8.1. EDSR 04-12-2010ITEM ~ 8.1.
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MEMORANDUM
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Economic Development Authority
Annie Deckert, Economic Development Assistant
12 April 2009
Business Retention & Expansion Program Update
Background
Since the formation of the EDA, Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) visits have been held
with Elk River manufacturers. In the past, staff has recorded such visits, which range in style
from conducting formal surveys to informal lunch meetings. Most recently, EDA
Commissioners joined staff in conducting informal lunch or breakfast meetings followed by
facility tours. It is appaxent that manufacturers appreciate the extra attention from EDA
Commissioners. In return, the EDA has always commented to staff its sincere interest in
attending these visits. Staff has found the informal approach to be beneficial and imperative to
building relationships with the business owners. In March of last year, the EDA decided to
continue BRE visits because they are informative and interesting for local businesses, staff and
EDA commissioners.
Update
Since March, all 43 Elk River manufacturers have been contacted to set up a BRE visit.
During the visits we discussed various topics: current business conditions, various financial
tools and resources, the Northstar Commuter train, energy rebates, Enterprise MN, YMCA
and housing/foreclosure information available for their employees. The following visits have
been completed:
Company Date of Visit Attendees
Alliance Machine 11-16-09 Matt, Annie, Debbi Rydberg
Classic Acrylics 7-15-09 Matt, Paul, Cathy, Annie
Custom Cutter Grinding 5-2009 Pat, Tom McNair
Cymbet 3-22-10 Ron, Cathy
E & O Tool 4-3-09 Mayor Klinzing, Cathy
Metal Craft 5-8-09 Matt, Cathy, Annie
New Plastics Plus 12-16-09 Paul, Annie, Debbi Rydberg
Orluck Industries 5-20-08 Mayor Klinzing, Annie, Debbi Rydberg
Solors Optional Axis 10-5-09 Mayor Klinzing, Paul, Cathy
S:\Community Development\Economic Development\BRE\Memos\4.12.10 update.doc
Superior Tool Grinding 1-13-10 Ron, Annie, Debbi Rydbexg
Staff has been working with the businesses to address concerns which arose and will continue
to work with them and provide resources and tools as necessary.
Next Steps
Staff will complete afollow-up with businesses we were not able to connect with. Staff will be
providing a survey in attempt to obtain information generally gathered during the BRE visits,
as well as provide them with an informational packet of tools and resources.
Aggregate Industries- concrete block
Alliance Machine- precision machining (metal d~ plastic)
AME Group- concrete ready mix
Blaha Machining- metal machining
CDI (Crystal Distribution, Inc.)- custom curb adaptors
Classic Acrylics- plastic fabrication
Contour Mold- mold manufacturing
Cretex-precast concrete products
Custom Conveyor Corp. -conveyor equipment
Custom Cutter Grinding- tooling
Cymbet Corporation- solid state battery manufacturer
Diamond Lake Tool- injection molding
Dynetic Systems Corp- servo motors
E & O Tool- plastics
Elk River Machine Company- products ems' large part machining
Faribault Foods (formerly Soft Pac Industries) -flexible pouch packaging
Gradient Technology- munitions demilitarisation
Great River Energy- Electric Utility
Integrate Manufacturing Corporation- battery manufacturing (wet e~° dry)
J & J Machine, Inc. -machining
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M & M Precision Machining, Inc. -machining
McChesney Cabinets- Cabinetry
Metal Craft- medical device precision manufacturing
Medical Extrusion Technologies- Custom Tubing Extrusions
MN Fabrication & Machine- conveyor parts
New Plastics Plus plastics thermoforming
RRT (formerly NRG)- refuse derived fuel
Orluck Industries- metal dam' plastic machining
Pomery Tool, Inc. -plastic molds
ProTech Engineering- plastic molds
Quality Label- label printing firm
Shiely Masonry Products- concrete block e~' brick manufacturing
Solors Optional Axis- machining, flexible pouch packaging
Sportech, Inc. - aftermarketATV dam' snowmobile products
Superior Tool Grinding- toolgrinding d~° machining
Supermats- recycled rubber mats
Tadson-glass grinding d~' polishing
Target Data Center
Tescom- pressure control devices
Timron Precision Gear- precision gears
UnitedHealthcare Data Center
Vision Mold & Engineering- mold manufacturing