EDA Packet 51117 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Over 100,000 working residents commute outside of the county to work every day (76.9%). A focus should be to work with the private sector and communities within Washington County to increase the opportunities for people to both live and work in the county. Several communities have identified that broadband networks are not available. This is equally important as other typical utilities for growing businesses. Actions: Marketing and Promotion: Action Step: Market and promote Washington County, enhancing the efforts currently being implemented by our public and private partners. Deliverables: With the aid of our city and township partners, the Washington County CDA will create a business brand for Washington County emphasizes the county's many assets. The business brand must be crafted to appeal to businesses that are looking for locational or expansion opportunities. This will be completed by the second quarter of 2017. Washington County CDA will continue to attend, advertise, co-sponsor and market at various promotional events including, Minnesota Commercial Real Estate Association (MNCAR) Expo, MN Real Estate Journal Land Development Conference and MN Real Estate Journal Industrial Development Summit. This will be ongoing. Washington County CDA will build partnerships with and become members of local area chambers of commerce including: Forest Lake Area Chamber, White Bear Lake Area Chamber, Stillwater Area Chamber, Oakdale Area Chamber, Woodbury Area Chamber, Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce. Washington County CDA will work with our local chambers to identify business creation and expansion opportunities and promote tourism. This will begin in the first quarter of 2017 and be ongoing. Washington County CDA will build partnerships with talent attraction, retention and training organizations, local area commercial realtors, developers and site selectors through partnerships with Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Xcel Energy, MNCAR, Xceligent and Greater MSP. The CDA will receive and distribute new business inquiries to our local community partners and pass new listings on to the community where the listing is located. The CDA will work with communities when requested to respond to business inquiries. This will begin in the first quarter of 2017 and be ongoing. Action Step: Promote the quality of life and assets of the county, including the rich diversity of communities with unique micro -markets. Deliverables: Each city/township will be asked by the Washington County CDA to tell us what types of specific business developments are a "good fit" for their community (understanding this is subject to change). The Washington County Economic Development Plan should not be "one size fits all". Each city and township will be asked to prepare a listing of their preferred business types. This information will be used in 5