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<br />Creating a Plan <br />Beyond identifying a goal, staff suggests keeping an open mind on what a plan might be <br />until sufficient information has been gathered and the stakeholders (i.e. the businesses) <br />voice what they need/want. As such, the Commission could start with the following: <br /> <br />1) Create a list of businesses <br />2) Determine what businesses to survey (employers in a certain industry, employers <br />with a specified number of employees, etc.) <br />3) Develop survey questions (once a goal is identified questions can be crafted that <br />aim at acquiring the information desired) <br />4) Consider conducting visits (start with a priority list of 10 and visit one a month <br />for a year or two, etc.) <br />5) Evaluate survey results and determine next steps (could evolve into developing <br />one or more of the items bulleted in the previous section of this memo or maybe <br />the business community is satisfied and no additional initiatives are necessary) <br /> <br />The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce has provided BR&E services for communities <br />in the past. Their efforts are much narrower than the larger BR&E services the <br />University of Minnesota Extension Service provides. Staff would like to reach out and <br />gain a greater understanding of these services should the Commission wish to implement <br />a BR&E program representative of the five items listed above. Depending on what staff <br />learns, the EDC would be asked to weigh in on services offered through the St. Paul Area <br />Chamber of Commerce. If these services are something the EDC wishes to pursue, this <br />recommendation would be advanced to the City Council for approval. <br /> <br />The Commission should keep in mind that beyond everything mentioned in this memo, <br />data acquisition might lead to a conclusion that BR&E programs are not deemed a need <br />in New Brighton. Or, possible secondary outcomes of data acquisition might include <br />desires from the business community to see physical improvements to certain areas of the <br />City or concerns that certain properties are seen as drawbacks to improvements or <br />investment. Maybe the business community voices interest in sense of place-type <br />projects that the EDC has expressed interest in. Without data, staff can only speculate on <br />what the business community desires and needs. <br /> <br />September 2nd Meeting <br />September’s meeting will be devoted to Blocks B and D in New Brighton Exchange. <br />Staff has arranged for a representative with Colliers International to provide a brief <br />market update, Dan Fetter with Barr Engineering will discuss the environmental <br />challenges unique to Block B, and Ryan Companies will round-out the discussion by <br />presenting concept site plans for both blocks.