5. EDSR 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Appendix D: 8/28/06 EDA Marketing Committee Meeting Minutes MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MARKETING COMMITTEE HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2006 Members Present: Jerry Gumphxey, Gary Santwire, Chris Carlson, Dan Tveite and Maxk Urista Members Absent: Jim Barthel, Dave Ehlers Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Catherine Mehelich, Community Development Director Scott Clark Introductions /Overview of Plan Process Murray Wolf of Wolf Marketing & Media presented a brief overview of the project plan and schedule. 2. Presentation and Discussion of Research Findines Mr. Wolf presented the background, methodology and the situation analysis which includes a review of the overall business environment, primary and secondary target markets, competitors and the City of Elk River. The following points were presented: • The overall business environment for our area is healthy, strong, above national average and growing. • The Northwest Metro location is the first consideration for the city's primary target market of small to medium sized light manufacturers. Then transportation, workforce, infrastructure, specific sites and a city's reputation. Elk River is considered because of location. • Financial incentives are not the key in the site selection process but can affect fmal outcome Eox comparable locations. • After site selection, users want commercial and industrial areas to remain isolated to avoid traffic issues. Users worry about potential adjacent changing land uses and reduced design standards that could affect their business image. • Economic Development Division staff is interested, aggressive and responsive. Recent changes have alleviated most past concerns regarding the other departments and the city's development process. Users reported better communication and coordination between city departments now. • Among the industrial broker focus group, most stated that Northwest Metro is fast location consideration fox light industrial. The key decision-making criteria is based on where the business owner ox business executive hues, then transportation access, cost and proximity to workforce, vendors and clients. • The city's secondary target market of industrial brokers and site selectors noted that they worry about getting paid iE they bring clients to city owned sites and most think in terms of sites not cities unless hired to market a city.