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step. The City should begin preparing an annual economic report of activity <br />within the City. A new Economic Development page on the City's website should <br />provide helpful data such as demographic information, community <br />characteristics, information about the City's workforce, traffic counts, and listings <br />of available land or buildings. The information should be distributed whenever <br />possible. <br />The City should cooperate and share information with partners such as the Hugo <br />Business Association (HBA), the White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce, and <br />the state Department of Employment and Economic Development. The City <br />should continue to work with surrounding communities and with Washington <br />County to encourage the creation of an east metro economic development <br />strategy. <br />Establish Financial Incentives to Attract New „Business Development <br />The City should evaluate all incentives available for use by the City. Policies <br />should be implemented for the use of incentives, including the use of the City's <br />Tax Increment Financing Policy. <br />The City should evaluate other costs associated with the development or <br />operation of businesses within Hugo. Costs should be compared to other cities <br />and the fee structures or other costs should be reformulated where possible to <br />remain competitive. <br />Ensure that Infrastructure is Provided to Meet Business Needs <br />It is important for the City to implement the improvements identified on the City's <br />infrastructure plans illustrated in Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 11 of this document. The <br />important transportation connections and sewer and water improvements that are <br />necessary to accommodate existing and future businesses have been taken into <br />account and are shown in this comprehensive plan. <br />The BNSF rail line serving the Bald Eagle Industrial Park is an important <br />transportation element for existing businesses located there. The rail line should <br />be maintained as long as the businesses rely on it. <br />The City should encourage the eventual conversion of the rail line along TH 61 to <br />a transit corridor that may accommodate both freight and passengers. <br />Provisions for transit will provide businesses with expanded access to the area's <br />workforce. Higher intensity mixed use development and retail development <br />should be encouraged along the transit corridor. The City will cooperate with the <br />Rush Line Corridor Task Force to implement recommended improvements along <br />the corridor. <br />Chapter 6 6-5 <br />Economic Development Ran <br />H,R <br />6 <br />