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The first settlers were primarily merchants and farmers who <br /> were indirectly or directly dependent upon agriculture for <br /> their livelihoods . This type of economy has developed and <br /> maintained itself through the subsequent years until recent <br /> years when the area was "discovered" by a commuting-type <br /> populace. <br /> B. ECONOMIC BACKGROUND <br /> Theeconomy of Hugo can best be characterized as being <br /> agricultural in nature. Farming is the predominant business <br /> activity in the Village and it appears that agriculture will <br /> continue to be the key economic factor in the Village for <br /> years to come, particularly in the eastern two-thirds of <br /> the Village where there is less demand for residential land . <br /> An "agri -business" type of economy is strong in the old <br /> Village. Support type agricultural facilities like the <br /> grain elevator , feed mill , lumber yard , etc . , will prosper <br /> for some time . <br /> There has been some recent light industrial construction in <br /> the southwest portion of the Village and should this trend <br /> continue , it should not be difficult to achieve the employ- <br /> ment figures that . the Metropolitan Council forecasts for <br /> the Village . (See table below for employment information <br /> up to the year 2010.*) <br /> EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS <br /> 1970 1980 1990 2000 . 2010 <br /> Hugo 241 450 850 3 ,100 7 ,800 <br /> Washington <br /> County 16 ,001 29 ,200 49 ,300 90 ,300 130 ,700 <br /> Twin Cities <br /> Metro Area 853 ,138 1 ,106 ,600 1 ,330 ,800 1 ,610 ,250 1 ,903 ,500 <br /> The retail sector of the economy of the Village seems to be <br /> predominantly service-type in nature ; drive-in restaurants , <br /> cafes , bank , and gas stations . Normal retail sales seem to <br /> be transacted outside the Village , since there is a definite <br /> absence of the usual retail -type stores , such as clothing , <br /> drugs , variety , department stores , etc . White Bear Lake , <br /> Forest Lake and the shopping centers and discount stores of <br /> north suburban St. Paul seem to serve as the shopping <br /> areas for the populace of Hugo . <br /> * Figures do not include farmers , but do include hired hands . <br /> 4 <br />