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Home My WebLink About[12] FYI Administrator DATE: January 2, 2013 Judy Weyrens Mayor MEMO TO: Honorable Mayor Schultz Richard Schultz Members of the City Council Administrator Weyrens Councilors FROM: EDA Wick, Frank Steve Frank Bob Loso RE: December EDA Meeting Update Renee Symanietz Dale Wick EDA The December regular meeting of the EDA was held on the 19th at 5 p.m. Following are meeting Doug Danielson highlights: Larry Hosch public Comment Steve Frank Valerie and Joseph Silva, owners of the McDonald's franchise in St. Joseph attended the EDA 'rom Skahen meeting. The Silva's reported McDonalds will open on December 31, 2012 and shared details Dale wiok about a planned grand opening event scheduled for January 29, 2012. Mr. Silva explained Mrs. Silva started as a counter staff person at McDonalds and worked her way up to owning franchises. He was a police officer in Chicago until they became business owners. They own stores in Waite Park, Avon, and now St. Joseph. They have owned franchises for five years. The Silva's handed out information cards about a planned grand opening and fundraiser on January 29'h. Proceeds of the fundraiser will benefit the Klinefelter Foundation and will be timed to the 17t"anniversary of the late St. Joseph Police Officers death. They have reached out to regional media regarding the event and would like City leaders to join them for the grand opening. The Silva's wanted to let City leaders know about the grand opening. EDA Board Member Frank asked the Silva's for input on the focal development process and fee requirements. The Silva's reported the development process ran smoothly and that fees were reasonable. Frank asked them to comment on the sign ordinance. The Silva's reported they didn't have any difficulty meeting standards, just had a glitch with the sign contractor that they were working through. Frank asked about work force quality and the Silva's noted workforce quality is good. Wages were as per minimum requirements with opportunities for advancement.. Disbursements. The EDA approved the following disbursements: 1. BFA grant in the amount of$498.74 (50%)of cost of a sign for Mill St�eam Village. 2. Tax abatement payment of$50,000 to Coborns for second half of 2012. 3. fax increment payment of $27,540.80 to MinnWest Bank for the second half TIF payment for Gohman/Fabral building. This is the final TIF payment for this project, the district decertified December 31, 2012. 4. Tax increment payment in the amount of$12,229.16 to Millstream Shops/Lofts for the second half TIF payment for 2012. I Business Retention and Expansion Survey Report. The EDA accepted a final report from the Business Retention and Expansion survey effort undertaken in 2012. A total of 57 businesses responded to an on-line/mailed BRE survey equating to approximately 30 percent of those contacted. EDA Board Members commented on the perception of infrastructure costs as affordable but the concern regarding taxes. Also mentioned was the desire of several businesses to link to the new City website. Strack noted follow up on those with an interest in the BFA and/or RLF programs could be undertaken, as could follow up with those indicating an interest in expanding in St. Joseph (two businesses). Frank noted the EDA should keep the survey results in hand and refer to them often so as to maximize the effo�t. The BRE survey results are attached for Council information. Downtown Master Plan. The EDA has decided to gauge interest from property owners in the downtown prior to creating any illustrations regarding future footprint of downtown. Strack is to contact individual property owners and report back to the EDA. Development Report. A business development report which was included in the EDA packet. Highlights include Borgert Products adding a cold storage building to their industrial site and continued discussion of extending utilities to the GTI/Walz properties. Petitions for annexation had been emailed to GTI/Walz property owners. 2 CI�'Y OF ST. JOS�PH �vvvev.cityo(stjoseph.com Business Retention & Ex ansion Pro ram p g Summa Re ort ry p St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce August 1,2012—December 5, 2012 Purpose/Objectives # Business The St. Joseph EDA and Chamber of Year Establishments #Jobs Commerce recognize the impact businesses 2012* 126 1,672 have on the local economy. National statistics 2011 122 1,723 show that in one year a small business 2010 128 1,705 employing 15 individuals on average: 2009 127 1,577 ✓ Generates $430,000 in payroll for the local 2008 130 1,528 community •2012 First Quarter Statistics ✓ Pays$45,000 Ift pfOp@I'ty t8X@S Source:MN Department of Employment&Econ.Dev. ✓ Makes $15,000 in charitable donations to local causes. The St. Joseph EDA and Chamber of Source: Canada, Eric, Bevond the Basics: Advanced Commerce developed a business list for the Business Retention.Wheaton:Blane,Canada Ltd.2003. BRE PI'ogram WhiCh inCluded home based The EDA and Chamber of Commerce are aware businesses. The BRE list included 150 there are three primary sources of job growth in businesses, all of which were contacted. a city: Fifty-seven (57) of the 150 businesses ✓ Incoming new business (11%) participated in the survey, resulting in a 38% res onse rate. ✓ Existing business expansions (80%): and p ✓ Start-up operations (9%) Source:Blane,Canada,Ltd."Beyond the Basics—Advanced BRE Process and Timeline eusiness Retention� The EDA and Chamber of Commerce conducted the BRE Program through an on-line sunrey. Realizing the importance of retaining the Initial letters were sent to businesses informing businesses in the Community and fostering them of the program and its purpose. Follow-up future job growth, the EDA and Chamber worked post cards were mailed, emails to Chamber cooperatively to complete the 2012 BRE members and follow-up phone calls and the Program. The BRE Survey was created with the mailing or emailing of surveys to businesses that following objectives: had not responded. The Chamber of Commerce provided a $50 incentive as a part of a drawing ✓ To provide the EDA and Chamber of to encourage participation. The survey was Commerce with information on the local conducted between August, 2012 and business climate. December, 2012. ✓ To obtain information which would allow the EDA to assist businesses that may be in Survey Contents need of expansion or need assistance to The BRE Survey included 35 Questions relating remain viable. to: ✓ To learn about local businesses and their ■ General Business Contact Information future plans. ■ Business Sector ✓ To obtain input from business people on • Ownership/leasing of facilities EDA programs and priorities. ■ Longevity in the City ✓ To stay in touch with our local business ■ Why they located here leaders. ■ MarkeUterritory ■ Positive aspects and challenges to Businesses in St.Joseph doing business here The number of businesses and employment ■ Infrastructure concerns opportunities in St. Joseph have remained ■ Sales trends relatively stable over the past five years. The ■ Business recruitment following table reports the number of business ■ Business plans-expansion or relocation establishments and jobs, as reported by the MN ■ Employment - #s, payroll, commuting Department of Employment and Economic pattems Development. ■ Hours of operation ■ Chamber membership ■ Financial Programs Page 1 of 10 ■ Branding ■ EDA Priorities ■ Other comments ■Retail Business Several Questions were included in the survey ■Service to assist in identifying opportunities as well as Industry "red flags" ❑Manufacturing/ Warehouse Opportunities included: oEducation • Other businesses that would be beneficial to have (suppliers, etc.) ■Leisure and • Current facility not adequate to handle Hospitality future growth • Projected employment growth ■GovernmentlP . Interest in the Fa�ade Architectural ublic Design Matching Grant ■Non-profit Red Flags questions related to: • Decreased employment projections � • Decreased sales over the past three � years Just over / of the business participants own a • Plans to relocate commercial space, with nearly %. leasing a • Concerns with infrastructure commercial space. A total of 16% own an industrial facility, seven percent are home-based Use of Information businesses and two percent lease an industrial space. Follow-up to BRE questions is essential including responses to any requests for �. � � � � � � ; information including: � � �� $ �i�� { �� n �" �� ; • Available sites �� ' � � ° k R 4 �SMi�T�p�t�S • Financial programs ��`� �� d,�,� ��'��:� �� • Concerns with city infrastructure, etc. Home-basecibus+ness; " 73�0'-. '`< 4 • Plans to relocate Own a c�mrnercial space ' ' SQ 9%, ' = 28 ' • Plans to expand lease a commercial space ; : 238°��- _� � �13 '�� Own an industr+al building 16 4% '. 9 Summary of BRE Survey Results �ease a�industr�ai s��ce � ��.�� .-'�� Following is a summary of the survey results. Other(pleasespecify� � `�: � �r��a*� �F€"�'� �� t �`� � ,��,: Linkin Business Web to Cit 's Web Site �� °��F` a�� '� 9 Y „�z�� s�r1A'ped;�..uestior� _ ; 'x.w .. -' � � ' Fifty of the businesses reported they have websites. Of these 35 or 70% requested the city link their businesses web site to the City's LOn eVlt in the Communit business directory. 9 y y Twenty-one (21) of the fifty-seven (57) or over Type of Business 1/3 of the businesses reported they have been The survey participants represented a variety of �n St. Joseph 25 years or more. Businesses industry sectors, with the largest group from the Which located in the community over the past 0 service industry (51%), followed by retail to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years and 16 businesses (26%), manufacturing and to 20 years were also well represented. warehousing (10.5%), leisure and hospitality (9%)and non-profits (3.5%). Page 2 of 10 How many years has youc business Most Positive Aspects to having a Business been located in St.Joseph? itl St. Joseph ■ 0-5 ears, Businesses were asked the most positive ■ 25+years, 24 60� aspects of operating a business in the 36.8% community. The number one response was the proximity to St. Cloud, followed by the loyal customer base. ■ 6-10 years, ; 19.3%;' What are the three(3)mostpositive ❑ 16-20 p :11-15 aspects of having a business in St. years, Joseph? 7.�°!o years, 12.3°10 90.fl% 80�0% 70:0% Reason for Locating in St.Joseph so.o% Businesses were asked why they chose to locate in St. 50.Dok Jose h. The to three res onses included: roximi to 40.U� p P P P tY 30.0/o their home,a market need,and affordable land or building. 20.0% 10.0% Q.�p�O What was.your primary reason for � o �o a v �, rn m locating your business in St.Joseph? X� �� ,`o_�� o ,�o :o o � ro a � L �— �, � L O � 2 V'C y�O �� y p,— �.,G p 0� p.Q t0 CU :GZ '=O �- 'C1.� '`�-�p �m < p� c�C W o �N. Q m � V � ~ W� J O J Market ' neea, Challenges to Operating a Business in St. 32.0% Joseph When asked what the greatest challenges are to ordable operating a business, only 60% responded with !an uildi Location " a challenge. The top responses were the ng,18. �o �proximity unstable economy and competition with to metro), ? businesses in the St. Cloud area. 16.0% : Wt��t are�e�,�reates#r�altenges to opera#�ng d businea��p Markets served by St. Joseph Businesses �"�0��:��; `� z � � �''F�� .�� Of those responding, 61% reported that the �s+��R��s �� 4�5� ��t�se ;'� ,nt �at��t primary market they serve is local. The following Competition with businesses in St. , ;: chart illustrates the other responses. Cioud and surrounding areas ` '�'g�Q �$ Unstable ecdnomy 'S$,8�o ' 20 What ma�ce#�oe�ypur business pr�m�r'ly senre? 3 s �ack of affordabie�ousing for work �gDfo 2 � force ;: : � �� Ftespcinse"�� esp��,�� ' Mobility of the workforce 2.9% . 1 Answer Options � �� 7 Perce�# �� ' Cour�f ;',, Other(please specify) 23 ,,,;, �,,,,,� , . ,,,, Local 6�.4% 35�. ' "� ; ��, �h ansyv�r'ed questi�n ,._ .., 3�.�'� 3 .� � „ , , State 22,8°/Q 13 '�skippetl guesticn.. 23 ` Regional(5-Sfate 3�,�D � Other challenges noted included: high property Area) : , taxes (4), getting local support and customer National ` 10.5°la 6 loyalty, making people aware they are here, International 1.8% � continued annual business overhead increases, � �� -� ' `@ ��' banking, trash in parking lots, limited signage, eriswered'q��s,tro�`; . , . , ;�7:' Page 3 of 10 getting people to slow down, perception that government restricts business growth, inconsistency in the application of ordinances, the housing market and finding quality people. InfrastructurelBusiness Concerns Businesses were asked if they have any concerns with infrastructure, etc. The top concerns noted were taxes and fees followed by ■Increased�Been stable ODecreased roadways within the city and broadband access. __ .._ Employment _ __. , ,. A majority of the businesses that responded Communiiy lnfrasVucture-Please currently have one to five employees. Four check any/all that'you have concems businesses reported over 30 employees. H►+th: Businesses are projecting increases in employment over the next three years with five 8U.0°� businesses projecting they will have over 30 employees and one projecting over 100 7��Q��O employees. 60.0% 5d.0% How�n8�s��`�.��s��a1�� -�'� �Y��r�� o . wOTIC��f�� 9p�1�C`�Ci�:� �'�iAP��t� f� 40.0% � �� e� �' �� '� � r�". emplti�ees�Qy� �rr� �t��tthr� o � .,m�� 30.0/0 .: ,: �� e�k„ � 20.0% Answer Cur�ent °Qto�ected $ �� .�mploymen't 4 �� o Opt�ons"��Employme� ° � � �� 10A/a �:tn 3 years �� _,.�a-:� ��<z .: ��, - . � �. _ : 0.0%a 1-5 30 20 3fl: a, � �, � �... � � � N � � � � �, � � � � � 6-10 3 6 7 E .� � w v a `—° `—° c" u' � 11-20 13 5 13' 8 ` � � � � a a � 0 21-30 4 9 1U: o '3 '� c9 a � � '� cn � � � �, �> a � � u, 31-40 2 � 2 �� m ' a, 41-50 2 1 2::., ` a o 5175 Q 1 ' � � � 76-100 0 0 ; 0 '. � > 101-2Q0 0 1 1 ___ _ _ 201-300 0 0 � Other comments included the desire to not have 301+ 0 0 D a post office box, the re-routing of County Road �,�� z � � � � ��a�s�1�,r�d g�e.s��' � 54;; 2, signage, the need for a sidewalk along 2"d ; ��ippEdques�� ,� 3 ' Ave NW and a paved alley, the lack of sanitary � sewer and water along the new County Road 2, payroll the lack of "Shovel Ready" business property gusinesses were asked to share their annual and a east-west transportation corridor and some city ordinances. payroll in St. Joseph. Four businesses reported annual payroll in excess of $1 million. Three Sales History reported an annual payroll between $500,000 o and $1 million. A majority pay under $500,000 Over 40/o of businesses report their sales have per year. A total of 28% of the businesses chose increased over the past three years, with one not to respond to this question. third (1/3) reporting stable sales. Page 4 of 10 Are your current facilites adequate? 17% ■Yes ' ■No ■$0-$t00,000;pe�year ❑Uncertain ` ■$101,000-$500,000 per year ❑$500,041-$1 rnillion per year ; o0ver$1 millionperyear Of those indicating space is inadequate the following reasons were provided: • I can't grow anymore without moving.Not sure if I will go Where Employees Live bigger. Businesses were asked what percent of their • We will require betfer parking as we expand and handicap employees live locally, or within a five mile parking! radius of St. Joseph. All businesses reported • Since the"county road 75 overlay district corridors"take- they have at least one local employee. The over of most the businesses land along the 75 corridor it percent of employees who live locally varied very much limits expansion anywhere along ihat stretch...plus greatly by business. The category question most are aftaid of additional tax&fee increases.Most of asked respondents how many of their us,as we have all met as a group before,were not employees lived within five miles of St. Joseph. guaranteed by our attorneys,we could push&receive some kind of tax credit or relief,so we canned the idea. • We would like to expand the size of our building by acquiring the '" 4 adjacent building to either side. The likelihood of this is small, however. • Building is small but we would not be looking for another location as it is important that we remain and pay rent for that spot. • The expense to build a functional building on this site would be prohibitive with demolition and current codes. • We are outgrowing the space and our building has a very high taxes. • Based on location and tax structure location becoming less viable. • We will need to expand if our sales even grow by 10-15%, ■0% ■1-15% ❑16-30% ❑31-45°/a however we have the additional acreage here to expand. ■46-60% �61-73°k ■76-94°k o 91-100°h • We will be needing another building in the near future. • I am outgrowing my space and it has limitations. If I had funds available I may choose to have a warehouse type setting. Facility Needs and Future Plans • We would love to expand in the city of St.Joseph,but plans are Businesses were asked if their current facilities to build elsewhere as it will take too long for city to act on are adequate for the future. Nearly 60% expansion plans.Our growth will not wait for the city of St. responded "Yes", 23% uncertain and 17% or ten Joseph and the timeliness of its planning process. (10) businesses responding"No". Several thousand foot facility,with high-end salary positions for production and sales support.(Anonymous submittal) • Want to expand to include training facilities. • Certain city by-laws inhibit the bar industry from competing with the surrounding communities,as such we lose a substantial customer bases to them. Page 5 of 10 • Need more warehouse space for our finish product. It would • We would like to see more sit-down eating give us more working space in the factory part for more workers. establishments-not fast food.We have a lot of ineetings • Not enough warehouse space. in our office and would like to be abie to take them out to • tooking at more catering space/perhaps an industrial kitchen or eat without having to travel to St.Cioud.We are very a"limited 2nd location" limited to where we can bring them and have lunch and be done in an hour or two. • Additional package and LTL f�eight carriers who could Relocation within Next Three Years service the states of North Dakota,South Dakota,and When asked if they plan to relocate in the next Montana. three years, the following responses were . RubberlUrethane manufacturers. received: • Non union gear manufacturing. Pottery studio,jewelry-making shop,food demo type of �tpansiort Plar�s�DaF ycv plan#o�cio�ate in the�ext th�ee�rears? • business people could enjoy by watching through a large ,,. , � . � � `��' � � ��` ' �` " windowed area(taffy pulling or fudge making perhaps), Answer Options �espq se�erce� ,��R�pa��+aun�� -.�'�'., ..,.s.-.. � weaving shop with large loom where visitors could add Yes �•3°l� � their personal touch,live music venues,petting zoo. No fi8:4�o � 39 Types of businesses people would come to as a Uncertain 26;3"/a. 15 destina6on point. • More retail type businesses. One of the three that noted plans to relocate . Any business with employees. was submitted by an anonymous part . One y • Bakery. noted during a follow-up call that they may not. . Expand industrial business tax base first by annexing They had some frustrations initially. industrial area in our orderly annexation area(Deutz Recruitment of Other Businesses Business Park). The businesses and tax base already Businesses were asked what other types of exists and that area is no longer township by nature. The businesses they would like to see in St. Joseph. return of investment for infrastructure would be much Following are the responses: quicker in this area than providing infrastructure for possible new businesses on the new CSAHZ/CSAH 3 • Auto parts store bypass. • Healthy grab and go food manufacturers. • A larger choice of eating places,Different and unique • Any electrical,plumbing or HVAC wholesaler for me.Any shops and stores.Stores that you cannot fine in nearby manufacturing or industrial business.Any type of towns.Stores that sell items you cannot find just business would benefit the entire community. anywhere. A decent music store,hand crafted items . Any industry that would bring more people to our American made. Any American made products. More community would be beneficial. choice of motels. First Fuel Bank!!!! . A hotel with a water park so people can stay in St.Joe. I • CBBISJU retail,downtown with bookstore items,clothing, know St.Cloud is working to build an aquatics center. I bakery items,etc. think we could beat them to the punch and either get a • Large assembly manufacturer(New Flyer/Park community center that has one-or a hotel. St.Joe has Industries/Geringhof� the potential to be a quaint/trendy town that feeds off of • Manufacturing plants.We don't need any more groceries the St.Cloud area. Until now there have not been any or convenience stores. drive thru restaurants-this wifl be nice to have. When rolling. • More retail downtown,a moderate scale hotel for parents of students to stay at. Hours of Operation • Upscale salons,more specialized retail stores focused on Businesses were asked to report their hours of college style living,but is a hard sell with big box stores a operation including days of the week they are couple miles away...less fast food. open, opening and closing time. Times varied • Office supply,copylprint,shipping,etc. greatly, but a majority reported opening at either • Can we leverage the culturallnatural environmenticollege 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m or 6 p.m. /art/cottage industry scene to attract additional white Several reported they are open until 8 p.m week collarjobs? nights. A total of 62% of the businesses reported they are closed on Sunday and 43% reported they are closed on Saturday. Page 6 of 10 Chamber of Commerce Membership • Convenient Approximately 55% of the businesses reported • Good workforce they are members of the Chamber of . Artisan Commerce. Of those reporting they are not members, 11 or 46% of the non-members • Unique requested information on the Chamber and • Small-town atmosphere membership. . Hometown • Preserving the past,growing for the future Are you a membe�af the Chamber of ` • Friendly neighbors Co�nmerce? • Small town flavor with Big town opportunities • Educated • Growing community • Friendly • Friendly • Vibrant • Scenic • Friendly people gather • Unique • Dedicated Employees Requests for Information on EDA Financing • Public cultural events on campus Programs • Clean The EDA asked businesses if they are • Easy...friendly...shopping interested in information on the Business • Community Farade Architecture Grant Program (BFA) . Small and/or the low interest loan program. Eleven �rowing (11) businesses requested information on the � BFA program and ten (10) requested information • Loyalty on the low interest loan program. • Help direct traffic to the downtown area • Gateway to Avon HiAs Branding • Big small town The survey asked businesses for input on the • Growing future branding of St. Joseph. Thirty (30) . Benefits of being out of fhe big cities businesses provided the following positive . Progressive community phrases to be incorporated into a branding process: • Progressive • Friendly/Neighborly-Good people,good life • Working hard together • Growing • Welcoming • Concemed,caring,community • Loyal customers • Hard working • Walking distance to restaurant,grocery store • Quaint and coffee shop • Active • Safe • Flourishing • Big box products at little box prices.St.Joseph • Central has it all. • Getting better everyday • Locally owned • Open • Friendly • Hard Workers • Destination • Neighborly,interactive,small town • Community • Proximity to the Twin Cities • Promote downtown • Statewide shopping..smack dab in the middle • College Town of MN • Where iYs at • Family town Page 7 of 10 • Diverse • Work with the existing businesses as loosing 2 or 3 • Progress businesses to gain 1 is going backwards...(as in the • Remove old homes in the business district case of Loso's store,the St.Joseph pharmacy&I • That's the place believe a liquor store vs.Coborns • Modern • City should purchase products locally if available. • Proximity to St.Cloud • We need more retail downtown. Or more services. Shop local The BIKE PATH MUST have a clear and un-trafficked � path to downtown and St Ben's. • Inviting . Stop Saint Bens and or Saint John's from running tax • Walk-ability to numerous amenities paying businesses out of business.They need to pay • Friendly their share when it comes to the use of the city • Small Town feel facilifies/maintenance of the roads/fire and police • A little bit of heaven on earth protection.They should not be tax exempt when it • Academic comes to restaurantslrentals/stores etc. I think with the addition of a few new businesses downtown we are EDA Priorities headed in the right direction.Follow thru with some of the ideas from the recent committees for"fixing up" Businesses were asked to rank the following downtown i.e.new sidewalk/pathways/ligh6ng/sitting projects on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the areasla new facelift/ete. most important priority. The top priority Keep it going.Doing welt-get folks to downtown from identified by businesses was business retention � Wobegon Trail. and expansion. The lowest ranking project was . More specialized retail space,bike shops,athletic gear the development of a water feature in the downtown. store promoting local colleges,ice cream parlor,artistic galleries photo,paint,sculpture&pottery. Following is a ranking of each project: • Determine what sets St.Joseph apart from other communities around St.Cloud. Embrace being a 7.54 Retention&expansion of existing businesses University community instead of resisting or trying 6.76 Industriall manufacturing recruitment other go a different direction. 6.71 Retail/commercial recruitment • City support of St.Joseph businesses. 6.29 Downtown master planning • Whatever you do don't raise our property tax,we pay 5.1 Downtown parking plan enough.Work with what you have,not what you wish 4.88 Purchase commercial buildings and prepare sites you had.That will drive business owners away and for business development or open space or shrink your tax base. parking • Make this type of input available as a standing survey 4.22 Install trail/sidewalks and pedestrian ameni6es to right from the city website,to hear from potential link areas to the downtown business people interested in this city as weA. 3.69 Purchase rental houses in downtown and • I have been very happy with the changes in attitude, demolish the business ftiendly atmosphere of the Mayor and City 2.94 Install a water feature in downtown Council. • Don't tax your businesses out of business. • Create St.Joseph as a destination point by Other Comments and Suggestions encouraging smalf businesses with a variety of"fun" • Help existing businesses survive for now. elements both things to do and things to see.Also, Add parking capitalize on the Wobegon Trail by encouraging like- No more low income housing minded businesses/vendors either along the trail or Keep city clean&nice with new buildings very nearby for tourists to enjoy(such as Safe to travel trails to Lake Wobegon Trail from entertainmenUnovelty shops;bike repair&rental;cross � country ski&rollerblade rental).The EDA and beginning of town to end.Sidewalk to farmers market. Chamber need to partner with each other to hire staff • Keep the city safe,clean,and attractive to families. to run the Wobegon Trail Center like a tourism facility We have certain advantages over the Twin Cities (volunteers are not the answer)with set hours(needs where a business down there could be successful here knowledgeable/enthusiastic person promoting all St. and get a better quality of life for their workforce. Joseph has to offer). Page 8 of 10 • Allow fresh ideas to be used in expanding the climate, allow the business owners to incorporate their ideas in making St.Joseph an attractive place to come and visit. • Stop the emphasis on downtown. • Lower taxes by building the base on commercial properties by focusing efforts of business recruitment to the HWY 75 corridor. • Work to make the Orderly Annexation Agreement with the Township more favorable to the city(similar to the Waite ParklSt Joe Township agreement)in order that the city can more easily annex areas whose characteristics are no longer"rural"in nature(industrial park). • This is a great 1st step for the EDA to better know existing businesses in the city. • There is opportunity for"Big Box"retail on the new CSAH 2 to CSAH 3 road that should be built soon if the city moves to annex the area and install sewerlwater. I � have talked to Township officials who have stated that the city has made no move to do so.If that is the case, I am not sure why the city has plans to spend close to a million dollars on a trail system along the new route using Sales Tax Funding.That money might be better spent on improving areas within the city limits. If the city does plan to annex the area,now would be the time to put in sewer/water instead of tearing up new roads or trails in the near future. • Lower property taxes. • Community involvement • St.Joseph is lacking in creating its own identity- improvements such as the Lofts and St.Ben's new building are creating a nice look and feel to the city. I think the remaining open spaces and commercial spots should be developed so they become more of a campus style look or feel.Think TY(beanie babies) and Google headquarters.St.Joe has the opportunity to create pods of buildings that could go beyond the look of a metal shed or strip mall. I do not know how to further encourage this type of building-but we need something that makes us unique.Also-while being in a small town has a nice feel...small minded-ness and the "gossip nature of folks" are not good for local business...new and existing. I think by having industrial business and places like McDonalds, Coboms,CMCU are excellent because they bring in business and provide a ton of tax revenue. LeYs find more of them so we can all benefit. Having the new school down the road is great—I think the population of this area would increase if there would be a high school too. A bigger population should equal more folks spending money locally. Summary prepared by Municipal Development Group,Inc. December 12,2012 Page 9 of 10