9.0. EDSR 03-11-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• The following are additional comments made by business owners as to why they are dissatisfied with the area's students: • Applicants are not on time to interviews (1) • New workers are unable to use basic cabinet making tools (1) • Applicants and new workers have bad attitudes. One business owner stated, "trade school or college graduates think they are worth more money than they deserve". Another comment was, "nowadays, employees wonder what their employer can do for them, not what they can do for their employer". (2) Ill. Business Climate A. Company Comments I. Assets Access to the metro area was cited as Elk River's primary asset, according to the business owners surveyed. Highways 10, 169, and 101 allow businesses to reach customers, vendors and other suppliers easily. Many companies prefer the "small town" feel of Elk River while still enjoying the accessibility to the metro area. 2. Company Suggestions • Give industrial companies tax relief. (5) • Make it easier for smaller businesses to locate in Elk River by allowing less expensive buildings in areas that are zoned light industrial. (4) • Provide business subsidies to companies in need, such as Tax Increment Financing or Tax Abatement. (4) • Educate residents on the importance of small industrial businesses. (3) • Improve planning/zoning efforts for future industrial development. (2) • Improve the education of the workforce. (2) • Make permitting procedures easier. (2) • Work more closely with the School District. (2) • Recruit more industry to increase the tax base. (2) • Improve general traffic issues and access to the old industrial park. (2) • The City Council should work together with the community. (1) • Decrease transportation costs. (1) • Provide industrial companies with more local vendors. (1) • Take risks on new companies. (1) • Consider the input of industrial companies in the Comprehensive Plan Update. (1)