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<br />Economic Development Authority Minutes <br />November 8.1999 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />6. <br /> <br />Business Retention and Expansion SUNev Report Presentation <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Economic Development Marc Nevinski reviewed the final <br />report of the business Retention and Expansion Survey that was conducted this <br />summer. Marc explained that the sUNey consisted of interviewing Elk River's <br />industrial business owners and managers to learn about their experiences in <br />relation to the strong economy with a tight labor market. Marc Nevinski <br />indicated that business owners identified many of the same strengths and <br />weaknesses that were identified by the EDA in its Strategic Planning Session. He <br />stated that one of the recommendations made was for the city to pay more <br />attention to existing industries as it was felt that the growth and satisfaction of <br />existing business should be a primary concern of the community. <br /> <br />7. <br /> <br />Consider Establishment of a Marketing Committee and Discussion of Marketing <br />Consultant Proposals <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Paul Steinman explained that staff has been working towards putting together an <br />industrial marketing plan as this was a high priority issue identified within the <br />modified strategic plan. He indicated that the first step in the process is for the <br />EDA to establish a marketing committee. Paul Steinman recommended a seven- <br />member committee. He noted that the following people have been contacted <br />by EDA staff and EDA President Dwyer and have indicated their interest in serving <br />on the marketing committee; Jim Barthel, Elk River Machine; Daryl Thompson, <br />EDA/Council Representative; Chris Carlson, Sportech, Inc.; Gary Santwire, Realtor; <br />Renee Sander, Chamber Vice President. Discussion was held by the EDA <br />regarding possible names for the remaining two committee members. It was <br />suggested that Paul Steinman contact the following people to see if they're <br />interested in serving on the committee: Jim Simpson, Lynn Caswell, Dan Smith, a <br />representative from the School District Representative, and a representative from <br />United Power Association. <br /> <br />Paul Steinman indicated that he has received two proposals from Economic <br />Development Marketing Consultants. He indicated that he is presenting these <br />proposals to the EDA for preliminary review and would expect the marketing <br />committee to complete the interview process. <br /> <br />COMMISSIONER FARBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE FORMATION OF A MARKETING <br />COMMITTEE TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS: JIM BARTHEL, DARYL <br />THOMPSON, CHRIS CARLSON, GARY SANTWIRE, RENEE SANDE, PLUS TWO OTHER <br />MEMBERS FROM THE LIST PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED BY THE ELK RIVER ECONOMIC <br />DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. FARBER ALSO MOVED THAT THE MARKETING COMMITTEE <br />INTERVIEW THE TWO INTERESTED CONSULTANTS AND PROPOSE A RECOMMENDED <br />SELECTION TO THE EDA AT THE JANUARY 2000 MEETING. COMMISSIONER DWYER <br />SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. <br /> <br />8. <br /> <br />Consider Riverside Manufacturing Micro Loan <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Marc Nevinski indicated that Sheldon Mayer, president for Riverside <br />Manufacturing, has submitted an application for a supplemental micro loan to <br />assist in the expansion and relocation of his firm to Elk River. Marc Nevinski <br />explained that the requested micro loan of $50,000 will be used to cover moving <br />expenses and lease-hold improvements in a 10,000 square foot bay of the Decker <br />