5.4. SR 05-10-20101i
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor & City Council
Economic Development Authority
Item # 5.4.
FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic Development
DATE: May 10, 2010
SUBJECT: Great River Energy Business Retention Visit Update
As part of the EDA's Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) strategy, staff and two EDA
Commissioners recently visited Great River Energy. The BRE visit was also in response to
the company's invitation for a tour of the Maple Grove facility following the City's
discussion of its Economic Development Strategic Plan. You may recall that a portion of
the strategic planning discussion focused on a desire for a better understanding of the site
selection process and the opportunities to learn from GRE's decision to expand its
corporate campus to Maple Grove in 2005 and how Elk River may better position itself in
the future to attract this type of development.
Participants of the visit last week included:
• City Administrator Lori Johnson
• Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich
• Planning Manager Jeremy Barnhart
• Councilmember Matt Westgaard
• EDA President Ron Touchette
• GRE Director of Business Operations Mike Finley
• GRE Manager of Facility Services Mark Lucas
In addition to comments at the meeting from Councilmember Westgaard and EDA
President Touchette, below is a summary of strategies the City may consider to position
itself for this type of development in the future:
• Maintain an ongoing working relationship and communication with company
officials to be aware of future plans, trends affecting industry, etc.
GRE Business Retention Visit Update
May 10, 2010
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• Complete and implement land use plans to ensure the development community of
the city's shared vision for the area rather than promises to build it if they come.
Actions speak louder than words -what is the city "doing" vs "planning-on-doing"
• In the site selection process, developers are seeking sites/cities that provide the
"path of least resistance" and the most encouragement and assistance. Any land
assembly, public infrastructure, or site preparation work that can be completed prior
to business recruitment allows the developer the opportunity to "fast-track" the
development process and control development costs.
• Invest in training building/planning department staff ahead of time on principles of
LEED design and have a process in place wherein new or unconventional
methods/means/processes/technologies can get considered and approved for a
seamless site plan review (e.g. prairie grass, wind turbine, proof of parking).
• Identify, enhance, and build on community's amenities (e.g. established retail areas,
trails/parks, mass transit).
• Identify, enhance, and build on community's image and built-environment (e.g. areas
of blight/substandard building conditions, code enforcement, compatible land uses
within visible distance).
• Cities need to think like businesses when it comes to development/redevelopment
(i.e. present sites from a business viewpoint and value of investment).
• The ability of a community to tell the story from a distance is crucial. Identify,
enhance and build on the Elk River brand -promote what makes us special and
unique. The qualities and benefits of locating in Elk River must be identified and
showcased.