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WS — Item 3 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 3 Date: March 1, 2010 To: City Council From: Mary Divine Re: Economic Development Marketing Program Background At the February work session Mayor Reinert requested a recap of economic development marketing efforts over the past three years, along with a discussion of potential mass marketing to selected prospects. The city has never undertaken a promotional mass mailing campaign. Professionally designed promotional materials would be an additional asset for use in economic development promotions. Currently, marketing efforts include: 1. Marketing Materials: Materials are sent via mail or email as requested, and what material is used is based on the type of development inquiry. General demographics and lists of available sites and contacts are included as a part of any packet sent out to the development community or commercial /industrial prospects. The developers of existing commercial projects generally produce their own marketing materials which are available to the city for promotional use. Site selectors of specific retailers that could potentially be interested in Lino Lakes, or retailers expanding in new Midwest markets are contacted and receive information. Leads are derived from business publications, trade magazines and other sources. Public agency sources send out bulletins regarding companies looking to locate (although those bulletins have all but dried up). Sources for demographic and market information include MetroMSP, MnPro, DEED, Association of Realtors, and the State Office of Demography. 2. Staff regularly develops relationships and coordinates with developers, brokers and building owners regarding available space, land, and potential prospects. While the level of development interest has significantly decreased since 2008, staff continues to have one -on -one meetings with developers, brokers and business prospects to give them an overview of the city and opportunities for development. Staff has most recently worked with include Kraus Anderson, Ryan Companies, Stonehenge USA, Robert Muir, Pentacle Properties, and Hans Hagen. 1