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 Geothermal Heat Pump Rebate Application <br /> Lighting Retrofit Rebate Application <br /> New Construction Lighting Rebate Application <br /> PTAC, Mini-Split Water Source HP Rebate Application <br /> Rooftop, Split System, ASHP Economizer Rebate Application <br /> VFD and ASD Drives Rebate Application <br /> <br />At their January 22, 2019, meeting, the EDA approved the Economic Development Energy Incentive <br />program. The program allows the city to waive the applicable PILOT for an approved applicant and <br />redirect that amount as a credit distributed through the applicant’s monthly ERMU electric service bill for <br />up to two years. <br /> <br />The Energy Efficiency Improvements Loan is available to property owners of commercial or industrial <br />buildings in Elk River to provide low interest loans to businesses to invest in energy efficiency and <br />improve their profitability through reduced energy costs. In addition, the microloan program helps the <br />city of Elk River use energy conservation as an economic development tool. Applicants may apply for the <br />cost of improvements up to $74,999 <br /> <br />Do these current rebate programs offered by ERMU and the EDA meet the needs of the business <br />community? Are there additional energy related rebates that the EDA is willing to consider? <br /> <br />Concern #9: Can there be a proactive approach to business development such as educating builders, contractors, owners <br />before a project is submitted? <br /> <br />Staff meets with pre-applicants to discuss new projects, or developments. This is an informal meeting <br />with staff to address the concerns and questions an applicant has prior to submitting an application for <br />formal review. <br /> <br />Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) visits conducted by staff from economic development, <br />planning, environmental and engineering. It is at these meetings that we learn if a business is seeking to <br />expand, which gives us an opportunity to educate owners on the process. <br /> <br /> <br />Concern #9: Communications regarding process requirements for Building permits, Codes, Loan programs and <br />Ordinances needs to be timely, consistent, clear, transparent, and communicated up front, before excessive money is spent. <br /> <br />Staff met with Minneapolis planners regarding their Small Business Navigator Office. They redeployed <br />three staff people within the city development agency to the Small Business Navigator Office. The core <br />function of this department is to establish a phone number, e-mail, and a website for people to call and <br />ask questions on starting a business in the city. Their website, the Minneapolis Business Portal provides <br />entrepreneurs and business owners with valuable information and resources to plan, launch, and grow a <br />business <br /> <br />The City of Minneapolis also features a Business Technical Assistance program. The Business Technical <br />Assistance Program or B-TAP program was created to provide consulting support to businesses located <br />in the City of Minneapolis.