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Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Economic Development Authority 7.2 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />General Business May 20, 2019 Amanda Othoudt, EDD <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Director Report Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Information presented for discussion to keep the EDA updated on development activity. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />BUSINESS VISITS <br />Completed eight BR&E visits with three more scheduled over the next few weeks. Please RSVP if you <br />are able to attend. <br /> <br />MISCELLANEOUS <br />I attended a familiarization (FAM) tour in Dallas with representatives from DEED and other economic <br />development directors from across the state. I visited with owners of some of our local companies and <br />toured their facilities. In the past, DEED hosted FAM tours in our region with global site selectors. This <br />year, they switched it to meet with corporate decision makers, connect with our local companies and visit <br />their facilities in the area in an effort to show our continued support through all facets of their business. I <br />thought this year’s FAM tour was very successful. We will attend another one in the Chicago area later <br />this summer. <br /> <br />BNSF <br />Cary Hutchings, Director, Economic Development <br />Chris Danos, General Director Strategic Programs, Economic Development <br /> <br />Discussion focused on BNSF market demand forecasting, certified sites program and automation. BNSF <br />plans to own and develop logistic parks across the country which would include offering transload <br />services to their customers. Their goal is to own the real estate and offer land leases in an effort to guide <br />and control development to industries that require rail. Larger metro markets are targeted. BNSF is <br />currently exploring new technologies such as automating horizontal container movement. Adopting these <br />new technologies can improve safety, expand their capabilities and enhance their customer’s experience. <br />They recently began construction on an automation pilot at their Logistics Park Kansas City intermodal <br />facility which will be operational this year. The information obtained through this pilot project will be <br />critical to understanding the benefits of automation, the level of expertise needed to run this type of <br />facility and will set them on a path to be the first rail carrier in the U.S. to implement this technology <br />within an inland intermodal facility. The relationship with short lines was discussed with BNSF indicating <br />they have a four person team manage it. We mentioned the closure of Electrolux and the target market <br />opportunity that presents. Becker facility was discussed as a low expense way to serve Minneapolis with <br /> <br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community <br />engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />