02/07/2019 EDAC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM 3B STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director Monika Mann, Community Development Intern EDAC MEETING DATE: February 7, 2019 TOPIC: Business Retention & Expansion Program Implementation BACKGROUND In June of 2016 EDAC, working with Kirsten Barsness of Barsness Consulting, prepared a draft Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program. The program has been on the back burner as development activity increased and staff time was limited. The BRE Program aims to promote reinvestment and facilitate employment growth within the community. The purpose of the program is to gather information about local business activity; anticipate changes in a company's status, and work to retain the businesses that provide the greatest positive economic impact. Over the past two months Monika Mann, Community Development Intern, has updated the business inventory and is in the process of updating contact information. With the assistance of Jacquel Hajder, Anoka County Economic Development Specialist staff has prepared a draft business survey for distribution. Questions and format are generally based on content GreaterMSP (Regional Economic Development) uses in their outreach material. The survey is 4 pages long and covered a variety of categories including: Company/Contact Info, Business Details, Facilities, Products/Services, Local Employment and Workforce, Rank the Local Business and Community Climate, Market and Customer Information and Future Location Decisions and Investment Plans. EDAC CONSIDERATION Staff is requesting EDAC comments on the draft survey. ATTACHMENTS 1. Draft Business Survey.