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• Retaining employees was considerably easier for most businesses than recruiting them, <br /> although retaining both skilled and unskilled workers in general was still rated as <br /> difficult (see figure 2). Perks such as flex-time, company picnics, profit sharing, training <br /> programs, and strong benefits packages helped to encouraged existing employees to stay. <br /> Employee Retention: Figure 2 <br /> 10 <br /> ▪Easy <br /> 5 ▪Mod. <br /> ▪Difficult <br /> 0 <br /> Prof Sales Skilled Unskilled <br /> III. BUSINESS CLIMATE <br /> Community Assets <br /> Access to the metro area was cited as the primary asset Elk River provides to industrial <br /> business. Highways 10, 169, and 101 allow businesses to reach customers, vendors and <br /> other suppliers easily. However, many other communities provide good, if not better, <br /> esaccess to the metro area, so why not locate someplace closer? Other assets cited included <br /> access to labor pool from both the metro and out state areas, lower rent costs, and access <br /> to materials. Finally, several business owners cited relationships with local lenders and <br /> other business owners as the key reason for coming to or staying in Elk River. <br /> Conversely, Elk river lacks certain assets that make doing business in the community <br /> more difficult. A lack of local suppliers was citied as a primary complaint, followed <br /> closely by a poor local transportation network. Specifically noted was the accessibility to <br /> industrial areas with springtime road restrictions as well as driving through town. <br /> Finally, one respondent cited a lack of affordable housing as limiting the available <br /> workforce. <br /> Five Year Plans <br /> Questions about future expansion plans elicited a variety of responses. Approximately <br /> five business owners intended to sell their business either to a family members or another <br /> party. Eight businesses indicated plans for expansion, but only three stated they were <br /> committed to staying in Elk River. The remaining businesses had plans for slow, steady <br /> growth and either did not see needing to expand in the next five years or had recently <br /> completed an expansion. <br /> 41111 <br /> 6 <br />