2007.09.17 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

City should begin preparing an annual economic report of activity within the City. A new Economic Development page on the City's website should provide helpful data such as demographic information, community characteristics, information about the City's workforce, traffic counts, and listings of available land or buildings. The information should be distributed whenever possible. Strategy: Cooperate and share information with partners such as the Hugo Business Association (HBA), the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, and the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. The City should continue to work with surrounding communities and with Washington County to encourage the creation of an east metro economic development strategy. Goal: Establish Financial Incentives to attract new business development Strategy: Evaluate all incentives available for use by the City. Implement policies for the use of incentives, including the City's Tax Increment Financing Policy. Strategy: Evaluate other costs associated with the development or operation of businesses within Hugo. Compare costs to other cities and reformulate the fee structures or other costs where possible to remain competitive. Goal: Ensure that infrastructure is provided to meet the needs of the business community. Strategy: Implement the improvements identified on the City's infrastructure plans illustrated in Chapters x, x, and x of this document. The important transportation connections and sewer and water improvements that are necessary to accommodate existing and future businesses have been taken into account and are shown in this comprehensive plan. Strategy: The BNSF rail line serving the Bald Eagle Industrial Park is an important transportation element for existing businesses located there. The rail line should be maintained as long as the businesses rely on it. Strategy: Encourage the eventual conversion of the rail line along TH 61 to a transit corridor that may accommodate both freight and passengers. Provisions for transit will provide businesses with expanded access to the area's workforce. Higher intensity mixed use development and retail development should be encouraged along the transit corridor. Cooperate with the Rush Line Corridor Task Force to implement recommended improvements along the corridor. Strategy: The transportation plan illustrates a future interchange at County Road 4 and I- 35E. The interchange is also identified on MnDOT's Inter -Regional Corridor Plan for I- 35. The timing of the construction of this interchange is critical in implementing the plans for business development in northern Hugo. The City should continue to lobby for the accelerated construction of the interchange though the I-35 W/E Coalition.