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Community Assets & <br /> Development Department <br /> <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />DATE: February 1, 2018 <br /> <br />TO: Economic Development Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Janice Gundlach, Asst. Director of Community Assets & Development/Planning Director <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Open to Business <br /> <br />Attached is the 2017 Year-End Report for Open to Business. Rob Smolund from Open to Business will <br />attend the Commission’s meeting to discuss the report in detail and to answer any questions or concerns <br />the Commission may have. In 2017, hours served is actually down from 2016 at 67 hours compared to 89 <br />hours in 2016. <br /> <br />In 2017, Open to Business only charged the City half of the contract price for services being the hours <br />served decreased resulting in not as much time spent on New Brighton business. This is not an <br />arrangement that is guaranteed in future years. City staff recommends remaining committed to this <br />program as it offers a service to New Brighton businesses that City staff cannot otherwise provide. Open <br />to Business is currently being marketed on the City’s website and through pamphlets at City Hall. In 2017, <br />Open to Business was presented to the New Brighton Business Council of the Twin Cities North Chamber <br />of Commerce and marketing materials were distributed in all utility bills. In 2018, staff intends to use <br />Facebook to promote Open to Business in the days leading up to local office hours at City Hall. To realize <br />greater use in 2018, staff is interested in hearing from the Commission on what marketing efforts should <br />be considered. <br /> <br />Attachment <br /> Open to Business 2017 Year-End Report <br /> <br /> <br />