2010.03.08 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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l0 Below are the projects that came out of the Task Force Retreat from the results of the Survey. Project# 1 —Market the City This project is based on several potential marking strategies that all relate to the City of Hugo and its businesses. Each item falls under an idea for a marketing plan for the City that would consist of public relations, advertising, and sales. There were several indications within the BR&E surveys that suggested that businesses wanted help promoting their business with an emphasis on advertizing. Over the next several months the project team will be working on putting together a marketing plan for the City and incorporating ways to help the businesses in Hugo. The marketing plan will also help recruit new businesses into the City. Some of the goals for the marketing plan include a City slogan, multimedia campaign, visitor guidebook, and tradeshows. The project team suggested that he City partner with the local business associations to put together portions of the marketing plan for the City. Members: Rachel Simone, Tom Weidt, Louis Melamed, Bridgett Beckman, and Michele Tesser Project#2—Create/Coordinate/Encou rage Events This project consists of supporting existing events and brainstorming additional events that have an economical impact on Hugo. Hugo has several existing community events which are well- planned and have grown in the last few years. These events have been developed and promoted by organizations such as the Lions Club, Hugo Business Association, Oneka PTA and other community groups. One of the most well known community event to support is Hugo Good Neighbor Days. The project team will work with the Lions Club to further promote and expand this event. The project team will encourage the organizers of existing community events to coordinate with businesses and take advantage of opportunities for business promotion. The project group will also brainstorm other events, as a part of a two to three year plan. A number of very exciting possibilities have already been discussed: a park bonfire, Sledding Party, Pet fest, Music in the Park, Golf tournament and Triathlon. Also, developing a charity motorcycle run to draw a large contingent of motorcycle enthusiasts to local businesses is an option. Creating and expanding trails to encourage biking, hiking, skiing and running would draw outside visitors to Hugo. Encouraging healthy family-friendly activities would benefit the life-styles enjoyed in Hugo. The residents of Hugo support community events and there is the potential for additional offerings which promote local businesses. Members: Shayla Syverson, Patti Breen, Mike Gallivan, Kate Riopel, and Duane Berg Project#3—Address Highway 61 Access Issues/Improve Downtown Hugo This project started because access to Highway 61 was identified as concern to businesses located in the downtown area of Hugo. They wanted to make sure that there was adequate access to their businesses as the highway is improved. At the implementation meeting on February 16, 2010, the group was presented with the Memorandum of Understanding for Highway 61 between the City, Washington County and the State of Minnesota on the access to the the highway. This