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Home My WebLink About03/05/2015 EDAC Minutes 1 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. 2 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.