6.1. EDSR 07-18-2016
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority 6.1
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General BusinessJuly 18, 2016Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description Reviewed by
Marketing Update Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Item presented for information.
Background/Discussion
Staff continues to partner with Sherburne County, Greater MSP, and Minnesota Marketing Partnership
through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The
partnerships allow the opportunity to attend market visits, conferences and trade shows.
Trade Shows/Conferences:
The city was part of the Minnesota Delegation which included DEED, Irongate Data Centers, Great
River Energy, Michaud Cooley, and Dakota Electric at the Annual Spring Data Center World conference
in Las Vegas. Staff also attended the National Data Center Summit in Chicago. Both trade shows were
well attended and various contacts were made. Staff is pursuing other trade shows to attend that focus
on our other three targeted industries; manufacturing, medical device and energy-related businesses.
Market/Site Visits:
The Site Visit Team, which includes a representative from Sherburne County, ERMU and Economic
Development staff met with a John Botnen from Irongate Data Centers on February 11 to tour the
county data center site. Irongate has two colocation data centers in the metro. They work with potential
clients who ultimately lease space/racks inside the centers. Staff continues to follow-up with Irongate.
Video:
Staff worked with the city’s video production team to produce a short video highlighting Economic
Development staff and what they do for businesses in the Elk River community. The video is an
opportunity for businesses and residents to meet staff and learn what Economic Development does for
the community. The video will be uploaded to the new EDA/HRA website and is also posted on the
city’s YouTube channel.
Marketing/Newsletter:
The Community Profile is finally completed. Staff has distributed the profile at trade shows, conferences
and during market visits. The Signature Packet/Portfolio is in the process of being printed and that too
will be distributed to the masses very soon.
Staff created a monthly newsletter in Constant Contact highlighting a business/project which is sent to
site selectors, developers, and contacts made during trade show events. The EDA will be added to the
list. The mailing list has over 1,050 contacts and the program allows contacts to opt out if they choose.
The program also tracks the number of opens and hits to the highlighted business’s website. The first
email that went out had an open rate of 20%.
Advertising:
During the first six months of the year we have advertised in four different trade industry publications
and local organizational directories. The total reach for all publications as of June 20, 2016, were 137,200
subscribers at an expense of $11,115.00 which brings the total cost of impressions to $0.08.
An article on Data Centers published in the May/June 2016 edition of Business Xpansion Journal
included a section on Elk River. City Staff and ERMU were both quoted in the article. A full page
advertisement was also included in the edition.
EDA/HRA Website:
Over the last several months, staff has worked with Golden Shovel Agency on the creation of the new
EDA/HRA website. The EDA reviewed the site during a soft launch at their May meeting. The
EDA/HRA website went live on June 22.
Staff from Economic Development, Communications and Administration attended an administrative
training course through Golden Shovel Agency. The training allows staff administrative authority to
update the site and keep the information current.
We will receive monthly analytic reports which show the number of hits/page views each of the page
receives. Staff will facilitate an analytics update to the EDA on a quarterly basis.
Sponsorships:
The EDA was a Diamond Sponsor of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM)
Summer Conference in Duluth. The conference was well attended by Economic Development
professionals from around the state. Staff received the opportunity to have a display booth where we
were able to meet and greet attendees, distribute the Community Profile, the Annual Report and various
swag.
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We will be a hole sponsor at the Elk River Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament on July 21
which attracts more than 140 golfers. The sponsorship allows the opportunity to meet every golfer as
they tee off at each hole.
We will partner with ERMU on an Energy Summit hosted by Real Estate Journal. The summit averages
300-350 attendees annually and we will have a booth to distribute promotional materials and meet
attendees and the opportunity for Tom Sagstetter to present on an energy related topic.
Financial Impact
Funding for trade shows, marketing and advertising are included in the 2016 budget.
Attachments
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