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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/11/2015 EDAC PacketCITY*ILK aF INE MEMORANDUM DATE: June 5, 2015 Ili O $07 FROM: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director RE: June 11, 2015 EDAC Meeting Attached is the agenda and draft March meeting minutes for your review. Kirsten Barsness will be joining us to discuss a proposed work plan to launch our Business Retention and Expansion Program (BRE). An outline of the work plan is enclosed. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. S:\Advisory Boards & Commissions\EDAC\Packets\2015\06-11-15\20150611 Staff Memo.doc CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Thursday, June 11, 2015 8:00 A.M. Community Room AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. March 5, 2015 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Business Retention & Expansion Program Work Plan B. Project Updates • 49 Club Building Demo • Mattamy Homes • Legacy at Woods Edge • Other 4. ADJOURN CITY OF LINO LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: March 5, 2015 MEMBERS PRESENT: Nathan Vojtech, Thomas Colgan, Rebecca Glewwe, Tami Wier, Lou Masonick, Chad Wagner. MEMBERS ABSENT: Don Johnson, Julie Schwartz. OTHERS PRESENT: Kathleen DuChene, Michael Grochala, Celeste McDermott. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Rebecca Glewwe to approve the minutes of February 5, 2015. The motion was seconded by Tami Wier and passed unanimously. OPEN TO BUSINESS PROGRAM Mr. Grochala introduced Kathleen DuChene, a Business Advisor with the "Open to Business" program. Ms. DuChene provided an overview of the program. She explained that Open to Business is a non-profit program that was founded by the Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). It was originally launched in Hennepin County and was recently contracted by Anoka County for a year. The program specializes in providing assistance to new and existing local businesses and some of the services offered include technical assistance, formulating business plans, financial projections, applying for loans, and advising businesses of City policies. Open to Business can often provide financial assistance or partner with a local bank to supplement financing. Ms. Duchene outlined the differences between Open to Business and other similar programs such as SBA, SBDC and SCORE, namely that Open to Business is a non-profit company that employs paid professionals and can offer funding sources to clients. The committee discussed various ways that the Open to Business program could advertise including local TV commercials, advertisements in local publications, handing out informational brochures at local businesses, and being featured on the City's website. Mr. Grochala noted that Ms. Duchene will be setting up office hours in the City Hall Library on the third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am to 12:30pm. She is also available for appointments outside of those hours and can meet either at her office or elsewhere. PROJECT UPDATES Mr. Grochala provided an overview of ongoing projects including updates regarding the new fire station and upcoming housing developments. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 AM. iu I Dlu [s "'AlUy To: Mike Grochala, Community Development Director From: Kirstin Barsness, Development Consultant Date: June 5, 2015 RE: Business Retention and Expansion Program I have outlined a proposed scope of work for establishing a Business Retention and Expansion Program in the City of Lino Lakes. The process has been segmented into Steps, allowing the community to complete each step independently over an extended period. STEP 1 A. Establish a Business Retention and Expansion Framework • Identify key factors for establishing a BRE program • Delineate desired outcomes for the BRE Program • Determine fundamental data points to be gathered B. Develop a Comprehensive Business Inventory C. Generate BRE Companies List STEP 2 A. Determine structure of BRE Program • Research methods of delivering the BRE program to the business community. • Evaluate effectiveness of current business communication tools and modify if necessary. B. Define the roles of the Economic Development Advisory Commission and City Council within the BRE Program C. Establish a budget for the BRE Program implementation including funding sources. D. Draft a Business Retention policy for adoption by the City Council. STEP 3 A. Prepare a business retention work plan for the next three years. • Develop support documents including survey tools, databases, and follow up reports I will be at the June EDAC meeting to discuss the BRE process, gather addition input and answer any questions. After the meeting, I will expand the Scope of Work as directed and include additional information for each Step. Thank you.