9.0. EDSR 03-11-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Overview of Issues The 2002 BRE Survey generated the following main responses: • Participating companies included companies associated with machining, plastics, concrete, cabinet making, refuse derived fuel, battery technology, electronics testing equipment, and precision motors. • Business owners surveyed do not feel that the area's students are well prepared to work in Elk River's industrial companies. • Business owners provided the following main suggestions for improvement: 1) Allow more space to be zoned light industrial 2) Provide more financial incentives for industrial companies to locate in Elk River and 3) Educate Elk River residents on the importance of industrial business. Staff Recommendations One of the action steps of the 2000-2003 Economic Development Strategic Plan mentions the creation of an economic development newsletter. This action step was implemented in the summer of 2001 when a Development Update newsletter was sent • to Elk River's industrial firms. One business owner surveyed mentioned that the newsletter was much appreciated since he likes to keep updated on the economic development within the City of Elk River. Staff recommends that future newsletters be provided to Elk River's industrial companies since this is an easy way to keep the communication lines open on a periodic basis. Staff recommends that a new format be used to conduct the BRE Survey. During each visit, business owners seemed more comfortable casually conversing rather than answering the fourteen technical questions currently used in the BRE Survey. Perhaps a three-question qualitative survey would suffice for future BRE surveys. The three questions would cover industry trends, the labor force, and company suggestions, similar to staff's past surveys. Since the EDA is a decision making body, unlike staff, more business owners might participate in future BRE surveys if they received a letter from the EDA when staff begins work on each future survey. Although the 2000-2003 Strategic Economic Development Plan makes it apparent that the EDA is committed to business retention and expansion, perhaps a letter from the EDA, reiterating its commitment to business retention and expansion would provide industrial companies with a more personalized sense that their voices will be heard. • Finally, three business owners discussed the importance of providing general education to the public on the importance of industrial businesses. Staff recommends that