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Partnership with Elk River Municipal Utilities <br />For the past couple of years, staff has partnered with Energy City and ERMU to utilize <br />Energy City as an economic development tool. The creation of the Energy Efficiency <br />Rehabilitation Micro Loan Program is a product of that partnership. In addition, staff has <br />coordinated several meetings with local and metro developers ERMU to educate the <br />developer community about the advantages of locating data centers in Elk River. <br />The Bluffs- Granite Shores <br />James Soderberg of Soderberg Apartment Specialists has met with staff, the Elk River Area <br />Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown River's Edge Business Association to discuss <br />plans to purchase The Bluffs building. He plans to finish all units with granite counter tops <br />and stainless steel appliances within 60 days of closing. He has had discussions with several <br />interested commercial tenants and plan to rent out all residential units. Recent discussions <br />with Mr. Soderberg indicate amid-May closing date. <br />EDA Micro Loans <br />Staff has met with and provided Micro Loan information to several prospective businesses. <br />In addition, staff is working closely with ERMU on a potential Energy Efficiency <br />Rehabilitation Program applicant who is looking to purchase the former Hardee's building. <br />Main Street Parking Plaza (HRA parking lot/ 716 & 720 Main) <br />At their March 5 meeting, the HRA moved forward with Landform consultants to design <br />the parking lot fox the HRA-owned property :downtown, east of Elk River Meats. At their <br />Apri12 meeting, the HRA approved a concept plan which will close the alley and total. 29 off <br />street parking spaces. The site. will also include a trash enclosure (replacing the trash <br />enclosure removed. during. the demolition process), pavers, landscaping, benches and a bike <br />rack. The concept master plan included recommendations for a business kiosk, monument. <br />parking sign, recommendations for naming the parking lot, and an enhancement for all <br />downtown parking signage. The recommendations may be revisited at a later date. <br />Marketing material <br />Staff is working to update and redesign our marketing materials to implement our brand. <br />Project completion is anticipated to be the middle of May. <br />Economic development website <br />Outlined as a priority in the brand plan, staff is working with several web designers to obtain <br />quotes for a new website. A staff committee was formed to interview several website <br />designers. The group chose CivicPlus. This is an item which has been approved in the 2012 <br />budget for the EDA. Staff anticipates the website to be complete by mid-2012. The city will <br />begin the redesign of the entire website in 2013. <br />Greater MSP <br />Greater MSP is a private-public partnership funded by businesses, institutions, and <br />government, whose mission is to stimulate economic growth and prosperity, and higher <br />quality of life for residents in the Metropolitan region. <br />N:\Departments\Community Development\Economic Development\EDA to move\Agenda\Year 2012\423-12 EDA Agenda\ED <br />Project Updates.doc <br />