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Community Assets & <br /> Development Department <br /> <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />DATE: May 1, 2015 <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Janice Gundlach, Asst. Director of Community Assets & <br />Development/Planning Director <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Packet Materials <br /> <br />City staff has gathered numerous informational items related to the Commission’s May <br />6th meeting topic of Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) programs. <br /> <br />City staff has invited Brad Sanford and Duane Poppe from the Twin Cities North <br />Chamber of Commerce to talk about the Chamber’s Grow Minnesota initiative related to <br />BR&E. Staff has attached the latest Quarterly Update from Grow Minnesota as well as <br />the survey used by the chamber during BR&E visits. There may be opportunities for the <br />EDC and chamber to collaborate in this area if the Commission is interested. This can be <br />explored further during the Q & A portion of the agenda. <br /> <br />As the Commission may recall, there was a BR&E effort by the EDC in 2008-2009. <br />From records that are available, it appears five visits to New Brighton businesses were <br />done. The survey the City used during those visits, and the five results, are attached. It’s <br />seems evident this effort was not entirely successful being only five visits were done and <br />the survey results are not extensive. <br /> <br />Also attached are BR&E programs from the City of Roseville and the City of Shoreview. <br />While there are not a lot of examples of BR&E programs by New Brighton’s adjacent <br />cities, there are numerous examples throughout the state. Many cities use the University <br />of Minnesota’s Extension Service to develop BR&E Strategies Programs. Staff has <br />attached a few materials from the U of M Extension Services website so the Commission <br />may learn more about these services. <br /> <br />Lastly, based on discussion at the meeting the Commission may identify a clear objective <br />for discussion in June. If not, staff has included the four topic slides to aid in identifying <br />future meeting topics. Also attached, and for information only, is the latest edition of the <br />New Brighton Exchange e-Newsletter, which is being made available to the public at the <br />annual Town Hall/Community Open House Saturday, May 2nd at the New Brighton <br />Community Center (8am-noon). <br /> <br />Staff looks forward to a good discussion!