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Economic Development Authority Minutes <br />May 18, 2020 <br />----------------------------- <br />S. Open Forum <br />No one appeared for Open Forum. <br />6. Public Hearings <br />There were no public hearing items. <br />7.1 EDA Strategic Plan Update <br />Page 2 <br />Owl <br />Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She introduced Tom Leighton, Economic <br />Development Specialist, Senior Urban Planner from Stantec Consulting. <br />Mr. Leighton reviewed his background experience. He also reviewed the work plan <br />and the Authority's involvement in the plan as shown in his presentation. <br />Commissioner Blesener asked for more elaboration on Item 1.4 Focus Group <br />Sessions and Item 4.2 Business Community Workshop (Optional Task). He felt all <br />these audiences were important to the conversation and asked about the strategy to <br />engage people. <br />Mr. Leighton stated the focus group sessions are designed to get differing viewpoints <br />and would include audiences such as business owners and other groups He stated <br />Stantec has been developing alternative mechanisms for outreach due to COVID. <br />Commissioner Blesener asked if Stantec had a profile of the focus groups the <br />Authority should be considering. <br />Mr. Leighton stated it's a collaborative effort. He said the Authority should not <br />worry about these being statistically representative, but he would want to make sure <br />key perspectives are at the table and provided examples related to manufacturing and <br />downtown. <br />Ms. Othoudt provided examples of other groups such as the school district, the <br />downtown business association, chamber of commerce, industry, service -related <br />businesses, developers, realtors, and brokers. <br />Mr. Leighton stated the Business Community Workshop would require an additional <br />budget allocation if the Authority wished to pursue it. He discussed the SWOT <br />analysis related to Elk River. <br />The Authority asked for informational material prior to the next meeting. <br />7.2 COVID-10 Small Business Emergency Microloan Program <br />Ms. Othoudt presented the staff report. She introduced city attorney Gina Fiorini. <br />101EIE1 11 <br />NATURE] <br />