7.2. EDSR 09-21-2020 City of
Elk �-- Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority= 7.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business September 21, 2020 Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist
Item Description Reviewed by
Strategic Plan Update Amanda Othoudt,ED Director
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Receive an update on the Strategic Plan.
Background/Discussion
The EDA Strategic Plan is progressing along the proposed timeline.At the May 18, 2020, meeting, Stantec
held a kick of meeting with the EDA. On June 3, 2020, Stantec facilitated a focus group discussion with the
EDA to identify strengths,weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Staff conducted a site tour with Stantec on
June 11,participated in three Stantec-facilitated focus groups on June 24 focusing on industrial/commercial
development,real estate and development, downtown business community. At their July 20, 2020, meeting
Stantec provided a recap of the findings to the EDA. In August, Stantec conducted more research and
scheduled meetings with peer cities.
In September, Stantec's Project Leader,Tom Leighton, facilitated structured interviews with the peer city
economic development staff in the following communities:
■ September 3, 2020 Bob Streetar,the Community Development Director with the City of Oakdale
■ September 9, 2020 Dan Undem,the Assistant City Administrator with the City of Forest Lake
■ September 11, 2020 Nate Kabat,the Assistant City Administrator with the City of Chaska
The last update from Stantec in August referenced that they would be updating you this evening. However, due
to time constraints,Tom is prepared to present an update for you later this month during a special meeting on
the peer city findings and facilitate a 169 Redefine discussion.
The next task in the Strategic Plan proposal is to facilitate a public meeting,which will be a time to present a
summary of Elk River's place in the regional economic landscape,its locational and economic strengths,and
weaknesses. In addition,the public meeting will address the EDA's existing resources and programmatic
activities, and a menu of potential opportunities for strengthening local economic competitiveness.
This public meeting will be facilitated as an open house at the multipurpose facility on Thursday, October 15,
2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Financial Impact
N/A
The Elk River Vision
A Y�elcoming community nvith revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional p D W E H E D D Y
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity ,g /` UR
Mission/Policy/Goal
The Strategic Plan will build upon the EDA's existing plans including the city's vision,Mississippi Connections
Plan, FAST Study, Comprehensive Plan, Parks and Recreation Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, along with any
other relevant studies that have set forth goals and objectives for economic growth and sustainability.
Attachments
■ Strategic Plan Project Update
N:\Departments\Community Development\Economic Development\EDA\Administrative\Agenda\EDA Agenda Packets\2020\09-21-2020\7.2 sr
Strategic Plan Update.docx
(3 Stantec Project Update
Project Update to EDA,September 21,2020
Elk River EDA Strategic Plan/193805023
Overview
The EDA Strategic Plan process is at a busy stage.
• We are concluding the research phase of the strategic planning process. We had planned to report
out to you on that at your September 21 EDA meeting, but with your very full agenda we're looking for
another time to present our research findings to you. (At that meeting we were also planning to
discuss the City's priorities and interests for the 169 Redefine project.)
• We are making plans for a public meeting that is being scheduled on October 15 in the new
Community Center facility. That meeting will give community members a sense of Elk River's
economic assets, and the ways that Elk River works to foster a strong economy. We'll present some
highlights from the economic development research. And we will offer attendees an opportunity to
provide input on what economic focus areas are important to them.
• Shortly after that we will have the second EDA workshop to discuss and prioritize a set of candidate
economic development strategies—setting the stage for writing a draft strategic plan.
jj0arl0Dpaditents\community development\economic development\eda\administrative\agenda\eda agenda packets\2020\09-21-2020\7.2 at1 strategic plan
project update.docx