HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES EDA 05.16.23MINUTES 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.
Commissioner Puleo asked how the seminar will be communicated to business owners. Eng responds that
they are communicated through chambers of commerce, and several other EDA members suggested
engaging the Hugo Area Business Association (HBA).
UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT
Juba gave an update on development taking place throughout the City. The relocated Premier Banks
branch pulled their building permit. The City is getting closer to an agreement with the DNR on the
Downtown Hugo project. Xcel Energy will be constructing the mo ck substation in the Bald Eagle
Industrial Park as Phase 1 of the project that was approved in late 2022. There are several residential
projects moving forward that were in the pipeline, but developers are mostly holding due to
economic concerns.
Commissioner Puleo asked how much interest there has been for commercial and industrial projects.
Juba responds that there hasn’t been a lot, primarily due to a lack of vacant industrial property that is
connected to municipal sewer and water services. There has been some commercial interest, such as
a potential Circle K gas station. St. Croix Saddlery will be moving due to a lack of space. Lametti and
Sons is moving towards closing a deal with Dart Portable Storage after the latter received approval of
a CUP amendment in February. Finally, the construction of the roundabout at 159th Street and
Highway 61 is expected to begin this summer.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Klein made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Arcand, to adjourn the meeting at
6:12 PM.
Ayes: All
Nay: None
Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted.
Max Gort, Associate Planner