HRSR INFORMATION 12-12-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Staff has worked closely with Elk River Meats in regard to project communication. Elk River Meats wIll be closed fox business during the time of anticipated demolition. At the November HRA meeting, the HRA directed staff to explore potential uses for this site after demolition. Staff will be researching this topic and report back the HRA at a future meeting. Elk River Axea Arts Alliance (ERAAA) The ERAAA has relocated to 310 and 314 Jackson place and held their grand opening on December 10`h. The ERAAA indicated this is a temporary location. Region 7W Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) In 2009, staff and a few EDA, HRA Commissioners and the Mayor participated in public information meetings to develop economic development strategies for the Region 7W (Stearns, Benton, Wright, Sherburne Counties). The CEDS analyzes the regional economy and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives, devising and implementing a regional plan of action, and identifying investment priorities and funding sources. A CEDS is required by the US Dept. of Commerce in order to access federal economic development giants fox infrastructure, disaster recovery and some stimulus funding programs. 'The CEDS plan was recently completed and submitted fall 2010. Staff attends periodic meetings to discuss this plan and to learn about potential grants and programs which we may be eligible fox. Branding Implementation The Powered by Natare brand is growing quickly. Numerous businesses and organizations utilize the brand, and staff continues to move forward with brand implementation. Staff created a Powered by Nature b1og, and the logo can be seen on city materials including emaIl signatures, business cards, letterhead, agendas, memos, receipts, and more. The City's branding steering committee developed a list of the 23 most high-impact and important goals and assigned a responsible party and timeline for each. The branding subcommittee is working to branch out by identifying and assembling a Brand Champions Team led and chaired by the private sector with a staff liaison. Potential CDI Expansion Staff received a proposed expansion fox Crystal Distribution Inc. (CDI), located in Northstar Business Park late this summer which proposed an expansion onto the 8.88 acre vacant lot in the northern portion of the park. CDI expressed their desire fox a potential lot split because their expansion did not require the entire pastel. Splitting the lot would leave the northern portion of the lot inaccessible. In addition, sewer and water service would need to be made available to the remainder of the parcel. At their October EDA meeting, Che EDA directed staff to work together to come up with a proposed site plan acceptable by both CDI and the city. In addition, the EDA directed staff to obtain appraisals on the property in its entirety, and the two separate parcels should the lot be split. This is to determine the market value and the marketability of the northern portion of the parcel should the lot be split. N:ADepa~tmrn[s-VCommunity DevelopmentAGconomic DevelopmentAI IRA to moveA/Agcoda\Y ca2U11 VI'.xemtive Director mpoa L2- 7~1Ldoc