5. EDSR 10-13-2008ITEM #5.
city
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Annie Deckert, Economic Development Assistant
Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: October 13, 2008
SUBJECT: Update on Marketing Activities
The purpose of this memo is to provide a brief update of recent market initiatives of the
Economic Development Division.
Attachments
• Invite to Manufacturer's Week
• Economic Development Newsletter, Fall 2008
• Rivers Edge Halloween Event
Manufacturer's Week Events
Staff has partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to plan this year's Manufacturer's Week
Events. There will be a tour of Classic Acrylics at 10:45am, followed by a luncheon and
presentation by Jim Mecklenburg at the Holiday Inn in Otsego. Mr. Mecklenburg will be
speaking about Project Lead the Way, anon-profit organization that promotes pre-
engineering courses for middle and high school students.
Retail Trade Analysis
As directed by the EDA at its August meeting, staff is partnering with the Chamber of
Commerce and working with Ms. Claudia Cody, University of MN Extension Service to
organize the Retail Trade Analysis Workshop. The workshop is tentatively planned for the
middle of November; the EDA will be notified once the date is finalized. The draft report
was distributed to the EDA at the August meeting. Please contact staff if you need an
additional copy before the presentation.
Update on Marketing Activities
EDA Meeting October 13, 2008
Page 2 of 3
Available Commercial & Industrial Sites
Staff has updated the list for available commercial and industrial sites throughout the City.
This list is available on the city's website, MNPRO and MetroMSP. This list is updated
quarterly and as staff is made aware of other changes.
Economic Development Newsletter
Staff has completed the Fall 2008 Economic Development Newsletter. The newsletter was
distributed to our recently updated mailing list, which includes Elk River manufacturers,
restaurant contacts, inquiries, prospects, key accounts (local & metro developers/brokers)
and all contacts from our comprehensive available commercial and industrial sites list.
Restaurant Marketing
As directed by the EDA at its June meeting, staff has been updating the list of restaurants
and has been communicating with several of these contacts; all which have indicated they are
not interested in a new location, or relocating at this time. Some have indicated slight
interest in meeting in the spring of next year. Following the RTA presentation, staff will
focus on 10-15 restaurants to set up meetings and provide this information as well as specific
locations to increase their interest in the City.
Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association
Staff has been working closely with the downtown business association to coordinate this
year's Halloween event, creating and providing marketing material and helping solicit
volunteers. Staff has added links and information for the association on the city's website
and will continue to work with the association on future events. Staff is also looking into
creating a separate commercial sites inventory list for the downtown.
Sherburne County Development Roundtable
Staff has participated in follow up discussions with Sherburne County regarding additional
marketing strategies. At the August 5`" Sherburne County Commissioner's meeting, the
commission approved a county EDA board without the power of levying. The development
roundtable has not met since this decision.
Metal Craft Groundbreaking
Staff worked with Metal Craft and Heritage Development to coordinate a joint
groundbreaking ceremony for Metal Craft's new facility. Staff will be working with Metal
Craft to coordinate the future grand opening.
Website
Staff has updated and restructured the Economic Development portion of the City's
website; providing additional information and links as well as enhancing the ease of
navigating the site.
Image/Marketing
In follow up to a few of the City Council's priority issues identified in the planning
workshops, "Image" and "Marketing for Commercial & Industrial Development", staff is
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Two new hires for Elk River Community Development
JEFF GONGOLL AND ANNIE DECKERT ADD THEIR EXPERTISE TO THE CITY'S TEAM
eff Gongoll started work as the new
Elk River Community Development
Director in June.
He was formerly the presidentlCEO
of the Elk River Area Chamber of
Commerce. During his eight year tenure,
one of his major accomplishments was
to increase the Chamber's budget from
$175,000 to $280,000 through marketing
and membership recruitment.
In his role as Community Development
Director, Jeff Gongoll will be responsible
for the management, leadership, and
oversight of the planning, economic
development, building and environmental
divisions at the City of Elk River.
"The Community Development
Department plays a key role in the
orderly development of Elk River," says
Mr. Gongoll.
"I am truly appreciative of the
opportunity to be in this position and
certainly look forward to enhancing
the opportunities for our residents and
businesses. I will be a champion for our
great community."
Jeff Gongoll got his bachelor of science
degree from the University of Minnesota
and received his master's degree from
Arizona State University.
Annie Deckert hired to be the
Economic Development Assistant.
Early this spring the Elk River Economic
Development team welcomed Annie
Deckert.
A graduate of St. Cloud State University,
with a major in Community Develop-
ment, Annie recently held the position of
City Planner for the City of Big Lake. "I
am very pleased to be back in Sherburne
County, and privileged to be working
with excellent staff. I am looking for-
ward to providing assistance to our busi-
ness community and preparing for the
growth ahead," states Ms. Deckert.
In her new position, Ms. Deckert will
perform business development activities
including assisting in the implementation
of the Strategic Plan for Economic
Development and the Strategic Industrial
Marketing Plan.
Annie Deckert is also the City liaison
for the Rivers Edge Downtown Business
Association and will provide information
for all housing financial assistance
programs available to Elk River residents
as well as micro loan programs for
businesses.
Ms. Deckert will also work with all
Economic Development customers and
she will help develop effective marketing
plans to promote opportunities for
development in the City.
"We're so glad to have Annie as a
member of our team," says Cathy
Mehelich, Director of Economic
Development, City of Elk River. "She
will be a great asset to the department
and to the businesses in Elk River."
Do you have comments on our
newsletter?
Email any comments, questions or suggestions to Annie Deckert at
adeckert@ci.elk-river.tYtn. us
763.635.1040 www. ci.elk-river. mn. us Fall 2008
Jeft Gongoll, Elk River Community
Development Director ~
Annie Deckert,
Economic Development Assistant
Businesses and Sonic are booming!
THREE INDUSTRIAL FIRMS EXPAND AND SONIC OPENS NEW RESTAURANT
lk River is still seeing business
expansion and development
occurring during slower
economic times
SPORTECH, INC.
ceremony on July 29"' for their new
83,000 squaze foot manufacturing facility
The site for the new building is located
at 13760 Business Center Drive, just east
of the Sherburne Country Government
Center. The company has 94 employees.
companies have planned for acampus-
like feel on the setting and hope to attract
mutual business.
Currently the company has a staff of 127,
but they plan to hire more employees
when the facility opens in 2009.
Sportech, Inc. celebrated the
groundbreaking for its new corporate
headquarters at 10800 - 175"' Ave N.W.,
on June 3~d. A manufacturer of high-
quality innovative products for both
original equipment and aftermarket
segments of the powersports industry, the
company's new facility will be 92,000
square feet.
"We aze really looking forward to moving
our corporate headquarters to Elk River's
Northstar Business Park," say Chris
Carlson, President of Sportech. "With
this move we will not only be retaining
our 66 full-time employees, we will
also be creating 25 additional full-time
positions"
METAL CRAFT
Having outgrown its current facility,
Metal Craft held a groundbreaking
This is the company's third expansion
in Elk River. "Metal Craft has a long
successful history in Elk River and
a great potential for growth," says
Cathy Mehelich, Director of Economic
Development, City of Elk River. "We
definitely wanted to keep Metal Craft
here and we're glad they are staying:'
Metal Craft provides precision machining
services for the medical, aerospace,
computer, and food & drug industries.
E & O TOOL AND PLASTICS, INC.
Founded in Elk River more than two
decades ago, E & O Tool and Plastics is
a full service injection molding company
that manufactures custom tooling on-site.
The company will be building a new
62,000 square foot facility directly next
to the new Metal Craft facility. The two
Business sites available in Elk River
CITY POSTS COMPREHENSIVE LIST ON WEBSITE
If you're looking to start, relocate or expand your business, check out the many sites
Elk River has to offer. Updated quarterly, this list and other available properties. can
be found on the following sites:
• www.ci.elk-river.mn.us; The Economic Development Division webpage
• www.mn ro.com; Site selection tool of available commercial land in MN
• www.metromsp com; Municipal-owned sites available in the 11-county Metro
area -
• www.mncarorQ; Commercial property database
FEATURED SITES
Located north of the Northstaz Commuter rail station site, the city has two properties
available for development. Zoned for Business Pazk, these sites allow for reseazch
and development laboratories, light manufacturing and professional odices to name a
few.
PID Land Available Address
75-?57-0205 4.34 acres 17565 Tyler Street NW
75-757-0105 12..13 acres 17610 Tyler Street NW
(8.88 buildable)
If you have a property you'd like added or removed from the list, please contact
Annie Deckert at 763.635.1042 or email her at adeckert@ci.elk-rivermn.us.
"The City has been fantastic to work with
during this process," says Jay Caswell,
chief financial officer and co-owner of
E & O Tool and Plastics, Inc. "Cathy
Mehelich has assisted us with whatever
we need, including walking us through
the tax abatement process and helping
us get all those ducks in a row. The City
Council has been very welcoming as
well. Elk River wanted us to stay here
and they really let us know that."
SONIC
One of the top 10 quick service restaurant
chains opened an Elk River location
August 1. So far this is one "super"
Sonic!
Extra police patrol, contracted by the
restaurant, has been a necessity since the
grand opening in order to deal with the
traffic from hungry Elk River visitors and
residents. Main Street has been changed
to three lanes-one is southbound, one
northbound and one "Sonic bound".
Located at 229 Carson Street in Elk
River, the restaurant features cazhops on
roller skates to serve the customers in
drive-in stalls.
763.635.1040 www.ci.elk-river.mn.us Fall 2008
Sherburne's job growth makes Money
MAGAZINE ARTICLE RANKS COUNTY 22ND IN THE COUNTRY FOR JOB GROWTH
nyone who lives or works in
Elk River, the county seat of
Sherburne County, certainly
knows that the area is growing; in terms
of new housing development ,industrial
growth and job creation.
Recently, Money Magazine published
its "Best 25 Counties for Job Growth"
In it, Sherburne is ranked 22"d on the
list, which ranks counties for job growth
between 2000 and 2007. The county
saw job growth of 37.5 percent during
that period and was the only county in
Minnesota to make the list.
Money's Website, www.cnnmoney.com,
explains the reasons for Sherburne
County's high ranking: "Capturing
the runoff from nearby Minneapolis,
Sherburne Country is undergoing
residential expansion and growth in the
retail, food, hospitality and healthcare
industries"
The magazine points out that companies
both small and large are being attracted
to the area, such as Target Corp. and
UnitedHealthcare. Each company
invested more than $250 million in data
centers in Elk River.
The magazine also notes that "Sherburne
County offers a cushy place for new
companies to grow, with business
development assistance and reasonably-
priced commercial and industrial land"
According to Money Magazine, plentiful
job opportunities are a key to creating a
great place to live, especially in a tough
economy. The City of Elk River added
more than 2,000 jobs between the years
2000-2007.
Local officials rally `round the rail
CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY ON NEW NORTHSTAR COMMUTER RAIL STATION
valuable recruiting tool for Elk
River employers recently took
a step closer to reality. After
years of planning, state and local officials
held a groundbreaking ceremony in
late August at the site of the future Elk
River Northstar Commuter Rail Station,
which is now under construction just off
Highway 10/169 at 171s~Avenue. The
commuter rail will be operational in
2009.
The station will be one of several stops
on the future Northstar Commuter Rail
line that will run from Big Lake to
Minneapolis, with stops in Elk River,
Anoka and Coon Rapids-Riverdale.
The commuter rail line will whisk folks
from Elk River to downtown Minneapolis
in an estimated 32 minutes -with nary
a traffic jam or a reason to honk a horn
along the way. No wonder numerous
local residents were on hand to celebrate
the groundbreaking of the future rail
station on August 22.
As noted, however, the future Northstar
rail line is not just good news for local
commuters; it is likely to be a valuable
tool for local businesses as well.
"The Northstar Commuter Rail operation
and this station are great news for
everyone in Elk River," says Jeff Gongoll,
Community Development Director for
the City of Elk River. "It's a boost to the
local economy and a selling point to our
local companies when they're looking
to hire or recruit quality people from a
variety of places in the metro area"
OPERATIONAL 2009
The Elk River Northstar Station will have
many features, including covered and
enclosed waiting areas with on-demand
heating systems and an automated reader
that allows commuters to pay fares
instantly with a Metro Transit Go-To
card.
The Park-and-Ride lot at the Elk River
Station will have surface parking spaces
for 754 vehicles as well as bicycle
lockers. Safety will be enhanced with
platform security cameras, clearly-
marked crossings and frequent patrols
conducted by local and Metro Transit
police.
Future phases of the commuter line
could connect to St. Cloud, the Mall
of America, Minneapolis-St. Pau]
International Airport and downtown
St. Paul.
763.635.1040 www. ci.elk-river. mn.us Fall 2008
City of
~~
Elk
River
13065 Orono Pkvvp
Elk River, MN 55330
PRESORTED
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 106
ELK RIVER, MN
Power to the programs
BUSINESSES CAN REALIZE EXTRA GREEN WHEN THEY CONSERVE ON ENERGY USE
ess is definitely best when it
comes to commercial energy
use. Elk River Municipal
Utilities (ERMU) and Great River
Energy (GRE) are rewarding energy-
conserving businesses with powerful
programs that offer a variety of rebates
and loans.
ERMU commercial clients are eligible
for many types of rebates including
those for installing high efficiency
motors, HVAC units, variable
frequency drives and various lighting
options.
In 2007 businesses took advantage of
these rebates to the tune of more than
$127,000.
Commercial customers are also
eligible for walk-through assessments
which can greatly increase energy
saving potential. Billing histories are
reviewed and ERMU will suggest
other savings programs that businesses
would qualify for.
Great River Energy offers a new loan
fund for energy efficient buildings
and LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) certified
ventures. They will also make zero-
interest loans available for efficient
equipment within GRE's service
temtories.
Up to $1 million per project is offered
through a LEED certification financing
program to assist businesses with
the increased costs associated with
achieving LEED certification. Those
costs can include LEED applications
charges and the costs of engineering,
architectural work and design.
The E3 Fund (Energy Efficient
Equipment Fund) offered by GRE
is also available to companies. The
fund promotes installation of high
efficiency equipment that reduces
energy consumption. Businesses can
qualify for up to $200,000 per project.
To find out more about programs
offered by ERMU ca11763-441-2020.
For more information about GRE
loans, contact Tom Lambrecht at
763-445-6105.
_--
763.635.1040 www. ci.elk-river. mn.us Fall 2008
Twin Lakes Elementary School is an example of aLEED-certified building.
ALL DRESSED UP WITH
~.
^
No PLACE To God
~ TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN ON NAILOWEEN! ^
PARTICIPATING BvSINESSES~ WILL HAYE TREATS FOR KIDS
~vP TO 1~ YRS~ FROM 10:00AM TO 5:~0 PSI
scRESM eo~s*
IN RIVERlEDGE
COMMON! p~RK
x.:30 pM - 5:30 pM
FOR KID! 9 AND UNDER
• COLORING CONTE
. FACE PAINTING
• GAMES IN PARK
xPARTICIPATING BUShtESSES WILL HAVE 'WELC0~1E TRICK OR TBEATER~ SIGNS IN THEIR WINDCIWS