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Home My WebLink About[07c] 2010 Annual Report/2011 GoalsDate: Decembber 9, 2010 Memo To: Members of the EDAA City Addministrator WWeyrens mm: Cynthiaa Smith-Stracck, MDG, Incc. Memo Fro RE: 2010 Annnual Reportt, Goals for 22011 2010 Repoort: Please findd attached the initial ten ppages (execuutive summarry to be addeed) of the EDDA Annual Repport to Counccil. I’ve reformmatted the repport in an effoort to be morre user-frienddly. I’ve also included an allocation of hoours (Januaryy thru Novembber) to each of the five coore functions oof typical EDAA programs.I’ll continue to work on the report aand likely haave additional innformation for you at the mmeeting. Goals 20111: Please consider potentiaal goals for 20011 for discusssion at the mmeeting. Ð¿¹» îë ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT 2010OA : FFICE PPOINTMENTS The following appointments to offices were made at the January 27, 2009 EDA meeting: Chair: Dale Wick (Council Member, term expires with Council Term, unless re- elected). Vice Chair: Ken Jacobson (At-large representative; term expires 2011). Treasurer: Tom Skahen (At-large representative, term expires 2013). Secretary: Carolyn Yaggie-Heinen (At-large representative, term expires 2012). Member at Large: Al Rassier (Mayor, term expires with Mayoral Term, unless re-elected). M: ISSION The mission of the EDA is to provide a professional municipal economic development program that assists industrial and commercial development activities which minimize impacts to the environment, transportation system, municipal water/sewer use, and financial resources for the City of St. Joseph. CFSD: ORE UNCTIONS AND TRATEGIC IRECTIONS The St. Joseph EDA, as a driving force for economic development, pursues the following core functions and strategic directions: Organizational Development (19% of staff time 2010 – January to December) Product (including infrastructure) Development (10% of staff time 2010 – January to December) Business Development (64% of staff time 2010 – January to December) Workforce Development (0% of staff time 2010 – January to December) Market Development (7% of staff time 2010 – January to December) Additional information regarding core functions of the St. Joseph EDA and the how those relate to activities within 2010 follows. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 5 Ð¿¹» îê ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT Organizational Development The City of St. Joseph has an economic development organizational structure in place. The structure is prescribed by Ordinance with day to day operation governed through EDA by-laws and administrative (consulting) staff. The EDA works closely with the Planning Commission and City Council. The EDA’s Enabling Resolution provides for a separate political body established under Mn. Stat. 469.091 (City economic development authority) which is authorized to exercise economic development powers under Mn. Stat. 469.090 to 469.108 which include powers under Mn. Stat. 469.001 to 469.047 (housing redevelopment authority powers) and Mn. Stat. 469.152 to 469.165 (relating to industrial development powers). The St. Joseph EDA is limited by the Enabling Resolution in terms of issuing bonds or other obligations (must be approved by the City Council); the EDA must follow the budget process (similar to any other department); the EDA’s development and redevelopment plans must be consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan (in St. Joseph all development/redevelopment plans created by the EDA are brought to the City Council for approval as well, although not technically necessary); and, the EDA’s proposed plans for building development/redevelopment (if owned by the EDA) must be submitted for planning review by the City. The St. Joseph EDA’s activities in 2010 (January thru November) related to Organizational Development consumed 19% of allocated staff resources and included: 1. Monthly EDA meetings (10 total) 2. One special EDA meeting 3. Preparation of packets for EDA meetings 4. Preparation of EDA minutes 5. Updating of Official Minute Book 6. Attendance at City Council annual workshop 7. Preparation and presentation of the annual report to the City Council 8. Presentations to various entities including Minnesota Association of Commercial Realtor events, St. Cloud Economic Development Partnership events, and Chamber of Commerce events 9. Goal setting and work plan administration/implementation 10. Review of the administrative structure of the EDA (full-time staff position, part-time staff position, continue with consultant arrangement) City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 6 Ð¿¹» îé ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT Infrastructure Development If the support infrastructure system needed to deliver and produce goods and services is not in place, economic development is unlikely to occur. Under this core function the EDA strives to ‘set the table’ for development. Infrastructure needed to support economic development includes: availability of and available capacity within basic facilities and services (i.e. wastewater, drinking water, roadways, stormwater, schools, gas, electric, telephony, etc.) and available sites for development (platted, improved, shovel ready lots) in each business area (downtown and highway commercial) and industrial area. The St. Joseph EDA’s activities in 2010 (January thru November) related to Infrastructure Development consumed 10% of allocated staff resources and included: 1. Gateway program (CSAH 2/I-94 and CSAH 75) elements, including participation in activities related to right of way appraisals, corridor planning, development concepts, softscape at 75/College Avenue, and language relating to transportation overlay corridors. It is noted for the purposes of this discussion that gateways of the community are defined as major roads leading into St. Joseph from other areas and entry ways into specific sections of the community (e.g. downtown commercial versus highway commercial). The intent of the St. Joseph EDA relating to gateways is to: (a) promote a positive and distinct image of the community and encourage appropriate types of development which lend themselves to such an image; and, (b) to enhance transportation functions of roadways; and to (c) foster community pride. 2. Downtown revitalization program elements, including: a. Street/landscape plan created by Scenic Specialties which attempts to: i. Promote a consistent ‘theme’ in the public realm in landscape plantings, public furniture, lighting, etc, ii. Provide a connection between the Wobegon Trail and downtown St. Joseph, iii. Soften the volume of cement/bituminous areas at the intersection of CSAH 75/College and CSAH 75/CR133, iv. Afford enhanced pedestrian respites when crossing CSAH 75, v. Promote lingering by pedestrians within the downtown. b. Rental Housing Work Group organization and facilitation as authorized/directed by the City Council. It is noted the purpose of the Work Group is to determine, examine, and report potential strategies to transition student rental properties from previous occupancy levels to those experienced post-change in CSB/SJU on campus residency requirements. The basic underlying question to be examined is whether or not the public sector should get involved in transitioning rental uses, and, if so to what extent. c. Completion of SCSU study relating to the economic impact of the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University on the City of St. Joseph and potential impact of a change in residency policy on the local economy. d. Examining transition strategies for large apartment complexes potentially impacted by lower occupancy rates by students. 3. Creating “Shovel Ready” Sites for industrial use, highway commercial use, and downtown mixed commercial/residential use. It is noted at this time there are only three available industrial properties in the community, two of which are build to suit locations: City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 7 Ð¿¹» îè ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT a. Work with bank to secure final plat for Parkway Business Center as a means of removing impediments to developing the new 52-acre commercial/industrial area and ready site for improvements. b. Work with GTI Inc (Gateway Commons), Walz Development LLC, and Millstream Development LLC, including the development of concept plans for the area south of CSAH 2. c. Examine methods of creating vacant commercial/mixed use lots within the Central Business District as identified as crucial to the success of the area in a 2007 Market Study completed by McComb Group, LTD. This effort is complemented by opportunities presented by potentially available student rental houses in the immediate downtown. d. Work with Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union to encourage highway commercial development by finalizing plat of four acre site in the northwest quadrant of CSAH 75/CR 133. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 8 Ð¿¹» îç ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT Business Development Business development efforts center on three general programs: business recruitment, entrepreneurial development, and retention/expansion. The St. Joseph EDA has an active business recruitment program including: information on the local business climate, active lead follow-up, inventories of available properties, business basics and start up information, business incentive programs, available & current demographic information (i.e. population make-up), general market data (housing, employment, business mix, market potential, etc.), and information on current and planned projects including market absorption rates and estimates of current square feet per use. Efforts to encourage entrepreneurial development are currently a strategy the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership is actively pursuing. The Partnership and other organizations are working to create an environment conducive to the development of a strong bioscience – biotechnology hub. At this time the EDA has not actively pursued specific entrepreneurial development projects. The St. Joseph EDA Director implements an on-going retention/expansion/attraction (BREA) program: (1) as leads are initiated, received, followed-up on, and pursued; (2) as available properties/establishments are identified (toured) and promoted; (3) and as technical and/or financial assistance is sought. The 2010 BRE outreach efforts (January thru November 2010) consumed 64% of allocated EDA hours. Time dedicated to BRE type activities included: 1. Discussions, meetings, research, and information distribution for projects with 25 existing business/property owners and/or contacts seeking project review, site plan review, technical assistance, financial assistance, business management direction/assistance and similar items. 2. Discussions, meetings, research, and information distribution for projects with ten new business/property owners seeking project review, site plan review, technical assistance, financial assistance, business management direction/assistance and similar items; (please note not all inquiries arise to the ‘new project status’ as some are simply cold calls for information or otherwise determined as non-viable. 3. Meetings with various property owners regarding an array of issues related to economic development. 4. A business cluster strategy based loosely on ‘farm to school’ programming but broadened to include processors (like the St. Joseph Meat Market) and institutions (CSB/SJU) is being defined and analyzed by the EDA. The EDA’s role would be to facilitate relationships and discussions as a means of identifying/coordinating business between local producers, processors, and end users. Locally grown food processed and consumed locally has nearly endless economic benefits, health and wellness benefits, and community involvement benefits. 5. Promotion, administration, and implementation of technical and financial incentives for local businesses including: a. Tax abatement programs (five inquires in 2010) b. Tax increment financing programs (ten inquiries in 2010) c. Business Façade Architectural Grant program (12 inquiries in 2010, six applications approved, five projects actualized/in progress) d. Revolving loan fund (promoted to 15 projects in 2010) e. Mn. Department of Employment and Economic Development programs: City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 9 Ð¿¹» íð ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT a. Business Development Infrastructure Grant Program (five inquiries relating to Parkway Business Center, Millstream Business Park, GTI Property, and Walz Development Property. b. Minnesota Investment Fund (three potential applications). f. JOBZ program (one inquiry) g. 2010 Minnesota State Jobs Bill opportunities (10 projects identified). h. SBA program parameters/contact information (three inquiries). i. Technical information: business planning, business financing, business management, land use planning, land use review. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 10 Ð¿¹» íï ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT Workforce Development Workforce development activities in Minnesota are generally coordinated by Workforce Development Centers located throughout State and not at a municipal level. The 47 existing Workforce Development Centers provide service to anyone transitioning from one job to another, from school to work and from welfare to work situations. The Workforce Development Centers also provide service to those entering the workforce for the first time. Services can be customized to meet specific needs of each individual. Workforce development centers have historically pursued bottom-up (i.e. working with educational institutions to provide relevant education for employment opportunities expected in the future) and top-down (i.e. working with businesses to educate their workforce and/or working with businesses to identify types of worker skills needed) strategies in an effort to link available educational opportunities with business needs. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 11 Ð¿¹» íî ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT Market Development There are two ways a community can bring new dollars in: attract new individuals and/or attract new organizations (e.g. businesses, non-profits, educational organizations, government, etc). The St. Joseph EDA has historically focused primarily on attracting new organizations; however, the EDA has continued to support attracting new individuals to the community as well. The 2010 market outreach efforts (January thru November 2010) consumed seven percent of allocated EDA hours. Time dedicated to marketing activities included: 1. A key marketing tool utilized by the EDA is the City’s website. In 2010 a ‘business toolbox’ was added to the EDA’s “One Stop” business information page. The ‘business toolbox’ provides information, resources, links, and advice covering the following topics: a. A business plan template for start-ups b. A business plan template for existing businesses c. Resources nearby: St. Cloud SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives); the Small Business Development Center, the Initiative Foundation, Women Venture, and the Anderson Entrepreneurial Center. 2. Other EDA “One Stop” information updated at the website is: a. How to evaluate a business opportunity b. Choosing a business organization c. Licensing and permitting information (federal, state, and local requirements) d. Zoning and site plan review information and resources e. Sites available in St. Joseph f. Technical and financial assistance available through the EDA g. Advantages of doing business in St. Joseph h. Advantages of doing business in Minnesota 3. The information contained under the “Community Development” heading on the City of St. Joseph website is updated on a consistent basis. 4. In February the EDA hosted a Business Builder Breakfast event. 5. New marketing pieces were created for the BFA program and the Revolving Loan Fund. The marketing flyers are available at the City website, in the display case at City Hall, and in the EDA office. 6. In October, the EDA presented information at a Chamber of Commerce meeting relating to the street/landscaping drawings. 7. The EDA Chairperson, Dale Wick, attends every St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership meeting and serves on the Partnership Board. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 12 Ð¿¹» íí ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT 8. The St. Joseph EDA participated in the SCAEDP’s creation of a regional economic development strategy by specifically identifying potential infrastructure improvement projects. 9. The EDA Director regularly submits information for the City newsletter. 10. The EDA Director regularly does business in town so as to conduct market outreach and inquire as to the state of business. City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 13 Ð¿¹» íì ±º íé 2010 ST. JOSEPH EDA: ANNUAL REPORT 2010MD: EETINGATES The St. Joseph Economic Development Authority met thirteen times during the year 2010. The meeting dates were as follows: FIGURE 1.1 January 27, 2010 August 25, 2010 February 24, 2010 September 22, 2010 March 24, 2010 October 13, 2010 April 28, 2010 October 27, 2010 May 26, 2010 November 24, 2010 June 23, 2010 December 22, 2010 July 21, 2010 City of St. Joseph | EDA Annual Report - 2010 14 Ð¿¹» íë ±º íé