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Economic Development Authority Minutes <br />Jdy 15,2020 <br />Page 2 <br />The Commission asked about the continuation of the Together Elk River program <br />as well as what to do about the database of business information they have been <br />collecting. <br />The Commission questioned if the database was a duplication of Elk fuver Chamber <br />of Commerce resources. Would Together Elk fuver eventually make the chamber <br />irrelevant? <br />Commissioner Wagner explained they had apptoached Together EIk fuver as a <br />partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber lobbies at the state level <br />on behalf of businesses. The Together Elk River campaign will be more successfirl as <br />a group venture. <br />Commissioner Wagner stated she sees the EDA doing the same thing every year and <br />going to the same conferences and wanted to see something different. <br />The Commission felt that a database might help the EDA proactively work with the <br />business community. <br />Ms. Othoudt talked about the conferences staff were hoping to attend n 2021. <br />The Commission asked for information on these conferences and the retum on <br />investrnent for attending. They also stated the amount may need to be a placeholder <br />becaus e of potential con ference cancellations. <br />The Commission asked for metrics to help determine what type of businesses and <br />industries are interested in Elk fuver, what is done to reach them, and why they <br />potentially choose not to locate here so they can quanti$, the data. They also would <br />like to be cognizant of the EDA staff capacity of adding projects. <br />Commissioner Blesenet added that he would appreciate a nanadve to understand <br />what "seeds" have been planted for prospective new businesses or expansions and <br />the value in recurring presence at conferences. <br />Ms. Othoudt stated she could make summary rtformation available as part of the <br />Director's Report. <br />Commissioner Ovall asked for more informadon about wedand credits. <br />Ms. Othoudt will work with the Environmental department to provide this <br />information. <br />Commissioner Wagner asked if the Together Elk fuver subcommittee could operate <br />outside of open meeting laws as an advisory committee. <br />f 0ttItr Et