EDA Recap2017:
I was appointed to the EDA in January 2017.
Reviewed financial incentive programs oƯered by Forest Lake and Lindstrom as well as a
comparison of MN vs WI burdens
Conducted a Comp Plan “Pop up Meeting” to gather feedback
Reviewed the Washington County CDA Plan
For business development to happen in Scandia several factors need to be addressed:
1. A business-friendly Comp Plan
2. High Speed Internet
3. Waste treatment
4. City water
5. Appropriate zoning
Most of these are also important for residential development
MN DOT Landscape plan discussion
Investigated Senior housing in the area and Washington County housing projects
Began investigating the status of highspeed internet in Sandia
Conducted listening sessions to hear from the public about what the city could do to make
businesses more successful.
(Internet, aƯordable housing to provide workers, high taxes, water/sewer, sign regulations,
access to parking, and zoning limitations).
Initiated quarterly Business Breakfast meetings
2018:
Commissioned the UofM to perform a Tourism study in January
Met with Cycling Scandia to review a survey they conducted of cyclists visiting Scandia
Conducted our first Business Breakfast Meeting
Discussed the “Open for Business” program in Washington County
Presented the Façade Improvement Program
Discussed the EDA workplan for input to the Comp Plan discussions
Began discussing a Community Sewer project on the property next to the fire station and
conducting a drain field study
Internet Focus Group presented plans for conducting a Feasibility Study and a Community
Survey
Reviewed results from the Internet Focus Group
The feasibility study indicated running fiber to every home and business in Scandia would
cost every household $2,459 with a return of $12,514 increase in home value. However,
this would have required the city to finance the $13.4M project.
Discussed what the term Agritourism means
Developed an RPF to send to Internet Service Providers to bid on a project to expand
internet to every home and business in Scandia
Drafted a 3-yerar workplan
2019:
Discussed financing option to fund potential internet expansion if that would be needed
Discussed what a SWOT analysis of the city might look like
Discussed a “Business Visitation Program” to collect information about local businesses
and what they thought the EDA could do to help them
Discussed the status of Internet RFP
Discussed Bills at the state that might help the city fund expansion (Subordinate Service
District, DEED Broadband Grant Program)
Completed SWOT Analysis (result at 2-11-19 meeting)
Discussed proposal for Community Water Study in the same area as the sewer study was
completed in
Conducted second Business Breakfast Meeting
Discussed which Internet RFP responses would be asked to present proposals in person
UofM Presented their Tourism Report
Finalized Business Visitation Survey and began outreach
2020:
Reviewed results for the Community Water Study
Began discussion of conducting Water and Wastewater Feasibility Studies to determine the
cost per unit to provide both services
Decided to hold Quarterly Business Breakfast meetings
Drafted a letter of support for the Gateway Trail Connection in Scandia
Review the Washington County Small Business Relief Grant Program
2021:
Resigned on January 10th