2009.03.16 EDA Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF MARCH 16, 2009 EDA President Fran Miron called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. PRESENT: Jan Arcand, Tom Denaway, Phil Klein, and Fran Miron ABSENT: Jim Bever, Mike Granger, and Brian Thistle CITY STAFF PRESENT: City Administrator Mike Ericson, Community Development Director Bryan Bear, and Associate Planner Rachel Simone APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2009 Klein made motion, Arcand seconded, to approve the minutes for the EDA meeting of February 23, 2009. All ayes. Motion carried. DISCUSSION ON BR&E U OF M EXTENSIONS PROGRAM Over the last year the EDA has discussed business retention and expansion program options for the City. In January of 2008 staff met with Liz Templin, from U of M extension services, on the Business Retention and Expansion Research Program they offer to communities. Staff presented the findings to the EDA at their January 2008 regular meeting. The EDA stated at that time that it is a great program to think about doing but the funding for the project was not budgeted nor was the staff time that would be required available. Over the last few months staff has been contacted by Connexus Energy and they have a grant program that gives $5,000 to communities that partner with the U of M on a BR&E program. Also staff just received notice that the City of Hugo was awarded a grant for an intern to work on administration and economic development projects. With these new items available, staff invited Liz Templin to give a presentation on the Business Retention and Expansion Research Program they offer to communities. Staff discussed advertising for an intern that would work on BR&E efforts and to initiate the U of M on a BR&E program. Liz Templin gave a presentation on the BR&E Progrom to the EDA. She explained the roles of the leadership and taskforce groups that will need to be created for the program. She talked about other success stories from other cities that have completed the program. She stated the program is usually about a year long and includes surveying the businesses in the City. After the formal program there is an implementation period that can take up to three years. Klein asked about funding for the implementation of the recommendations from the U of M Extension Services. Ms. Templin stated that there are grants available depending on the outcome. Arcand stated we need to make sure that we do not miss the small businesses in the City. Ms. Templin said that was a good point to bring up and that it should be brought up during the business survey selection period.