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^ Clients that left Elk River and prospects that went elsewhere stayed in the Northwest Metro and <br />made those decisions primarily fox financial reasons. They said they liked Elk River, but they <br />made purely business decisions. <br />^ After site selection, users worry about how future development might impact their business <br />operations and property values. Some specifically mentioned their dislike of cotnxnexcial and <br />retail development near industrial development. They also worry about possible tax hikes and <br />ongoing worker recruitment, retention and training. <br />^ Elk River is generally considered to be a good value fox industrial users. Prices fox industrial land <br />and buIldings are usually competitive with other nearby Northwest Metro communities, and far <br />less than closer-in suburbs like Maple Grove. <br />^ Several interviewees said that, although some potential users might view Elk River as too far <br />from the metro core, that's changing. Good highway and rail access, and the coming of <br />Northstar, make Elk River an increasingly viable location. <br />^ All the interviewees had positive comments about the Elk River Economic Development <br />Division, especially Economic Development Director Cathy Mehelich and Assistant Economic <br />Development Director Heidi Steinmetz. Many comments were extremely positive. Cathy and <br />Heidi were singled out numerous times fox being proactive, aggressive and enthusiastic about <br />wanking with potential and existing users. <br />^ Several interviewees said that Elk River is a more sophisticated community than it is generally <br />perceived to be, and that it has a more professional Economic Development staff than one <br />would expect fox a community of its size. <br />^ The builders and developers we spoke with said that while they were very happy with the <br />Economic Development Division, they had very negative experiences in working with other Elk <br />River City Staff in the past, specifically in the areas of interdepartmental communication and <br />coordination. And both builders say the City Engineering Department is still a problem. But <br />they all agreed that the changes initiated by Community Development Director Scott Clark have <br />made great strides in turning that situation around. <br />^ None of clients ox partners we spoke with had any complaints about working with City Staff. <br />^ The builders both said they'd like looser land use and design standards. In particular, they'd like <br />to see more land available for warehouses and outside storage. They said they have directed <br />multiple users to other communities due to Elk River's higher standards. <br />^ On the other hand, the clients, partners and developers we interviewed said they did not want to <br />see the standards relaxed. Once they or their clients make a commitment to the community, they <br />want to make sure their investment is protected. <br />^ Only one interviewee -who had been unhappy with the development process in the past -saw <br />any significant deterrents to locating ox expanding in Elk River. <br />A2 <br />