EDSR INFORMATION #1 10-08-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a \11^4 INFORMATION Ctty MEMORANDUM ElkRive? TO: Economic Development Authority FROM: Annie Deckert, Director of Economic Development DATE: October I, 2012 SUBJECT: Job Creation Initiatives Attached you will find an article published in The Star Tribune on September 29,2012, discussing the City of Brooklyn Park's recent job creation initiatives. `Open to Business', an initiative which offers coaching and business plan assessments to firms is a program which offers services very similar to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC is an agency which provides services similar to the `Open to Business'Program. Brooklyn Park has received positive press for this program- please note that staff has been implementing a similar program for the past four years. Staff works very closely with the SBDC, and several businesses within the city have utilized the SBDC when putting together business plans,marketing plans and when seeking legal advice. Working with the SBDC is also a strong recommendation for all Micro Loan applicants. Pamela Sitts,recent recipient of the EDA's first Energy Efficiency Improvement Micro Loan,worked closely with the SBDC when putting together her business plan. Staff is working with the SBDC to schedule a presentation for a future EDA meeting. Additionally, creating and executing a survey to solicit ideas in which the EDA can improve Elk River's business climate to distribute to business owners is an action step which will be included in the 2013-2016 Economic Development Strategic Plan, similar to Brooklyn Park's `Business Forward'program. ATTACHMENTS: • Good jobs starting to flow in to Brooklyn Park, The Star Tribune, September 29,2012 POWERED ® Y C:\Users\adeckert\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\90Y59UE4\Job NATURE initiatives FYI memo 10-8-12.doc