6. Scandia EDA Economic Development Work Plan 9 18 18Draft 9/18/2018
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2018 – 2020
Scandia EDA
Economic Development Work Plan
Scandia EDA Mission
The mission of the Scandia Economic Development Authority (EDA) is to strive to enhance
Scandia’s long-term prosperity and enrich the quality of life of residents by retaining and
growing existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and expanding life-cycle housing
opportunities for residents.
Goals
1. Explore Agricultural Economic Development Opportunities
2. Explore Tourism Economic Development Opportunities
3. Explore and Promote High Speed Broadband
4. Promote Life-cycle Housing
5. Explore Options for a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Planning Process
The purpose of this document is to serve as the Scandia EDA 2018 Economic Development
Strategic Plan with a planning horizon through 2020.
Strengths, Opportunities and Challenges
To assist in the EDA’s discussion and to help achieve the goals and action steps identified within
this plan, a summary of strengths, opportunities and challenges is included as Attachment A.
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Actions
1. Explore Agricultural Economic Development Opportunities
Action Step: Promote existing agricultural businesses
Action Step: Identify barriers to new business creation
Action Step: Evaluate options for education, direct sales and entertainment
Action Step: Identify and promote direct sale and on-farm opportunities
Action Step: Assisting existing agriculture- and forestry-based businesses to grow & succeed
Action Step: Identifying and creating opportunities for new business ventures;
Deliverables: The EDA will begin exploring opportunities in the first quarter of 2019 and be
completed by December 31, 2019.
Program Cost: TBD.
2. Explore Tourism Economic Development Opportunities
Action Step: The EDA will conduct and complete a U of M Extension tourism assessment
study
Action Step: Upon completion of the tourism assessment study, the EDA will review and make
recommendations on the implementation on the action steps of the study
Action Step: Promote existing attractions.
Action Step: Focus resources on future tourism initiatives, including those identified in the
touirm assessment study
Deliverables: The EDA will review the tourism assessment begin exploring opportunities in the
first quarter of 2019 and be completed by December 31, 2019.
Program Cost: $3,500 cost for the remainder of the assessment in the 2019 budget.
3. Explore and Promote High Speed Broadband
Action Step: City staff with the assistance of CDA staff will undertake a survey to determine
residents and business preferences for broadband options
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Action Step: City staff with the assistance of CDA staff will explore grant opportunities to
improve the availability of highspeed broadband in Scandia.
Deliverables:
Program Costs: TBD
4. Promote Life-cycle Housing Opportunities
Action Step: The EDA will create and maintain a current list of potential sites and funding
resources to promote and market new opportunities for lifecycle housing.
Action Step: City staff along with CDA staff and the EDA will meet with developers to explore
options and interest to develop new housing.
Action Step: EDA to review existing zoning and 2040 Comprehensive Plan and make
recommendation to the Planning Commission regarding changes that would facilitate the
development of life-cycle housing.
Deliverables: The creation of the site options and funding resource list will begin immediately
(fourth quarter of 2018) and will be maintained on an ongoing basis.
5. Explore Options for a B, R&E Visitation Program
Action Step: The City and CDA staff will research and explore options for a business retention
and expansion program. City staff with the assistance of CDA staff will evaluate costs, timing,
create a business survey and discuss the potential interview process and overall program
operations. Recommendations will be brought to the EDA for consideration, input and
discussion.
Action Step: The Scandia EDA will explore developing a business appreciation certificate
program to recognize, show our appreciation and highlight local businesses and employers on a
quarterly basis at regularly scheduled EDA Board meetings.
Deliverables: City staff will be providing options to EDA for discussion and consideration. This
will begin in the second quarter of 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
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Attachment A
Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses,
Stand-in-the-Way Group Discussion
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