08/06/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Executive Summary 3 3. Lack of staff dedicated to economic development activities who have the expertise and knowledge of economic development tools 4. Organizational structure for sharing information and coordinating communications among Anoka County and its cities and townships. 5. Better image of the County and a coordinated approach to "branding." 6. Feasibility study of fiber optics and other technological infrastructure and a coordinated approach to technology development. 7. Availability of up -to -date demographic data and projections. 8. Central point of contact for businesses considering locating or expanding in Anoka County; better understanding of relationship between economic development and redevelopment subsidies and job gains and losses. 9. Ability to provide economic development services to communities that do not have an EDA. The committee determined that Anoka County involvement in economic development was desirable, citing the number of communities that do not have an organizational structure for economic development and the efficiency and effectiveness of a regional approach. Committee members also recognized the ability of a County economic development organization to serve as a central information clearinghouse for all Anoka County communities. The committee recommends that the Anoka County Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) be authorized to operate as an EDA, citing greater administrative efficiency and effectiveness to administer a single economic development organization compared to administering both a County HRA and EDA. In making this recommendation, the committee noted that none of the Anoka County general government subdivisions exercises extraterritorial planning powers beyond its boundaries. Minnesota Statutes Section 469.1082 subdivision 3 specifically requires the committee to identify the distance that a city controls beyond its boundaries, if applicable. This provision is not applicable to Anoka County. The committee also recommends that the County authorize legal research to clarify questions regarding the levy authority that can be exercised by the Anoka County HRA operating with statutory EDA powers to determine the maximum rate that can be levied and the manner in which the levy can be allocated for HRA and EDA purposes. Committee members advise that this information will be important to each community's deliberations regarding participation in the Anoka County HRA operating as an EDA. Report of the Anoka County Economic Development Exploratory Committee