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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE <br />AGENDA ITEM 3B <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala <br />EDAC MEETING DATE: February 2, 2017 <br />TOPIC: Business Retention & Expansion Program Implementation <br />BACKGROUND <br />In June of 2016 EDAC, working with Kirsten Barsness of Barsness Consulting, prepared a draft <br />Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program. <br />The BRE Program aims to promote reinvestment and facilitate employment growth within the <br />community. The purpose of the program is to gather information about local business activity; <br />anticipate changes in a company's status, and work to retain the businesses that provide the <br />greatest positive economic impact. <br />Staff is proposing to begin implementation of the program in 2017 with visitation of two to three <br />businesses and development of an improvement communication process. <br />Visitation will be led by staff and possibly include a council member or EDAC representative as <br />the primary way to establish a relationship with local businesses. We will also be preparing a <br />simple handout that can link businesses to a variety of programs both local and through <br />economic development partners such as the State of Minnesota and Anoka County that provide <br />business assistance programs and land availability. <br />EDAC CONSIDERATION <br />None required. Discussion only. <br />ATTACHMENTS <br />1. BRE Implementation Plan <br />