EDA PACKET 08.15.23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MAY 16, 2023 President Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:35pm. PRESENT: Arcand, Klein, Puleo, Weidt ABSENT: Chrun, Denaway, Roberts STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Max Gort, Associate Planner STAFF ABSENT: Bryan Bear, City Administrator APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2023 Commissioner Klein made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Puleo, to approve the April 18, 2023 EDA meeting minutes. Ayes: All. Nay: None. Motion carried. UPDATE ON WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Chris Eng and Tyler Hilsabeck both presented to the EDA on their respective agencies’ activities throughout the past year and upcoming year. Chris Eng is the Economic Development Director with the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA), which has been working with local chambers of commerce throughout the county to have seminars on growth management, finding customers, social media marketing, and workforce development. The CDA has found that they can be an avenue for business to business communication, especially through monthly meetings with CEOs to talk about challenges and share ideas. Eng stated that the CDA would like to aid the City of Hugo with grant programs, including environmental assessments on properties with EPA grant monies. Tyler Hilsabeck from the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) Open to Business program has been working with the program in Washington County since 2017. In that time, Hilsabeck has experienced approximately 500 unique business engagements, over half of which are pre-start or within the first year of operation. Hilsabeck stated that Open to Business connects entrepreneurs with funding sources as well as being source for networking and creating business to business relationships. Several engagements have been with Hugo businesses and Hugo residents. Commissioner Klein asked if Open to Business works with developers who may be seeking tenants. Hilsabeck said that a common theme of business engagements has been fi nding quality open space. President Weidt asked which kinds of businesses have been receiving loans in Hugo. Hilsabeck responds that the majority have been retail businesses. Eng stated that a study was completed on labor stat istics post-pandemic, and that there’s data indicating that the majority of Washington County residents who used to commute out of the county are not staying home.