6.a Scandia EDA Economic Development Work Plan 01 14 192018 – 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
Explore Agricultural Economic Development Opportunities
Explore Tourism Economic Development Opportunities
Explore and Promote High Speed Broadband
Promote Life-cycle Housing
Explore Options for a Business Retention and Expansion Program
Explore Opportunities for New Businesses
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.
Actions
1. Explore Agricultural Economic Development Opportunities
Action Step: Identify existing agricultural businesses
Action Step: Make outreach to agricultural businesses to identify issues and needs
Action Step: Identify programs to increase awareness and promotion of agricultural businesses
Deliverables: The EDA will begin compiling a listing Scandia-based agricultural businesses in the first quarter of 2019 and initiate outreach efforts 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.
3. Explore and Promote High Speed Broadband
Action Step: Solicit proposals for vendors to construct, maintain, and operate a broadband network
Action Step: City staff with the assistance of CDA staff will explore grant and legislative opportunities to help fund the implementation of high speed broadband in Scandia.
Deliverables: Request for proposals by end of 1st quarter of 2019. Legislative efforts for funding during the 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 2nd 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 3nd quarter of 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
5. Explore Options for a Business Retention & Expansion Program
Action Step: The City and CDA staff will research and explore options for an informal business contact program and survey instrument that can be used by staff or EDA Board
Action Step: The Scandia EDA Board and staff will make site visits to existing businesses
Deliverables: City and CDA staff will be provide survey to EDA for discussion and consideration. This will begin in the 1st of 2019. Site visits to occur throughout 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
6. Explore Opportunities for New Businesses
Action Step: The City staff will compile information on available sites for new businesses in Scandia
Action Step: The City and CDA staff will compile information on programs to support new businesses
Action Step: EDA to review existing zoning and 2040 Comprehensive Plan and make recommendations to the Planning Commission regarding changes that would facilitate the ability to attract
new businesses.
Deliverables: City and CDA staff will be provide survey to EDA for discussion and consideration. This will begin in the 1st of 2019. Site visits to occur throughout 2019.
Program Costs: TBD
Attachment A
Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Stand-in-the-Way Group Discussion