6. Working draft of 3-year Work Plan 12 17 18Draft 12/17/2018
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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: Identify existing agricultural businesses
Action Step: Review development code to identify barriers to new business creation or
expansion
Action Step: Evaluate options for education, direct sales and entertainment
Action Step: Identify and promote direct sale and on-farm opportunities
Action Step: Identify programs to assist 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: 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: Identify opportunities to work with businesses to promote existing attractions.
Action Step: Focus resources on future tourism initiatives, including those identified in the
tourism 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: All costs related to the tourism assessment paid in 2018.
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3. Explore and Promote High Speed Broadband
Action Step: Solicit proposals for vendors to construct, maintain, and operate a broadband
network
Action Step: Identify vendor and technology to be utilized for broadband network
Action Step: City staff with the assistance of CDA staff will explore grant opportunities to
implement high speed broadband in Scandia.
Deliverables: Request for proposals by end of 1st quarter of 2019. Agreement with vendor by
3rd quarter of 2019. Submittal for DEED or other grants by end of 3rd quarter of 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
4. Promote Life-cycle Housing Opportunities
Action Step: Based on 2040 Comprehensive Plan 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: EDA to review existing zoning and 2040 Comprehensive Plan and make
recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding changes that would facilitate the
development of life-cycle 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.
Deliverables: The creation of the site options and funding resource list will begin in 1st quarter
of 2019 based on submittal to the Metropolitan Council. The lists will be maintained on an
ongoing basis. Review of existing zoning and 2040 Comprehensive Plan to begin in 2nd quarter
of 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
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
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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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