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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.16.16 EDA PacketAGENDA CITY OF HUGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Tuesday, August 16, 2016 5:00 PM 5:00 pm 1. Call to Order 5:01 pm 2. Roll Call (Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt) 5:02 pm 3. Approval of Minutes • EDA Meeting of June 21, 2016 5:03 pm 4. Update on Washington County Economic Development Chris Eng, Economic Development Director Washington County 5:45 pm 5. Update on Downtown Redevelopment 6:00 pm 6. Adjournment BACKGROUND MEMO FOR THE EDA MEETING OF TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Staff recommends approval of the minutes from the June 21, 2016, EDA meeting as presented. 4. WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Chris Eng has recently been hired by Washington County as the Economic Development Director. With the change in legislation, supported by the City and County, the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is now a Community Development Agency (CDA). Chris works for the CDA and will provide an update on the County economic development efforts thus far. He would like feedback from the EDA on how Washington County can help the City in economic development. 5. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff will provide an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF JUNE 21, 2016 Chair Weidt called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm. PRESENT: Denaway, Gallivan, Houle, Klein, Petty, Puleo, Weidt. ABSENT: None. STAFF: Bryan Bear, City Administrator Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE EDA MEETING OF May 17, 2016 Klein made motion, Gallivan seconded, to approve minutes for the EDA meeting of May 17, 2016. All Ayes. Motion carried. WASHINGTON COUNTY UPDATE Fran Miron, Board Chair of Washington County Commissioners spoke to the EDA. Miran spoke on general county information, tax base and population growth, residential survey, road construction and maintenance, aquatic invasive species grant, resource recovery, economic development & bonding, and public health. In regards to economic development, he stated that the County has been increasing its role in economic development. Miron stated that Washington County knows that that it is important to help both businesses that are already located in our County and those that might be Iooking to move here. Miron described that having more jobs and good jobs in our communities is vital to our economic health at the city and county level. He stated that Washington County will not be duplicating what cities already do, but will be in a support role to help communities that may not be large enough to have their own economic development staff. Miran stated that Washington County asked the Legislature to grant their Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which are additional powers related to economic development. Washington County believed that was a more efficient way than creating an entirely new organization to do economic development. The HRA already has much of the infrastructure and support to bring in this new function and is more cost effective for our taxpayers. That bill was passed and signed by the Governor so Washington County continues to move forward and has since hired an Economic Development Director, Chris Eng. DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT Staff provided an update to the EDA on downtown redevelopment. ADJOURNMENT Klein made a motion, seconded by Pulco, to adjourn at 6:24 p.m. All ayes. Motion carried. 7. Washington County supports the value and importance of economic development marketing and branding for existing business retention and growth and new business development. 8. Washington County partners with other public and private agencies to pursue economic development goals. There are 21 identifiable goals. The Goals are not listed in any priority order or ranking. Priorities are established by the letter assigned to each. The ranking is as follows: Letter A One to Six Months Letter B Six to Eighteen Months Letter C Eighteen Months and Longer 1. Washington County is responsible for many core functions that contribute to a premier quality of life that is important to business growth; economic development resources and investments will advance and support the high standard of living in the County. Work plan... i1 . . 1. Designate a county staff member to be the point of contact for economic Chris Eng development and implementation of the strategic plan. Complete A 2. Evaluate how economic development factors into the County's 2040 Ongoing Comprehensive Plan update. C 3. Establish and monitor key economic indicators and benchmarks for the Ongoing county and the quality -of -life indicators that are most important from a A business perspective. Include in the county's annual performance measurement report. 2. Washington County recognizes that economic development requires a strong infrastructure foundation built on multi -modal transportation networks and access to high-speed broad band networks. Work plan... 7 1. Explore public-private partnerships to ensure access to high-speed Kevin broad band fiber networks throughout the county. Corbid/MjYke C Nelson 2. Consider creating a pool of financial resources for unanticipated land Ongoing acquisition (e.g. right-of-way) needs for economic development C projects. 3. Continue to pursue multi -modal transportation and transit On-going; opportunities that will stimulate economic growth in the county. RRA A 7 3. Washington County uses economic development financial incentives in a fiscally prudent manner. Work plan... ---- - —_ _ _-- T-$ _.. _._ — -- 1. Review and update the existing financial incentive policies: tax --= - Jennifer increment financing and tax abatement. Wagenius - A and flexibility with economic development goals. Complete 2. Explore the creation of a revolving loan program to support business Ongoing support the County's economic development philosophy and principles. development. Washington County HRA to determine appropriate workforce housing A 3. Explore using federal Community Development Block Grant monies for Complete Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and determine what other activities economic development activities. CDA B 4. Washington County realizes that success in economic development is only achieved through a collaborative and inclusive environment. Work plan... S. Washington County understands that other county -based services impact economic development goals and economic growth, including but not limited to, transportation and housing policies and programs. Work plan... i - 1. Review transportation related policies and standards for compatibility 1. Explore the value and purpose of a public/private partnership such as an Complete and flexibility with economic development goals. Economic Development Corporation and how it may complement and A C support the County's economic development philosophy and principles. Washington County HRA to determine appropriate workforce housing 2. Identify present economic development activities of the Housing and Complete strategies that support economic development goals. Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and determine what other activities B could be directed to the HRA consistent with their mission. county -based plans, programs, and services. 3. Continue to convene the Economic Development Work Group to Ongoing address issues of mutual concern and to foster a unified county -wide A economic development approach. 4. Develop a concept paper on the formation of a Community Complete Development Agency (CDA) and present to the County Board. B S. Washington County understands that other county -based services impact economic development goals and economic growth, including but not limited to, transportation and housing policies and programs. Work plan... i - 1. Review transportation related policies and standards for compatibility Ongoing and flexibility with economic development goals. A 2. Review recent outcomes of housing market research completed for the Ongoing Washington County HRA to determine appropriate workforce housing A strategies that support economic development goals. 3. Where applicable, consider economic development impacts in other Ongoing county -based plans, programs, and services. B 6. Washington County provides leadership and initiative to shape regional and state-wide policies to support county -wide economic development goals. Work plan... JIM 1. Include economic development positions in the County's Iegislati-e Ongoing platform. B 7. Washington County supports the value and importance of economic development marketing and branding for existing business retention and growth and new business development. Work plan... .- - .. _-.. - - _ __ ..- _ -_ - - - - - 1. Assess how the County can participate in marketing and branding to Ongoing support the existing efforts underway in other public and private C agencies. 2. Build relationships with existing organizations that focus on job Ongoing retention and identify how the County can support those efforts. C 8. Washington County partners with other publiciprivate agencies to pursue economic development goals. Work plan... Economic Development Structure One of the primary goals of this Strategic Plan is to answer the question of what structure best suits the role Washington County should to take. The Work Group and county staff conclude that this will be a process that takes time to mature. Throughout the process two concepts were identified that are important components of the planning process: less formai structure and formal structure. Information on each follows. Less Formal Structure (Public Private Partnership) These models are essentially Economic Development Commissions (EDC) supported by membership dues from private companies and local units of government. They are typically convened and staffed by the interested municipal entity and play primarily an advisory role and advocate for development in the community. Some communities, such as Wright County, assign 1. Partner with the Workforce Development Board and staff to identify Ongoing and address workforce training and workforce housing needs. C 2. Identify specific economic development training and assistance needs of Ongoing Washington County communities and determine how best to meet those C needs. 3. Continue the county's policy and funding role in regional economic Ongoing development activities such as Greater MSP and East Metro Strong. A 4. Work with area chambers of commerce to determine how the county Ongoing B can help to grow tourism as an economic driver. Economic Development Structure One of the primary goals of this Strategic Plan is to answer the question of what structure best suits the role Washington County should to take. The Work Group and county staff conclude that this will be a process that takes time to mature. Throughout the process two concepts were identified that are important components of the planning process: less formai structure and formal structure. Information on each follows. Less Formal Structure (Public Private Partnership) These models are essentially Economic Development Commissions (EDC) supported by membership dues from private companies and local units of government. They are typically convened and staffed by the interested municipal entity and play primarily an advisory role and advocate for development in the community. Some communities, such as Wright County, assign Open to Business Lending Open to Business (OTB) provides the following loan products through the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). Loan Packaging/Facilitation: Open to Business advisors can assist potential borrowers with the preparation of business plans, cash flow and other financial projections, and loan application materials. OTB advisors can assist entrepreneurs in identifying borrowing needs and accessing community lending programs that provide favorable terms and conditions for small business borrowers. 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