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Strategic Industrial Ma~kcting Opdum <br />May H, 2006 F.DA Mccting <br />Page 2 of 1 <br />Positive and helpful criticisms were received regarding the City's development process. The <br />forum also allowed staff to communicate the City's expectarions on many things including <br />inspections and wetland and erosion controls. <br />Limited comments were received regarding the opportunities for the City's Gateway <br />Business Center property due to the unknown nature of the developable property remaining <br />around the many wetlands on the site. <br />Business Financing Forum. May 24. 2006 <br />The attached Business Financing Forum flyer was mailed to area lenders. The purpose of <br />the event is to inform lenders about the City's various economic development incentive <br />programs and loans. <br />IV. Promotions & Advertising Strategy <br />Staff continues to work with Tammy Miller Design on the 2006 Strategic Industrial <br />Advertising Campaign. Ads axe currently appearing in the MN Leasing Guide, which is a <br />quarterly publication. <br />V. Public Relations Strategy <br />Technical Assistance Program <br />In May 2003, the EDA committed a $5,000 match to a giant provided to the EDA by the <br />Initiative Foundation to implement atwo-year paxmership program with Minnesota <br />Technology, Inc. (MTI). The pxogxam offers manufacturing companies up to a $2,000 giant <br />fox technical assistance services, such as plant layout assistance ox Lean manufacturing <br />training. Applications axe reviewed and approved by staff. <br />The two-year giant period with the Initiative Foundation ended on May 31, 2005. Since that <br />time, the Initiative Foundation provided the EDA two 6-month extensions. The pxogxam <br />will end on June 30, 2006. <br />The following Elk River manufacturers have utilized (ox have been approved to utilize) the <br />program: <br />• Elk River Machine received strategic planning assistance last summer. <br />• Spoxtech recently received training to establish industry benchmarks and measuxables <br />and to produce efficiency gains in manufacturing layout. <br />• E&O Tool and Plastics will receive training to improve the effectiveness of your <br />Website and marketing efforts. <br />• Metal Craft Machine & Engineering will receive training to establish baselines and <br />prioritize lean implementation. <br />The Technical Assistance Program balance is currently $400. <br />Economic Development Newsletter <br />Staff and Wolf Marketing & Media recently completed the attached 10"' edition of the <br />Economic Development newsletter. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide <br />manufacturers and site selectors information that is useful to their operations and to present <br />an "open for business" image. The newsletter is distributed in the Economic Development <br />