6.2. EDSR 02-20-2018City of
Elk -
River
Request for Action
To
Item Number
Economic Development Authori
6.2
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
General Business
February 20, 2018
Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description
Reviewed by
Business Incubator Program
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Hear presentation on a proposed Business Incubation Program.
Background/Discussion
In January, staff attended the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) winter
conference and heard a presentation by Joya Stetson of Community & Economic Development
Associates (CEDA) regarding the business incubation program in Stewartville, MN. The program offers a
unique opportunity to encourage the creation and support of new for-profit businesses which maintain
and enhance a sustainable and diverse business climate within the city's business/ commercial districts.
The program allows new business owners an opportunity to receive rent assistance to locate new
businesses into vacant properties within the city. Rent assistance would be provided at decreasing
amounts for a total of 18 months. A new business is defined as a business that had been previously
operating out of a residence.
The program also provides business owners with education and tools to increase opportunities for long-
term success while filling currently vacant commercial properties in the community.
If initiated in Elk River, the program would require participation by the Small Business Development
Center, the MN Workforce Center, partnerships with real estate agents, brokers, and existing businesses
that wish to share their knowledge and expertise with new entrepreneurs.
Financial Impact
Funding of the program could come from EDA reserves, or could be included into the budget in 2019.
Attachments
■ Business Incubation Program Guidelines in Stewartville, MN
The Elk River Vision
A nelcoming community nvith revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional p o w E A E u e r
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity ,� g /�
Stewartville, MN
Business Incubation Program Guidelines
Goal: To encourage the creation and support of new for-profit businesses that maintain and
enhance a sustainable and diverse business climate within the City of Stewartville ’s
business/commercial districts. Further, this program seeks to provide business owners
with education and tools to increase opportunities for long -term success while filling
currently vacant commercial properties in the community.
For the purposes of this program, a new business may include a business that had been
previously operating out of a residence.
Funding & Timeline: $30,000 has been set aside for the funding of this program .
The program will run until funds are depleted or until cancellation by the EDA —
whichever occurs first.
Assistance: Business owners may receive rent assistance to locate new businesses into vacant
properties within the City. Rent assistance will be provided at decreasing amounts for
a total period of 18 months in accordance with the following schedule:
1. Months 1-6: 50% subsidy or $830/month maximum (whichever is less)
2. Months 7-12: 33% subsidy or $560/month maximum (whichever is less)
3. Months 13-18: 17% subsidy or $275/month maximum (whichever is less)
Business owners admitted to the program will also receive educational assistance in
the form of 90 minute classes on each of the core competencies outlined below:
1. Business Planning and Financial Projections (Prerequisite for this program)
2. Market Research
3. Pricing and Inventory
4. Marketing Strategies
5. Customer Service and Business Etiquette
6. Online Marketing—Websites and Social Media
7. Basic Bookkeeping
8. Legal Considerations for Small Businesses (incl. liability, insurance, taxes,
incorporation, etc.)
Business owners admitted to the program will be provided assistance with incurred
issues or questions in the following ways:
1. Quarterly meetings (with open financials) with the EDA’s Economic
Development staff and the City’s Finance Director. Additional meetings
may be scheduled as necessary and/or desired.
2. Access to Small Business Development Center consultation and resources.
3. Online forum/group for open questions and discussion wit h other program
participants and successful local businesses.
Property owners within the City will receive assistance with promotion of available
rental spaces.
Payment of rent subsidies will occur upon receipt of proof of rental payment starting
in the business’ first month of operation. Payment may only be made directly to the
business owner applicant accepted to this program by the EDA.
Property owners and businesses owners must be eligible and compliant with all city
regulations and obligations to receive monetary assistance benefits delineated above.
In order to receive assistance indicated through this program, lease/terms must be
acceptable as determined by the EDA. Additionally, property must be zoned for
business/commercial usage. Residentially zoned properties will not be considered.
Contingencies and Considerations:
To improve odds of long-term success, approved applicants are required to follow
program conditions considered to be valuable by the EDA:
1. Business will open within 90 days of approval of application by the EDA.
2. Business owner will participate in ALL educational classes (outlined in
assistance section of this document) provided through this program by the
EDA.
3. Business owner will meet with the EDA’s staff and the City’s Finance
Director on a quarterly basis at minimum. Financial information and
documentation will be released and reported during these meetings.
Additional meetings may be requested by the business owner or the EDA.
4. Business owner must agree to hours of operation that include at least five
(5) days per week. If business is retail affiliated, the business may be
required to operate until at least 8 p.m. one (1) evening/week.
5. Business owner will give a presentation after one (1) year of successful
operation at a public EDA meeting to divulge challenges and plans for
sustained success.
Application & Other Requirements:
The process for admission into this program includes the following steps:
1. Completion of the Business Planning and Financial Projections course. For
schedule and registration, please contact City Hall.
2. Submission of a completed application including the following attachments:
a. Business plan (including 3 years of financial projections excluding
requested program funding)
b. Financial statements
c. Lease agreement (including term and pricing)
d. Types and names of professional services being acquired (e.g.
accountant, legal, etc.)
3. Staff review of application and attachments. Staff may require/request
additional information or clarification.
4. EDA Finance Committee meeting with applicant to discern any concerns
relevant to the sensitive information within the application.
5. EDA review of presented application at a public meeting of the EDA.
Financial information will be kept private when possible. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to attend this meeting.
6. Applicant will be notified by letter shortly after the meeting of the Board’s
decision to approve, deny, or delay voting on the application.
7. Business will open within 90 days of approval; rental subsidies will begin
after the business has opened. The business owner may begin to take
required educational classes (if offered) after approval has been acquired
but prior to business hours of operation commencing.
Please note:
1. Maximum monetary assistance provided per business is $9,990
2. Business owner must comply with all requirements outlined, or any
subsidies received through the program must be immediately repaid to the
EDA.
3. Business owner must be willing to release financials including information
on sales, inventory, expenses, etc. upon EDA request.
4. Business must continue to operate within the City of Stewartville for three
(3) consecutive years (including 18-month program) from opening.
Businesses that willingly relocate outside of the City prior to the completion
of three (3) years will be required to immediately repay 100% of subsidies
received to the EDA. Businesses that go out of business prior to the
completion of three (3) years may be required to repay all or a portion of
received subsidies as determined appropriate by the EDA.
5. If the applicant is approved for the program, he/she implicitly agrees that
the City may promote the company’s usage of the program and include the
company’s information in relevant publicity materials/events/etc.
All applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Approval may be
affected by funding availability.
Applicants must submit one complete application to City Hall at least one (1) week
prior to that month’s EDA meeting for review (the EDA usually meets the 3rd Tuesday
of each month). A complete application will also include all required attachments.
Incomplete applications will be neither accepted nor held.
All property owners and applicants affiliated with the applications and ultimate receipt
of subsidies must ensure that taxes, utility bills, code violations, and other business
with the City of Stewartville are current, in compliance with all City regulations and
obligations and in good standing on all properties owned within the City limits in order
to apply and receive the rebate. Past history of delinquency on City matters will also
be taken into consideration before program approval is given. This consideration
applies to both applicants and property owners from whom they may rent.
This program will be carried out in accordance with the Stewartville Business
Subsidy Policy and Minnesota Business Subsidy Law.
The EDA will review these program guidelines on an annual basis to ensure
maximum effectiveness.
For More Information:
Questions regarding applications or this program should be directed to Joya Stetson at
507-533-4745 or joya.stetson@cedausa.com
The EDA reserves the right of ultimate review. The EDA may, at its discretion,
approve projects that deviate from these guidelines if the proposed project is
deemed within the general intent of these guidelines and in the best interest of
the community.
Stewartville Economic Development Authority
Stewartville, MN Business Incubation Program
Applicant Information
Date of Submission: _____________________________________________________________________________
Legal Business Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
DBA (if applicable): ______________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address (where check will be mailed): __________________________________________________
PO Box: ________________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________ ____________________________________________
Contact Name and Title: __________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________
Rental Information
Proposed Location of
Business (address): ______________________________________________________________________________
Landlord Name: _________________________________________________________________________________
Lease Term: _______ year(s) _______ month(s) Lease Price/Month: $ __________________________________
Square Footage Rented/Used: _____________________________________________________________________
Business Details
Anticipated Opening Date: ________________________________________________________________________
Anticipated hours of operation (hours/days; days of week)
Monday _________________ Tuesday _____________________
Wednesday ______________ Thursday ____________________
Friday __________________ Saturday ____________________
Sunday _________________
Professional Services Being Acquired (please list firm you’re working with if applicable):
Accounting: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Legal: __________________________________________________________________________________________
Marketing:______________________________________________________________________________________
Other: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Brief Business Description:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
How Many Jobs (including yourself) Will Your Business Be Creating Within 6 Months of Opening?: _____________
Applicant Certification
We, the undersigned certify that the information submitted is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, that
we have read, understand, and that we will comply with the program guidelines. We confirm that if approved, the
City may use the approved company’s name and information in promotional/publicity materials, events, etc. We
understand that this application will be reviewed based on the information provided herein and that the City of
Stewartville reserves the right to approve, partially approve, or deny an application at the discretion of its appropriate
Board(s).
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Name/Title (Printed) Name/Title (Printed)
_____________________________________ _____________________________________
Signature Date Signature Date
***Please note that all information in checklist must be included and provided to the City with this completed
application.
Please submit one application with supporting materials to City Hall, at least 1 week prior to the next EDA meeting for
review. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications will be reviewed on a first come-first serve basis.
Application Checklist:
_____ Complete Application
_____ Business Planning and Financial Projections Course Completion Certificate
_____ Business Plan Including 3 Years of Financial Projections that Exclude Program
Assistance Being Requested
_____ Financial Statements
_____ Lease Agreement