1974.03.18 RESO 1974-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

The first settlers were primarily merchants and farmers who were indirectly or directly dependent upon agriculture for their livelihoods. This type of economy has developed and maintained itself through the subsequent years until recent years when the area was "discovered" by a commuting -type populace. B. ECONOMIC BACKGROUND The economy of Hugo can best be characterized as being agricultural in nature. Farming is the predominant business activity in the Village and it appears that agriculture will continue to be the key economic factor in the Village for years to come, particularly in the eastern two-thirds of the Village where there is less demand for residential land. An "agri-business" type of economy is strong in the old Village. Support type agricultural facilities like the grain elevator, feed mill, lumber yard, etc., will prosper for some time. There has been some recent light industrial construction in the southwest portion of the Village and should this trend continue, it should not be difficult to achieve the employ- ment figures that the Metropolitan Council forecasts for the Village. (See table below for employment information up to the year 2010.*) The retail sector of the economy of the Village seems to be predominantly service -type in nature; drive-in restaurants, cafes, hank, and gas stations. Normal retail sales seem to be transacted outside the Village, since there is a definite absence of the usual retail -type stores, such as clothing, drugs, variety, department stores, etc. White Bear Lake, Forest Lade and the shopping centers and discount stores of north suburban St. Paul seem to serve as the shopping areas for the populace of Hugo. * Figures do not include farmers, but do include hired hands. n EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Hugo 241 450 850 3,100 7,800 Washington County 16,001 29,200 49,300 90,300 130,700 Twin Cities Metro Area 853,138 1,106,600 1,330,800 1,610,250 1,903,500 The retail sector of the economy of the Village seems to be predominantly service -type in nature; drive-in restaurants, cafes, hank, and gas stations. Normal retail sales seem to be transacted outside the Village, since there is a definite absence of the usual retail -type stores, such as clothing, drugs, variety, department stores, etc. White Bear Lake, Forest Lade and the shopping centers and discount stores of north suburban St. Paul seem to serve as the shopping areas for the populace of Hugo. * Figures do not include farmers, but do include hired hands. n