Agenda Packets - 2026/03/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DATE: March 6, 2026 TO: Ramsey County City Administrators and Community Development Directors FROM: Josh Olson, Director, Community & Economic Development Department CC: Ling Becker, County Manager Kari Collins, Deputy County Manager, Economic Growth & Community Investment RE: Ramsey County EDA Implementation Next Steps Thank you for your ongoing support of the Ramsey County’s housing and redevelopment programming. I look forward to the continued partnership in ensuring all in Ramsey County are valued and thrive. I am reaching out to provide you with information regarding the next steps to enhancing programming for entrepreneurs and small businesses as result of last year’s approved ‘EDA Bill.’ On December 2nd, 2025, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners took an initial step to formally create the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority. This was a required first step, prior to the beginning of this year’s legislative session, but it is the first of many steps required to allow enhanced business programming to be funded through the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy. While the legislation allowed for the creation of the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (EDA), it outlined two important conditions: 1.The EDA will have no taxing authority. This was intentional as the EDA will only receive and spend funding from the existing Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy. Expansion of the HRA to include EDA powers, as described by state statute, allows the county to utilize a portion of HRA levy funding for purposes of small business support and enhanced business programming. 2.Each City is required to ‘Opt In’ to this enhanced business programming. ‘Opt-In’ Process The process for a City to Opt-in requires a city resolution by June 1, 2026. Receipt of approved resolutions from cities will create a map that shows the EDA’s Area of Operation. Ramsey County would then establish the EDA Area of Operation on or by June 15th, 2026. Enhanced business programming will begin January 1, 2027. A draft resolution for city council approval is provided below. Tentative Programming Tentative plans continue to plan for an allocation of $1.5 - $2 million yearly from the existing Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy towards business focused programming. Programming and total budget allocation have not yet been formalized as the County awaits ITEM 08E