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Baker Tilly <br />Baker Tilly is the EDA’s financial consultant. They provide financial review of TIF and Abatement <br />applications. Staff attends their annual conference to learn about new trends in the market and stay up to speed <br />on changes to TIF and Abatement policy. <br /> <br />ROI: Preparing financial review of public financing applications, education and personal development. <br /> <br />Site Selector Guild <br />Staff attended the Site Selector Guild Conference this week with our representatives from DEED, City of <br />Becker, Greater MSP, GRE, Xcel, and APEX. As part of our sponsorship, our delegation hosted a lunch with <br />12 guild members who work specifically in Minnesota. Everyone had an opportunity to pitch their community <br />to the consultants and create a dialect of questions and good conversations about the amenities of our region. <br /> <br />ROI: In 2018, one lead was generated by the SSG conference, staff responded to an RFI for an existing <br />building in Elk River. One lead came from the SSG conference in 2019, staff responded to an RFI to which the <br />project was put on hold due to COVID. The conference has generated positive exposure for the city. <br /> <br />Economix <br />This event is a blending of economic development professionals, coming together to stir additional insights and <br />practical tools to enhance work in their respective communities. The event features over 24 top site consultants <br />from around the globe and attended round table discussions. The round table discussions are meant to obtain <br />one-on-one time with the consultants so they can learn about your community and what you have to offer. We <br />have developed great relationships with many of the consultants over the years of attending events like these. <br /> <br />ROI: In 2019, one lead was generated by the SSG conference on a data center project, staff responded to the <br />RFI. This is a pipeline project. The conference has generated positive exposure for the city. <br /> <br />Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC) <br />MAEDC offers two conferences a year. The Best Practices Conference, which is rotated between the 13 states, <br />offers best practices and case studies from the hosting state. The Competitive Conference is held in Chicago <br />and offers panel and roundtable discussions with site selectors. <br /> <br />The Mid-America Economic Development Council is an organization that provides economic development <br />professionals with the following: <br /> Resources aimed at helping the economic development professional to excel. <br /> Recognition of quality economic development programs and marketing. <br /> Awards programs to reward excellence. <br /> Promotion of the 13-state region to site selectors and industries to help raise the level of <br />awareness. <br /> Networking opportunities among regional members to promote idea exchange and partnering. <br /> <br />ROI: Professional Development, networking with economic development professionals from the 13-state <br />region. A data center lead was generated from this event. Staff collaborated with the Golden Shovel Agency, <br />our website developer, at the 2014 MAEDC conference. Colleen is in her second term on the board and has <br />hosted a roundtable discussion during the 2019 Competitive Conference. <br /> <br />WETLAND BANK <br />Wetlands in Minnesota are protected by the Wetland Conservation Act which regulates fill, drain and