growth of industry and businesses
and provides job opportunities and housing options for all of our residents.
It is our mission to actively participate in the marketplace and to utilize our community
resources to leverage viable, sound investment in the community. This investment will
produce livable wages, full-cycle housing and a citizenry that sees Elk River as their
community in which to live and work.
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1111 List of Meetings to Present Strategic Planning Information
Chamber Board November 5
Utilities Commission November 12
Economic Development Authority November 13
City Council November 18
Rivers Edge Downtown Development Corp. November 20
Housing and Redevelopment Authority November 25
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