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MINUTES <br />New Brighton Economic Development Commission <br />Regular Meeting — November 4, 2015 <br />7:30 a.m. <br />Members/Liaisons Present: Chair Paul Zisla, Commissioners D.L. Beach, Monica Garcia -Perez, Kevin <br />Peck, Al Potter, and Bob Benke <br />Members/Liaisons Absent: Council Liaison Gina Bauman, Commissioners Bruce Knight, Mike <br />Murlowski <br />Staff Present: Janice Gundlach - Assistant Director of Community Assets & Development/Planning <br />Director and Craig Schlichting - Director of Community Assets & Development <br />Also Present: Rob Smolund, Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers/Open to Business <br />Call to Order <br />Chairperson Zisla called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. <br />Approval of Minutes <br />Motion by Commissioner Benke, seconded by Commissioner Potter to approve the minutes from the <br />October 7, 2015 meeting. <br />Approved 6-0 <br />Report from Council Liaison <br />There was no report from the Council. <br />Presentation and Discussion: Oven to Business <br />Background Informational Materials <br />Gundlach explained she reached out to Open to Business and Rob Smolund after receiving direction <br />from the EDC last month. She discussed the materials that were provided to the EDC from Mr. <br />Smolund. <br />Rob Smolund, Open to Business, thanked the EDC for their time. He provided the EDC with a <br />presentation on the history of Open to Business, how he helps promote entrepreneurial development in <br />new businesses and discussed how he could assist the City of New Brighton. It was noted Open to <br />Business began in 2010 by working with the City of Brooklyn Park. He explained that after five years, <br />Open to Business now covers most of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, and Scott Counties. He noted <br />Ramsey and Washington Counties were in discussion with Open to Business. <br />Chair Zisla questioned what size loans were being approved by Open to Business. Mr. Smolund <br />reported loans up to $25,000 were being offered to startup companies. He discussed other gap <br />financing options that were available to assist new businesses. <br />Commissioner Potter questioned how companies would learn of the Open to Business programming. <br />Mr. Smolund commented that he received referrals from bankers, cities and from the County. <br />Commissioner Peck asked how much a contract with the City would cost. Mr. Smolund commented he <br />would have to contact his CFO but anticipated this would cost $10,000-12,000 per year. He discussed <br />how this expense could change if Ramsey County were to join Open to Business. <br />