5.0. EDSR 11-10-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Strategic Industrial Marketing Activities Update November 10,2003 Page 3 of 4 • MREJ's Economic Development&Site Selection conference is tentatively scheduled for mid- December. The Economic Development Department will receive similar exposure at this event at no cost to the EDA. Energy City Roughly twenty people,including three staff members,Mayor Klinzing, and several speakers, attended the Energy City Rogers High School Open House held on October 21s` See the attached article describing the energy efficient aspects of Rogers High School and its relation to Energy City. On November 14`h, staff will be attending the Minnesota's Renewable Energy Research: Status& Opportunities conference,which is sponsored by Energy City's "parent" organization, Energy Alley (see attached conference description). A copy of the Energy City display board (currently on display at the Energy City Environmental Learning Center) will be included in the conference poster session. The session allows university researchers/students, nonprofit,government, and industry representatives to display their research regarding renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. Conference marketing materials will also include a description of Energy City. The conference is also an opportunity for staff to network with energy related businesses who may be interested in an Elk River location. Business Incubator Congressman Mark Kennedy's District Director,Mark Matuska, toured the Incubator and Cymbet Corporation on October 23`d. Jeff Bakken, son of Medtronic founder, Earl Bakkan, • also attended the event. On November 13th,representatives from the City of Hutchinson will be touring the Incubator as part of their research in starting their own program. Attached is the October KnowledGenetica newsletter. VI. Strategic Partnership Strategy Downtown Revitalization Project MetroPlains was awarded its tax credit application from the MN Housing Finance Agency. The City Council considered the HRA recommendation regarding the Small Cities Development Program application and held a public hearing on October 27th and approved two resolutions regarding the grant application. The application is for grant funds to be used for commercial and rental rehabilitation, as well as new rental construction in the Downtown Revitalization area. The application was submitted the end of October. Grant awards will be announced in early March of 2004. The HRA extended the Preliminary Redevelopment Agreement with MetroPlains to January 30,2004, to provide sufficient time to work together toward a Development Agreement. •