5. EDSR 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EDA Dlaxketing Committee Minutes July 17, 2006 Page 3 The consistency between departments has gotten better and he rates Elk River's process as easier than Maple Grove and Brooklyn Paxk. The process is better now than it was 5 years ago. Uxista agreed that the process has been easier in the last 5 years compared to 10 years ago. 3. Wolf Marketing & Media's Preliminary Assessment of 2002-2004 Action Plan Mr. Wolf provided an overview of the city's industrial development accomplishments as highlighted in the attached power point presentation. 4. Discuss Marketing Goals & Objectives Mr. Wolf asked the committee what they felt the city's marketing goals and objectives should be. Santwire inquired about the existing tagline - should it be "The" or "A" Light Industrial Hub of the Northwest Metro. Barthel stated that even though the tagline was rather specific he did not feel it was limiting. He stated that the tagline provides focus for our marketing efforts. He added that the city should continue on that path, but broaden it a little. Santwixe stated that when there is significant job growth then the city will be able to attract restaurants. Tviete stated he was interested in recruiting more "support' industries for our current manufacturers. Gumphrey agreed stating that the infxastrucmxe needed fox corporate campus is not here and Elk River is not the right location. Tviete stated Elk River is too fax out of the metro and away from the aicpoxt where the corporate execs want to be. Gumphxey stated the city needs to own the new industrial property in order to control land prices. Barthel stated it seems Elk River can best accomodate companies that have 100 people or less. Gumphrey agreed with recruiting more of the suppliers of existing industries and that this was recently discussed at the EDA meeting with the new Metro Fringe Enterprise Network System research. Mr. Wolf asked the committee's input on whether the marketing plan should be expanded to address commercial along with industrial. Gumphxey stated he would like to see what can be done to stimulate more commercial development investigated as part of the marketing plan. Santurire stated that he doesn't want to see the city subsidize commercial development. Gumphrey agreed but felt that the city should still be marketing to the commercial/retail market to let them know we're interested. Santwire stated he doesn't want to see commercial and industrial marketing get too integrated within the marketing plan. Ms. Mehelich suggested that retail/commercial development requires land and population to support the development and perhaps that is the best kind of marketing role the city can play fox commercial Mr. Wolf stated that part of their research will include talking to retail site selectors and brokers for their input on commercial development in Elk River. The consensus of the group was that land availability is the greatest issue affecting development. Ms. Mehelich stated that the city needs to first identify what kinds of industrial or commercial development they want before they just buy land for the sake of having land. The committee discussed why a company would locate in Elk River. Santwixe stated that people can live, work and play here with affordable housing choices, great real estate and city staff. Barthel stated that Elk River is to most people half the way to the cabin or up north and our workforce is excellent. Uxista stated that Elk River is half way between St. Cloud and Minneapolis and yet close to Mille Lacs and people's cabins. The committee members agreed that the Noxthstax Commuter Rail was going to be a major asset, although Barthel wondered how people would get to and from the station. 5. ext Stens