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.Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To Item Number <br />Economic Development Authority 6.1 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br />General Business July 16, 2018 Colleen Eddy, Economic Development Specialist <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br />Marketing Update Amanda Othoudt, EDD <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Item presented for information. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />This year the performance measures set by the EDA focuses on personally connecting with developers, <br />marketing the city and gaining positive exposure for the city. Staff has accomplished these goals, to date <br />in the following venues: <br /> <br />Advertising: <br />In the first half of the year staff has achieved advertising in three different trade industry publications. <br />The Growler Magazine gave us the opportunity to promote the city’s Brew Pub/Tap Room Microloan. <br />We also placed ads in Site Selector magazine, Trade and Industry magazine, an advertorial in Expansion <br />Solutions magazines, and in the 2018 MN Twins Yearbook. <br /> <br />EDA website: <br />The EDA/HRA website has been updated to Economic Gateway 2.0, which offers an updated look of <br />the landing page and the addition “Powered by our Businesses” video feature. Avalon Salon will soon be <br />joining Sportech in this video module. MetalCraft and CHOW Mixed Grill will be featured in the next <br />couple months. The video compilations introduce community leaders and promote businesses who make <br />Elk River their home. <br /> <br />Trade shows: <br />Staff has attended two BisNow events, in partnership with Sherburne County, Greater MSP, and <br />Minnesota Marketing Partnership through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic <br />Development (DEED). The event in Virginia was attended by 350 data center professionals from around <br />the county and included a market visit with Buddy Rizer, the Economic Development Director for <br />Loudoun County (which has over 7 million sq. ft. of data centers). He has been instrumental in the <br />success of the data center market in Loudoun County and the state of Virginia and look for his insight as <br />we continue to attract data center developments in Elk River. <br /> <br />Staff reconnected with Chirisa, a data center investment company which the city hosted a site tour with <br />back in January (Elk River is still on their short list of locations). The other BisNow event held in Dallas <br />included market visits with JLL, Site Selection Group and US Consults (who is interested in the gravel <br />mine area). <br /> <br />