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6. Scandia EDA Economic Development Work Plan 9 18 18Draft 9/18/2018 1 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. Draft 9/18/2018 2 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 Draft 9/18/2018 3 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 Draft 9/18/2018 4 Attachment A Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Stand-in-the-Way Group Discussion Draft 9/18/2018 5