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