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Item No. 6A <br /> Meeting Date: July 18, 2008 <br /> Type of Business: EDC <br /> City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> To: Economic Development Commission <br /> From: Heidi Steinmetz, Economic Development Specialist <br /> Item Title/Subject: Discuss Future Business Retention Efforts <br /> Background <br /> At the May 16, 2008 EDC meeting, the EDC discussed the importance of <br /> business retention. The following ideas for completing business retention <br /> activities were mentioned at the meeting: <br /> • Cooperate with the Chamber and send out "thank yous" to businesses <br /> • Send out informational packets to businesses when the City "brands" itself <br /> • Ask businesses if the City is meeting their needs <br /> • EDC members could visit with businesses <br /> Update <br /> Staff recently developed a "Business Database Development Team" comprised <br /> of key City staff that deal with Mounds View business data. Currently, several <br /> separate business databases exist within City Hall. The intent of a new business <br /> database is to build one master business database that contains information that <br /> all City departments can use. <br /> Building a new database will allow staff to visit with each and every Mounds View <br /> business in order to obtain the business's most recent information. <br /> The ideas listed above could be incorporated during staff's meetings with <br /> businesses. Even though the City hasn't branded itself yet, current informational <br /> packets could be delivered to the businesses. <br /> Recommendation <br /> Staff recommends that the EDC alert staff if they wish to accompany staff during <br /> business visits. For instance, if there is a certain business that an EDC member <br /> • would like to visit, please let staff know. <br />