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30 VI. Community Planning and Economic Development <br />2014 Annual Report · Administration · St. Anthony Village, Minnesota <br />VI. Community Planning and VI. Community Planning and <br />Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development <br />In 2012, the City of St. Anthony Village elected to hire a <br />professional consulting planner in an effort to be more effi cient <br />with the services provided to the residents, and to be conscious <br />of expenditures associated with planning. WSB & Associates, <br />Inc. planner Kelsey Johnson was contracted as the City Planner <br />approximately eight hours a week. In making this transition, <br />Staff was able to streamline the application process and “vet” <br />ideas out prior to reaching the Planning Commission and City <br />Council. As part of this new process, staff worked closely with <br />the City Council to facilitate a “cost reimbursement plan/fee <br />escrow” policy that was implemented in 2013. <br />The City planner is the staff liaison to the Planning Commission <br />and is responsible for conducting long-range planning for future <br />growth as well as coordinating and assisting the Planning <br />Commission in reviewing zoning and site design of current <br />development projects. <br />OPEN TO BUSINESS <br />Open to Business provides one on one business counseling to current and <br />prospective entrepreneurs. Consultants work with residents and businesses <br />to develop a strong business plan, identify challenges and opportunities, and <br />to tailor solutions. In addition to direct consulting, Open to Business program <br />staff can link entrepreneurs with additional resources to help them succeed, <br />including training programs, community or governmental services, fi nancial <br />resources and industry and business professionals. <br />In 2014, Open to Business staff worked on real estate analysis, business <br />feasibility, strategic planning, lease review, cash fl ow analysis and projections, <br />tax assistance, regulatory issues for existing graphic designer/brand developer, <br />music teacher, travel agent, pastry chef and prospective commercial cleaning <br />business and coffee shop. Open to Business worked with 10 St. Anthony <br />entrepreneurs providing over 40 hours of technical assistance.