02-09-2004 EDA MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Authority Minutes Page 4 February 9, 2004 _____________________________________________________________ 6?. Prospect -Gradient Technology, Inc. Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich reported that a Preliminary Expansion Siting Proposal was submitted by staff to Gradient Technology regazding the company's proposed relocation project. Staff has proposed that the company purchase a 1.5-acre lot within the Elk River Business Park and that the Ciry do a write-down of the land cost to $0 through apay-as-you-go Tax Rebate Financing note to the company. Ms. Mehelich reported that the applicant had called to state that more time was needed to complete the TRF application and consequently the request Eor concept approval would be postponed fox another month. Commissioner Motin asked if the lot next to the proposed site was sold. Ms. Mehelich stated she understands from the landowners that the land was sold to a machine shop with a contingency to build within 12 months. She noted that the proposed lot would need to be subdivided to accommodate Gradient Technology. Business Incubator Prospect Report -Harlan Tacobs Genesis Business Centers Incubator Consultant Harlan Jacobs presented to the Commission his semi-annual Incubator Prospect Report. 8. loin[ Meeting with Action Committee for EnergyfACEI and Citv Council Regarding Elk River Enema City Prog am Mayor Klinzing wished to have it on the record that this is a special meeting of the Ells River Ciry Council. It is a joint work session with the EDA and ACE to provide an update on the Energy City Program. Bill Poppert discussed the Energy City accomplishments explaining that Elk River has an energy efficiency/renewable energy industry cluster, and Minnesota has a lazge critical mass of these types of companies. This is renewable energy that does not take phosphorus fuel. Currently the utility buildings axe using it and the Ciry also has renewable lights. Minnesota continues to be the leader in the renewable energy industry. In 1996 the MN Environmental Initiative had looked Fox geographic locations to demonstrate renewable energy technology and Elk River, through Energy Alley, became Energy City. Elk River became Energy City with a great number of utilities in this geographical area, a long history, the electrification programs, having the First nuclear power plant (which no longer exists as nuclear), having the RDF (refuse-derived fuel) Plant, etc. This is a very lively and growing industry that is also doing what is environmentally correct. Through a PowexPoint presentation, Bryan Adams illustrated the various activities that have been undertaken through this program over the past seven years. This involvement has included giving tours, showcasing GeoSource heat pumps., using RDF to produce electricity from garbage, use of LED lights (MnDOT project), reducing electric consumption by 80% - 90%, First to have energy homes in 1998, use of methane-gas derived from cow manure turned into electricity to sustain 50 homes, sustainable buildings, the use of wind power for 80 homes, the use of landfill gas to mm into electrical source for 50 homes, the Environmental Learning Center as an education model Eor other communities and educating and raising awareness of energy efficiency in Elk River.