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' THE CITIZEN WWW.READTHECITIZEN.COM SEPTEMBER
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<br /> Hu g o Launches BusinessBusiness
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<br /> ries To
<br /> Retention ProgramPain S
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<br /> HUGO - The City of Hugo will be implementing a lo-
<br /> cal economic development program beginning this month, on Sq
<br /> w according to City Planner Rachel Simone,the program's local M.D.,
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<br /> K coordinator. w dice,ard-i
<br /> The city's application for the Business Retention and Ex-
<br /> pansion Strategies Program(BR&E)was accepted August 19and b
<br /> by the University of Minnesota Extension Service,which pro surgic;
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<br /> vides technical assistance to the program. _
<br /> The main objective of the BR&E program is to assist ex Topics
<br /> i isting businesses within Hugo to become more competitive, place
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<br /> according to Bruce Schwartau,Regional Extension Educator. Bat F
<br /> i. "This time-tested model for business retention and expanCente
<br /> W om
<br /> sion will help focus diverse resources to reduce the barriers for y
<br /> business success in Hugo;'Schwartau said. PHOTO BY DEB BARNES A
<br /> Lorenz Dance &Tumbling owner Teresa Lorenz begins her work pectic
<br /> Moreover,he said,helping firms become more competi- day with some stretches—which include the splits—in her new Hugo rovid
<br /> rive increases the chances of those firms staying and expanding studio,while studio will host an pen House tonight fromece Mariah,18,does some a5pto 8 p Ienz's new Hugo P eatm
<br /> in the community;hence,the name of the program.
<br /> The majority of the local share of the program fee of orthol
<br /> $15,000 is being sponsored by a number of businesses and Lorenz Dance Studio Holds discipline, conditioning and injurie
<br /> organizations, which include: Connexus Energy, Xcel En- Open House strengthening for your body," T
<br /> ergy, Postal Credit Union, Lake Area Bank, Premier Bank, HUGO Lorenz Dance she said. Prereg
<br /> &Tumbling Studio will hold The studio be sary.
<br /> the Hugo Business Association,Reimer Photo and WSB and o ma y
<br /> an Open House at its new reached at 651-785-0327 served
<br /> Associates. However,approximately$4,200 in funding is still
<br /> needed,Simone said. studio in Hugo tonight,Sept. or at www.lorenzdancetum- F
<br /> Additional stag time—valued at $10,000—will be pro- 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. and in blingstudio.com tion,<
<br /> vided by the University of Minnesota Business Retentionand Lino Lakes tomorrow, Sept.
<br /> i 3,from 4 to 8 p.m. _
<br /> Expansion Strategies Program to cover all remaining Univer- The Hugo studio is local-
<br /> sity costs associated with the project. ed at 14643 Mercantile Drive
<br /> Schwartau,who has helped with BR&E programs in nu- N.,Suite 109;the Lino Lakes
<br /> merous communities over the past seven years, said that the studio is located at 7960 Lake If You're
<br /> focus of the program is on assisting existing businesses rather Drive,Studio D.
<br /> than attracting new ones because existing businesses account Owner Teresa Lorenz S e 11;n ®1
<br /> for about 70 percent of all new jobs. t:
<br /> has been teaching dance and
<br /> To assist existing Hugo businesses,over 40 volunteers— Gold ewe
<br /> Rosann Lorenz, recereceddedd
<br /> who will be selectively recruited and briefed about the program tumbling for 37 years—since
<br /> during the next month—will visit approximately 75 of Hugo's she was Her pe
<br /> 275 or so businesses in September,October and November to •
<br /> her in what has become a
<br /> gather information. S''Ver, Let
<br /> family passion For lifelong fit-
<br /> The volunteers will use a ten-page questionnaire prepared ness (Rosann can still do the
<br /> 3` to identify,among other items,the businesses'needs,criticisms, splits), that includes dance, Quote...
<br /> and concerns.This information,khich will be kept confiden-
<br /> tial,will be reviewed by a local task force of community leaders and gymnastics. j
<br /> 5. who will help develop a strategic direction for the program, Although Teresa co
<br /> >' solve current problems and connect businesses with available LoreAlt studio philosophy is
<br /> resources. till
<br /> "I'm excited about the opportunities that it can provide
<br /> that these activities should be
<br /> to our local businesses,"said BR&E Leadership Team member recreational,many of her stu- a
<br /> Galen Carlson,who owns North Country Auto Body,Inc. dents have gone on to com-
<br /> ? Participation in the BR&E program was recommended Pete successfully in national
<br /> Y' 1 competitions. "Participating
<br /> by the city's Economic Development Authority. The Hugo in dance and/or tumbling
<br /> City Council authorized the program last April. does provide some of the best
<br /> .f` tau for A Free Appraisal Of
<br /> SII; 1_ DL C Jewelry Or Coin Collection is
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