6.0. EDSR 12-08-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Update of Economic Development Strategic Plan December 8,2003 Page 2 of 3 The Taskforce also called upon the special areas of expertise represented by the EDA for input on issues related to the city's industrial base, and the HRA for input on issues related to downtown development/redevelopment. The strategic planning process was facilitated by Jim Brimeyer,The Brimeyer Group, a professional consultant with a high level of expertise in group facilitation,plan development and city operations. Through the process, four major issues which affect the economic growth of the City of Elk River were developed: • Issue - Industrial Base o Goal-Attract new businesses to increase the city's industrial base. • Issue - Business Retention and Growth o Goal-Retain and grow the city's existing business/industry. • Issue- East Highway 10 development/redevelopment o Goal-Redevelop the east Highway 10 corridor • Issue- Downtown Redevelopment o Goal-Attract reinvestment in the Elk River central business district. 1999 Update The 1999 Modification Committee consisted of the HRA, EDA and City Council. The purpose of the modification was primarily to reexamine the four major issues and related goals and determine if they were still applicable at that time and into the year 2002. The Modification Committee agreed that the four original issues expressed in the Strategic Plan would remain-with some reprioritization. The major shift in issues occurred with the moving of the Downtown Redevelopment to a lower priority issue and heightened the need for a focused Industrial Marketing Strategy. Many of the action steps identified in the 2000-2003 Plan have been completed. At the same time,new challenges and opportunities have arisen that may require a joint discussion of the EDA,HRA and City Council,including but not limited to: • Role of Strategic Plan in supporting the Comprehensive Plan Vision for the future • The City's role in housing and housing's relationship with economic development • Implementation of the downtown revitalization project • Evaluation and prioritization of other redevelopment areas (north of Highway 10 at Jackson,Ron's Foods, northeast corner of Proctor and Highway 10) • Challenges to siting industrial prospects in private business parks • Future role of the business incubator • Future role of Energy City as a marketing tool Discussion Points • Do the EDA,HRA and City Council feel the need to revisit the Strategic Plan? • If so,what process should be used to update the Plan? Taskforce or Modification Committee? Staff recommends that the City utilize the services of an outside party facilitator, such as Mr. Brimeyer again. • Does a late afternoon-into evening work session accommodate commission and . council members to discuss the Plan update? • Are there other Commissions that should be involved in the Plan updating?