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Item # 7 <br /> City of <br /> Elk -_ <br /> River <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Economic Development Authority <br /> FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator <br /> DATE: September I0, 2001 <br /> SUBJECT: Assistant Director of Economic Development Position <br /> Assistant Director of Economic Development Marc Nevinski has recently resigned and left <br /> the City of Elk River for a different position with the City of Coon Rapids. It is <br /> recommended that the EDA (and City and HRA) retain this position in the 2002 budget but <br /> that this position not be filled for a while until the economy and the activity level in the <br /> • economic development department picks up again. <br /> This Assistant position was established at the request of then Economic Development <br /> Director, Paul Steinman,in early 1999, and Marc was hired to fill the position in spring 1999. <br /> Paul was very busy in 1998, and the late 1990's was a very active time for the city economic <br /> development department.An enormous amount of Paul's time was spent on TIF 18 <br /> (Morrell).Also,TIF 19 was in its early stages and this required a great deal of Paul's time <br /> throughout 1999. Besides TIF districts, the economic development strategic plan had <br /> recently been completed and much effort was being put forward in order to implement this <br /> plan. Implementation included work with consultant Theresa Washburn for the central <br /> business district focus study; the business incubator project was in its early stages; and the <br /> microloan program was active. Projects that needed attention in 1999 included working on <br /> the King/Main redevelopment project, developing a marketing plan, and participating in the <br /> energy city program. <br /> Today, things are much slower in the economic development department. As the economy <br /> has slowed down, so has the number of inquiries and interest in business expansion and <br /> relocation. The TIF law has recently changed dramatically and the city expects very few new <br /> TIF districts in the future. The tool we may be using for assisting businesses is tax abatement <br /> and this is a much easier program to administer. The business incubator program is still <br /> active but slower than what we saw in 1998-99. The King/Main project has been completed <br /> and, finally,we are seeing fewer microloan requests than a few years ago. <br /> • <br />