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<br /> <br /> <br /> 2 <br />attention to business retention and expansion. Actively Αmarketing≅ a handful of <br />relatively small, privately-owned parcels that will eventually be purchased and <br />developed anyway was not seen as a cost-effective or necessary endeavor. The <br />consensus was to have City staff devote about 25% of its time to attracting new <br />businesses and 75% of its time to retaining new businesses and helping them expand <br />in Mounds View. Activities in the retention/expansion category would include such <br />things as the Business Improvement Partnership loan program, the initiation and <br />maintenance of the Business E-Mail Hotline, articles about local businesses in <br />Mounds View matters and other publications, continued active participation in <br />Chamber of Commerce committees and programs, and the coordination of multi- <br />party redevelopment proposals. It was also agreed that the City should work to <br />develop informal partnerships with other organizations having direct or indirect <br />interests in economic development. For example, workforce development has <br />become one of the biggest local business issues, and it was suggested that the City <br />should try to work more closely with the school district and with Mounds View area <br />businesses to help make certain that high school and technical college students are <br />getting the kinds of training that they will needed to work for local companies. <br /> <br />It was agreed that this initial discussion of economic development issues and <br />priorities would be continued at the next EDC meeting, in connection with the <br />anticipated review of all or a portion of a preliminary draft of the economic <br />development section of the updated Comprehensive Guide Plan. <br /> <br />6. REPORTS FROM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAFF: <br /> <br />Housing Inspector Steve Dorgan distributed a Memo and updated the EDC on the <br />progress and status of the proposed Subsidized Home Improvement Loan Program. <br />Attempts are being made to identify new funding sources, inasmuch as there is some <br />question regarding the legality or propriety of using TIF funds to subsidize interest <br />rates. <br /> <br />7. ADJOURNMENT <br /> <br />There being no further business before the Commission, this meeting of the <br />Economic Development Commission adjourned at approximately 9:11 a.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully Submitted, <br /> <br /> <br />Kevin Carroll <br />Economic Development Coordinator <br />