HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-2007CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING AGENDA
MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL
Monday, March 26, 2007
6:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL: President Marty, Vice President Stigney, Commissioner
Flaherty, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Mueller
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. PUBLIC INPUT:
Citizens may speak to issues not on tonight’s agenda. Before speaking,
please give your full name and address for the minutes. Also, please limit
your comments to three minutes and sign in on the sign-in sheet located on
the podium.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. February 26, 2007, EDA Minutes.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
7. EDA BUSINESS
A. Resolution 07-EDA-231, Granting a 60 day Extension for the
Removal of Billboards on the Medtronic Property.
B. Review Draft of the Mounds View Business Resource Guide (or
Economic Development Toolbox).
8. REPORTS
9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, April 9, 2007 @630pm
10. ADJOURNMENT
Item No: 7B
Meeting Date: March 26, 2007
Type of Business: EDA
Administrator Review: _____
WK: Work Session; PH: Public Hearing;
CA: Consent Agenda; CB: Council Business
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Mounds View Economic Development Authority
From: Aaron Backman
Item Title/Subject: Discussion of the Draft of the Mounds View
Business Resource Guide
Background:
On January 23, 2007 Councilmember Mueller asked if the City of Mounds View
had or could have a “Project Kit” or “Toolbox” available for businesses and for
future developments in the City. City Administrator Ulrich requested that
Backman prepare this document. A draft was prepared and presented to the
Mounds View Economic Development Commission (EDC) at its February 16th
meeting. The EDC members had several suggestions regarding its availability,
types of resources and services presented, potential project examples, etc. A
number of those suggestions were incorporated into the version attached for the
EDA’s review. Several members also suggested that the document be entitled
“Mounds View Business Resource Guide.”
The Economic Development Toolbox (or Business Resource Guide) was first
presented to the Mounds View EDA at its March 12, 2007 meeting. Due to time
constraints, commissioners asked that further discussion of the resource guide
be held at the March 26th EDA meeting. To keep the document manageable,
brief descriptions of each program are shown.
Recommendation:
Staff seeks input from the EDA regarding the draft of the Mounds View Business
Resource Guide of economic development tools available for businesses.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Aaron Backman
Economic Development Coordinator
\\Trout\CommDev\Economic Development\EDA\Staff Reports\Staff Report EDA 07\Staff Report 3-26-07 EDA Item #7B Draft of M.V. Business Resource Guide.doc
Minutes Reviewed and Corrected by City Administrator Kurt Ulrich and Community Development Director Jim
Ericson
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MOUNDS VIEW EDA 1
CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW 2
RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA 3
4
Regular Meeting 5
February 26, 2007 6
Mounds View City Hall 7
2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, MN 55112 8
6:30 P.M. 9
10
11
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER 12
13
2. ROLL CALL: President Marty (present when meeting reconvened), Vice President 14
Stigney, Commissioner Hull, Commissioner Flaherty, and Commissioner Mueller. 15
16
NOT PRESENT: None. 17
18
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 19
20
21
4. PUBLIC INPUT 22
23
None. 24
25
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 26
27
A. January 8, 2007 EDA Minutes 28
29
MOTION/SECOND: Mueller/Hull. To Approve as Amended after President Marty’s 30
Corrections. 31
32
Ayes – 4 Nays -0 Motion carried. 33
34
6. CONSENT AGENDA 35
36
None. 37
38
7. EDA BUSINESS 39
40
A. Economic Development Priorities for 2007 41
42
Economic Development Coordinator Backman explained that each year the EDC considers 43
Mounds View EDA February 26, 2007
Regular Meeting Page 2
economic development priorities for the new year. He then provided a review of the EDC list for 44
the Commission. 1) Premium Stop Redevelopment Area; 2) Silver View Plaza 45
Promotion/Renewal; 3) Development/Redevelopment along County Hwy 10 Corridor including 46
trails and other amenities; 4) Skyline Motel Property Redevelopment for manufacturing or 47
commercial use; 5) PAK Building Redevelopment; 6) Saturn Redevelopment/Multi Tech Vacant 48
Parcel Development; 7) Knollwood Place (moving ahead with townhouse project by Integra 49
Homes); 8) Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators Expansion; 9) Laport Meadows Housing 50
Development; 10) Exploration of potential Sherwood/Greenwood Housing Development; 11) 51
Consider need for greater promotion of customer attendance at Carmike/Wynnsong 15 Theater; 52
12) Johnson Property Development. 53
54
Commissioner Mueller indicated she is not familiar with the Laport Meadows housing project 55
and asked where it is. 56
57
Economic Development Coordinator Backman explained it is south of Ardan Park, east of Long 58
Lake Road and west of Edgewood Drive and north of Sherwood. He then explained that a 59
wetland delineation was approved some time ago and the developer has access to that to assist in 60
determining where and how much development can occur. 61
62
Community Development Director Ericson indicated that the City’s position is that the 63
developers need to work with the existing property owners. He then said that the Comp Plan 64
designates the as low density residential. 65
66
Commissioner Hull asked if it includes Ardan Park. 67
68
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that the developer that has looked at 69
this came and suggested senior housing in more of an R2 or R3 situation and there was 70
reluctance to go down the path of selling the park or a portion thereof. 71
72
Commissioner Flaherty indicated that last time the City looked at this it was a senior housing 73
complex and one concern was the compost site because residents really enjoy that amenity. 74
75
Commissioner Mueller asked if this would require a noise wall or barrier from the highway. 76
77
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated Staff would like to see it extended 78
beyond Ardan Park to the east. 79
80
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that if there was a developer that was 81
interested in putting in owner occupied homes then one expectation would be to require a 82
financial contribution toward a soundwall. 83
84
Commissioner Flaherty agreed with the priorities particularly the top three. He then asked if 85
Mounds View EDA February 26, 2007
Regular Meeting Page 3
Kraus Anderson seems willing to move forward with redevelopment. 86
87
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that when there was a meeting with the 88
EDC they discussed new users and while there is interest, the City needs to see a willingness to 89
invest in it. 90
91
Executive Director Ulrich suggested a joint meeting with the EDA and EDC to discuss City 92
priorities. . 93
94
Vice President Stigney asked to have developers come to the EDC first. 95
96
Commissioner Mueller asked what the benefit would be. 97
98
Vice President Stigney indicated the EDC is charged with handling these types of things and the 99
EDA oversees and approves their recommendations. 100
101
Commissioner Flaherty agreed that the initial contact should go to the EDC but said the EDC and 102
EDA should get together to come up with common goals. 103
104
Vice President Stigney indicated that 9 and 10 were combined at one time and asked if they 105
would be separate projects. 106
107
Vice President Stigney said he would rather see the pursuit of non-TIF developers. 108
109
Economic Development Coordinator Backman indicated that his preference is always to have the 110
private sector step up to the table. 111
112
Vice President Stigney said that he thinks that attendance at the theatre is out of the realm of the 113
City. 114
115
B. Review Draft of Mounds View Business Toolbox 116
117
The EDA recessed at 6:55 p.m. and will continue this meeting after the Council Meeting should 118
time allow. 119
120
The EDA reconvened at 6:57pm and continued this item to March 12, 2007 to allow President 121
Marty to be present. 122
123
8. REPORTS 124
125
A. Update on Noise Wall Extension Legislation 126
127
Mounds View EDA February 26, 2007
Regular Meeting Page 4
9. NEXT EDA MEETING: Monday, March 12, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. 128
129
10. ADJOURNMENT 130
131
Vice President Stigney adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m. 132
133
Respectfully submitted, 134
135
136
Recorded and transcribed by: 137
Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Secretary 138
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 139
140
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Item No.07A
Type of Business: EDA
Meeting Date: March 26, 2007
City Administrator Review: ______
City of Mounds View Staff Report
To: Honorable Economic Development Authority
From: Kurt Ulrich, City Clerk-Administrator
Jim Ericson, Community Development Director
Scott J. Riggs, City Attorney
Item Title/Subject: EDA Resolution 07-EDA-231 Consideration of Request
to Consent to a Sixty (60) Day Extension for Removal of
Two (2) Billboards as Required by the Acquisition and
Relocation Agreement Between the City of Mounds
View, the Mounds View Economic Development
Authority, and Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc., fka Eller
Media Company and the Amended and Restated
Purchase Agreement and Contract for Private
Development between the Mounds View EDA, the City of
Mounds View and Medtronic, Inc.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
The City of Mounds View and the Mounds View Economic Development Authority have
received requests from Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. (“Clear Channel”) and Medtronic,
Inc. (“Medtronic”) requesting that the City and EDA grant a sixty (60) day extension to
the required removal of two billboards by the date of March 31, 2007, as required by the
Acquisition and Relocation Agreement (“Agreement”) entered into between the City,
EDA and Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. The written request of Medtronic and Clear
Channel are attached for your reference. In addition to the requirements of the
Acquisition and Relocation Agreement, similar requirements for removal and relocation
of billboards exist in the Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement and Contract for
Private Development between the City, EDA and Medtronic.
Clear Channel and Medtronic are making this request for a sixty (60) day extension for
the removal of two billboards as required by the Agreement and the Contract to allow
Clear Channel and Medtronic to finalize negotiations for a “global settlement”
concerning all billboard issues associated with the Agreement and the Contract.
Section 2.02 of the Agreement requires that Clear Channel remove Signs 2 and 3 no
later than the date of March 31, 2007. The City and EDA staff have been informed that
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Medtronic and Clear Channel are negotiating and discussing a “global settlement” which
includes swapping Sign No. 6 for Sign No. 2 (require the removal of Sign 6 instead of
Sign 2) as well as any issues related to the relocation of other billboards covered in the
Agreement, and/or any necessary buyout alternatives. It is the intent of Clear Channel
and Medtronic to come to final agreement regarding all billboard issues associated with
the Agreement and the Contract within the requested sixty (60) day extension time
period.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff has drafted a resolution which acknowledges the City’s and EDA’s consent to a
sixty (60) day extension for the removal of the two (2) billboards as set forth in the
Acquisition and Relocation Agreement and the Amended and Restated Purchase
Agreement and Contract for Private Development.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY:
Kurt Ulrich, City Clerk-Administrator
Jim Ericson, Community Development Director
Scott J. Riggs, City Attorney
Enclosures:
1. Medtronic, Inc. Correspondence dated March 14, 2007
2. Bernick & Lifson Correspondence (Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc.)
dated March 16, 2007.
3. Acquisition and Relocation Agreement dated August 31, 2005.
4. Resolution.
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Copy of Medtronic Request for an Extension
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Copy of Clear Channel’s Request for an Extension
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CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW
MOUNDS VIEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
COUNTY OF RAMSEY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 07-EDA-231
JOINT CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW AND MOUNDS VIEW
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RESOLUTION
CONSENTING TO A SIXTY DAY EXTENSION FOR THE TIME
PERIOD TO REMOVE TWO BILLBOARDS
WHEREAS, the City of Mounds View (“the City”), the Mounds View Economic
Development Authority (“EDA”), Clear Channel Outdoor, Inc. (“Clear Channel”) and Medtronic,
Inc. (“Medtronic”) have entered into agreements entitled the Acquisition and Relocation Agreement
(“the Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Contract for Private Redevelopment (“the
Contract”) concerning the removal and possible relocation of four (4) billboards that are or were
located on property previously owned by the City and now owned by Medtronic (the “Property”);
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and the Contract, two billboards were required to be
removed and potentially relocated by March 31, 2006, which has already occurred; and two
additional billboards are scheduled to be removed no later than March 31, 2007, and thereafter
potentially relocated; and
WHEREAS, Medtronic and Clear Channel have requested that the City and EDA consent to
a sixty (60) day extension for the removal of the two (2) billboards required to be removed from the
Property by March 31, 2007, because Medtronic and Clear Channel are presently negotiating a final
resolution as to all billboard issues set forth in the Agreement and the Contract; and
WHEREAS, within the requested sixty (60) day time period, Medtronic and Clear Channel
intend to provide the City and EDA with a “global settlement agreement” which hopes to bring a
final resolution to all billboard issues related to the Agreement and the Contract; and
WHEREAS, the City and EDA desire to finalize all billboard issues related to the
Agreement and Contract; and
WHEREAS, the City and EDA desire to consent to a sixty (60) day extension for the
removal of the two (2) billboards from the Property set for March 31, 2007, as referenced in the
Agreement and the Contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council ("Council") of the City of
Mounds View and the Board of Commissioners of the Mounds View Economic Development
Authority (“Commission”), as follows:
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1. The Council and the Commission hereby approve and consent to extending
the date for removal of the two billboards required to be removed from the
Property by March 31, 2007, for a period of sixty days, until May 30, 2007.
2. No other terms or conditions of the Agreement or Contract are intended to be
waived or modified by the City or the EDA, except as expressly set forth
herein.
3. The Mayor, City Clerk-Administrator, President, Secretary and City and
Authority staff are authorized and directed to take any and all actions
necessary or convenient and are authorized to execute any required
amendments to the Agreement or the Contract necessary to implement this
Resolution.
4. The recitals set forth in the preamble to this Resolution and the Exhibits
attached to this Resolution are incorporated into this Resolution as if fully set
forth herein.
Approved by the City Council of the City of Mounds View this 26th day of March, 2007.
___________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________________
City Clerk-Administrator
Approved by the Board of Commissioners of the Mounds View Economic Development
Authority this 26th day of March, 2007.
___________________________________
President
ATTEST:
________________________________________
Secretary
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EXHIBIT A TO RESOLUTION
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B-1
EXHIBIT B TO RESOLUTION
Mounds View Business Resource
Guide
City of Mounds View
Department of Community Development
763-717-4020
www.ci.mounds-view.mn.us
March 22, 2007
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Mounds View Business Resource Guide
The City of Mounds View wants to work in partnership with Mounds View businesses.
There are various resources and services to help businesses get started and grow.
Mounds View’s Business Resource Guide can help your business access resources for
new development and expansion, find skilled employees, train your employees and more.
For more information about these programs and services, you may contact Aaron
Backman at 763-717-4029.
The City of Mounds View welcomes the opportunity to attract high-quality businesses to
the community. Since the 1980’s the City has provided financial and technical assistance
to large and small companies to locate or expand in Mounds View.
Some of the projects since 2000 have included warehouse and parking expansions
valued at over $4.2 million of SYSCO Minnesota; a $10 million expansion of The
Mermaid (adding a hotel and conference area, etc.), and a $1.5 million facility expansion
for manufacturer C.G. Hill & Sons; the relocation to the City of Mounds View of Colonial
Craft (adding over 200 jobs), Blooming Prairie Natural Foods (now Albert’s Organics),
Minnesota Institute of Public Health (MIPH), and Let’s Get Graphic; the construction of
the Highway 10 Business Center, Edgewood and Long Lake Commerce Centers,
Caribou Coffee, Snyders Drug Store, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreen’s; and the current
renovation of Mounds View Square. A recent sizeable project is the ongoing construction
of the new $96+ million corporate campus for Medtronic that in the first phase will employ
approximately 4,000 persons and encompass 1.2 million square feet of office and
laboratory space. The campus is projected to open in the fall of 2007.
If you do business in Mounds View or if you would like to in the future, the City’s Business
Resource Guide has a range of resources and services that you can tap into. We offer or
can connect you with the following business assistance:
A. Site Location Assistance
B. Development Review Services
C. Business Finance Loans & Grants
D. Workforce Development Programs
E. Business Development Programs
Economic Development staff will work to access both internal and external resources to
meet your company’s expansion and relocation needs. For the appropriate staff person,
you may contact the Mounds View‘s Community Development Department at 763-717-
4020.
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A. Site Location Assistance
The City of Mounds View maintains information on development opportunities within the
community. These include vacant parcels, available building spaces, and redevelopment
properties. For more information, feel free to contact Jim Ericson at 763-717-4021 /
jim.ericson@ci.mounds-view.mn.us; or Aaron Backman at 763-717-4029 /
aaron.backman@ci.mounds-view.mn.us.
B. Development Review Services
Businesses considering Mounds View as an expansion or relocation are encouraged to
contact staff at the Mounds View City Hall for various services, including construction and
building services, licenses, and zoning reviews. The Community Development staff
evaluates developer proposals and reviews project plans that are presented by
businesses and/or architectural/engineering firms. As such, staff does consider
setbacks, permits, and rezoning that may facilitate projects.
C. Business Finance Loans & Grants
The City of Mounds View has several financial assistance programs for businesses, both
for existing businesses desiring to expand and for businesses new to the City.
1) Business Improvement Partnership Program
The City’s Economic Development Authority has a vested interest in helping
Mounds View businesses thrive and prosper while improving the aesthetics of the
commercial, industrial, and retail sectors of the community. Accordingly, the
Mounds View Business Improvement Partnership Program has been established
to partner with local businesses by providing 2% interest loans for exterior and
interior building improvements.
Who can apply:
Any business owner with a facility or property located in Mounds View.
How does the program work:
The City’s Economic Development Authority, in partnership with local banks, will
provide improvement loans to existing Mounds View businesses at a minimum of
$10,000 and a maximum of $50,000. The City participates by providing half of the
loan amount at a 2% interest rate. Contact Aaron Backman at 763-717-4029 for
additional information regarding eligible improvements program criteria.
2) Tax Rebate Financing (TRF)
In 2000 the City of Mounds View adopted policies pertaining to Tax Rebate
Financing (also known as Tax Abatement). An abatement is a property tax
repayment rather than an exemption from paying property taxes. It is a method to
finance up-front costs and provide additional equity to a development or to finance
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a public improvement. For eligible redevelopment and development projects, all or
a portion of City real estate taxes can be rebated for up to 15 or 20 years.
Ramsey County and the Mounds View School District can also rebate all or a
portion of their share of real estate taxes.
Who can apply:
Any developer or business owner with a facility or property located in Mounds
View, or any developer or business owner intending to construct a facility in
Mounds View.
How does the program work:
The developer or business owner completes a Tax Rebate Financing (TRF)
application and submits the application and the required $1,000 application fee to
the City’s Community Development Department. Economic Development staff
reviews and analyzes the information and presents it to the City’s Economic
Development Authority. The maximum applicants may abate is $200,000 per year
or up to 10% of the City’s levy. There is no minimum abatement or rebate.
Contact Aaron Backman at 763-717-4029 for additional information regarding
program criteria and process.
3) Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
TIF is considered the premier tool for economic development in Minnesota.
Since 1986 the biggest single development program in the City of Mounds View’s
Toolbox has been the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF, in brief, is the
ability to capture and use all increased local property tax revenues from new
development within a defined geographic area. TIF payments to developers can
be used for eligible uses, such as land acquisition, demolition, utilities, parking,
relocation, administration, etc. There are different types of TIF districts, including
redevelopment, economic development, housing, and soils condition districts.
Mounds View currently has four tax increment financing districts—three
redevelopment districts and one economic development district.
Who can apply:
Any developer or business owner with a facility or property located in Mounds
View, or any developer or business owner intending to construct a facility in
Mounds View.
How does the program work:
The developer or business owner completes a Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
application and submits the application and the required $5,000 application fee to
the City’s Community Development Department. Economic Development staff
reviews and analyzes the information and presents it to the City’s Economic
Development Authority. The EDA gives preference to the use of “pay as you go”
assistance to finance development or redevelopment projects. Contact Aaron
Backman at 763-717-4029 for additional information regarding program criteria
and process.
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4) Bonds used for Development
By state law cities can issue bonds. These debt instruments can be taxable or
tax-exempt. Not all bonds are general obligation. Pure revenue bonds are also
common, especially for development. Bonds can be used to pay project costs and
for the first two or three years of interest payments. This reduces the need for
short-term revenue. There are several types of bonds the City could consider in
its toolbox:
a) Revenue Bonds. Various bonds used to finance industrial, commercial
and medical facilities, multifamily rental housing, nursing homes and
some nonprofit activities.
b) Industrial Revenue Bonds. Allows cities to issue tax-exempt bonds to
finance fixed assets. In the typical transaction, the city issues the bonds
and becomes the legal owner of the asset (e.g. building). The City then
leases back or sells the asset to the company. The firm’s repayment
coincides with bond payback.
c) Essential Function Bonds. Certain types of economic development are
considered by the state to be “essential functions” of a city. Sometimes
called “housing revenue bonds”, these bonds are not general obligation
bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the City. Revenues
generated by the project pay the bond and can be used for a variety of
housing options (market and nonmarket rate).
d) Common Bond Revenue Bonds. State and local governments may
issue tax-exempt or taxable revenue bonds on behalf of private
borrowers to provide lower interest rates on long-term financing. In
general, manufacturing, medical facility, nonprofit or nursing home
projects are eligible for tax-exempt revenue bonds and those issued for
commercial projects are taxable. Bonds issued through the Common
Bond Fund are investment-grade instruments with a rating based on the
security provided by the fund.
e) Bank Qualified Bank Direct Tax-Exempt Loans. These are cost-
effective tax-exempt financing for capital projects for small
manufacturing companies and nonprofit organizations.
5) Ramsey County Business Loan Program
The Ramsey County Business Loan Program provides gap financing that can be
used in conjunction with other private and public funds.
Who can apply:
In general, loans are restricted to commercial, industrial, or service oriented
businesses located in or moving to Ramsey County. In addition, businesses must
be registered to do business in the State of Minnesota and demonstrate a need for
public financing.
How does the program work:
Loans are typically made for the purchase of capital equipment, land and building
acquisition, and building rehabilitation or new construction. Application fees are
low, and rates and terms are more flexible than the market. Loans of up to
$250,000 are provided. To request an application, or to obtain more information,
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you can contact Denise Beigbeder at the Ramsey County Community and
Economic Development office at 651-266-8005.
6) State of Minnesota Business Financing Programs
The Department of Employment and Economic Development encourages the
creation of high quality jobs through business growth, expansion and retention.
Business Development Services help companies expand or relocate in Minnesota,
find and train employees, promote international trade, and finance business
expansions. The most likely funding program applicable to Mounds View
businesses would be the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF). It’s designed for
businesses acquiring “fixed assets” (such as equipment, buildings, and land) and
adding new employees as a result. This program provides companies below-
market financing. Virtually all types of businesses are eligible, except retail. The
maximum award is $500,000. The applicant is the city. Terms are negotiated.
7) Small Business Administration Loan Programs – SBA 504 Loan / 7a Loan
The U.S. Small Business Administration provides a wide array of programs to help
small businesses, including financial and federal contract procurement assistance,
management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities, and
veterans.
The SBA 504 Loan program provides fixed-rate, long-term financing for land,
buildings and manufacturing equipment or machinery. SBA 504 Loans feature a
10 to 20 amortization, fixed-loan payments, below market interest rates, and a low
downpayment. The deal structure is 50% bank loan (1st position), 40% SBA 504
(2nd position), and 10% equity injection. (A new business and a special-purposed
building require 20% equity injection.) The program’s minimum and maximum loan
amounts are $50,000 and $750,000 respectively.
How does the program work:
Businesses should contact the certified development company authorized by SBA
to originate and service SBA 504 loans in their geographic area. SPEDCO is a
non-profit certified development company located in New Brighton whose mission
is to help small businesses obtain financing for job creation, to fund business
expansion and to promote economic development in Minnesota. SPEDCO can
handle SBA Loan financing for businesses wishing to expand or locate in Mounds
View. They provide long-term, fixed rate loans through the SBA 504 Loan
program and also provide 7(a) loan packaging consulting services to banks and
their customers. For more information call 651-631-4900.
D. Workforce Development Programs
Minnesota WorkForce Centers (WFCs) provide the tools, resources and services needed
for job search, career planning and training needs. WorkForce Centers are a
collaboration of partners. People seeking work, businesses seeking employees,
students, and those looking for a first job or returning to the workforce, will find services
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to meet their needs, most offered at no cost. Each WFC house houses a Resource Area
that operates similar to a library.
The Ramsey County WorkForce Center that services businesses in the City of Mounds
View is located in North St. Paul. The Center provides a variety of services to employers
to meet their employee recruitment and retention needs. Some services provided include
training seminars, training grants, job fairs, and wage subsidies to name a few.
Businesses may contact Cheryl Beaumier, Business Services at the Minnesota
Department of Employment & Economic Development at 651-779-5645. Businesses can
also visit the Department’s website at www.deed.state.mn.us. Some of the workforce
programs available to employers include:
1) Minnesota’s Job Bank
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is
responsible for administering various state and federal programs that provide
workforce development services. Minnesota’s Job Bank is an Internet-based self-
service system where member employers and job seekers can find each other.
Employer members can post job openings to be searched by job seekers.
Employer members can also search for job candidates and contact them by email.
Job seeker members can post a resume to be searched by employers. Members
can also search for job openings, contact employers by e-mail, and apply online.
2) Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) & Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit (WtW)
WOTC allows employers to take a federal income tax credit when they hire
persons from certain targeted groups. For most groups, the maximum credit is
40% of the first $6,000 in qualified wages for a savings of $2,400. The WtW Tax
Credit is a two-year program involving the hiring of long-term family assistance
recipients that provides tax savings up to $8,500 for each eligible new hire.
3) Customized Training Programs.
The Metro Consortium for Customized Training is an association of the
Customized Training divisions of the 10 metropolitan area community and
technical colleges and Metropolitan State University. It facilitates customized
training for Minnesota employers using the expertise and resources of the 10
institutions. For example, Anoka-Ramsey Community College has collaborated
with the Consortium and customized training programs for various occupations
pertaining to the medical device industry.
4) Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program
The VR Program helps Minnesotans with significant disabilities get ready for, find
and keep their chosen jobs and careers.
E. Business Development Programs
The City of Mounds View collaborates with several other entities that provide services to
our local businesses. These include the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce
(located in Mounds View), the DEED Small Business Development Center (in
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Minneapolis), and the Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board (also referred to as
Workforce Solutions, located in North St. Paul).
In addition to several annual events, the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce hosts
these monthly business education and networking events:
1) Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce – www.twincitiesnorth.org
A. Breakfast Club
This activity occurs twice monthly and is held at the Mounds View
Community Center. The Chamber hosts a formal morning breakfast
networking event attended by area member businesses. The event attracts
traditionally 30 participants interested in marketing their organization and
exchanging best practice ideas. The group meets the second and forth
Thursday at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $5 per person.
B. Business Smartz
The Chamber provides a practical business education forum in its
guaranteed Business Smartz Seminar series. The Business Smartz
program takes place the first Tuesday of the month, traditionally in the
morning. This hour and a half long seminar is focused on educational
topics that are practical and beneficial to business owners and key
management in small to mid-sized organizations. Topics vary. The cost
per event is $15.
C. Evening Exchange
Evening Exchange is a monthly afternoon networking event-taking place at
an area business. Evening Exchange is designed to create a relaxed
networking environment where business professionals from all company
sizes can discuss partnership opportunities and exchange ideas. The event
generally occurs the second Wednesday of the month. Location varies. No
cost except for beverages.
D. Monthly Educational Luncheon
The TCN Chamber hosts a monthly networking and educational luncheon.
The event includes an average of 50 participants and is intended to connect
with both new area businesses as well as those with deep roots in the
community. A featured presenter discusses issues pertinent to members in
the northern Twin Cities suburbs. Location varies. Cost is $16 per person.
E. north yp network
As an offering geared toward early stage business professionals, the north
yp network serves as the Chamber’s young professionals networking and
education group (ages from 21 to 35+/-). The north yp network holds
events twice a month: one social/networking; one educational. The group
self directs its agenda and is run by an active committee. Location and cost
varies.
2) DEED Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – www.mnsbdc.com
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The state’s SBDC offers individual advice and guidance concerning the formation,
management, financing and operation of businesses. Counseling is provided at
no charge to qualified businesses, although there may be a fee for certain out-of-
pocket costs incurred by the SBDC. To qualify for counseling, the business must
be “small” as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Individuals who
are considering starting a business are also eligible for counseling.
How does the program work:
The client must sign a “Request for Counseling” form and must agree to
participate in surveys designed to measure the effectiveness of the SBDC
program. To maximize the value of the counseling, clients should prepare a draft
business plan before meeting with the counselor. SBDC counselors have
significant experience in the private sector, and many have extensive
management and financial consulting backgrounds. To learn more about the
services, Mounds View businesses can contact the local SBDC office located in at
the University of St. Thomas (Minneapolis campus). You can contact Michael
Ryan at 651-962-4500.
3) DEED Business Services
DEED Business Services staff serve the business community in Ramsey County,
and around the state, with business development and workforce-related services.
Services including helping startup and expanding businesses, and coordinating
specialized business development products and services to employers and
individuals that meet the needs of the area labor market. DEED staff can consult
with Mounds View businesses regarding business-specific employee recruiting,
employee retention support, workforce restructuring, etc. Local businesses can
contact Cheryl Beaumier, Business Services at 651-779-5645.