Laserfiche WebLink
4. EDA BUSINESS <br />4.01: Guest Speaker — Don Haller, Connexus Energy <br />Management Analyst Brama introduced Mr. Brian Burandt from Connexus Energy. <br />Mr. Burandt presented a diagram showing the Connexus Energy service area and stated he has <br />met with several cities in the territory to discuss available land for a data center and the best <br />place in Anoka County is the former municipal center in terms of land, available fiber, and <br />electrical capabilities. He advised that the planned upgrade of the Crooked Lake to Enterprise <br />Park transmission line will upgrade this line from 69,000 volts to 150,000 volts and will easily <br />serve a data center on this site. He discussed rates, rebates, and reliable electric service and <br />stated that Connexus Energy will provide a discounted rate with a five -year guaranteed discount <br />for the site similar to the discounted rate provided to Vision -Ease. He indicated that rebates are <br />also available including Shovel Ready rebates where Connexus Energy would cover the <br />application expense of $3,000 payable to DEED in order to have the site certified as Shovel <br />Ready. He reviewed the SAIDI electrical interruption index and stated Connexus Energy <br />customers experience far shorter interruptions on average than other utilities across the country, <br />which is important to a data center. He stated that data centers are one of the most highly <br />requested sites and Connexus Energy is excited about this opportunity to partner with the City. <br />4.02: 15153 Nowthen Blvd, Old City Hall Site, Consider Future Development <br />Management Analyst Brama explained this site includes three parcels owned by the City and is <br />worth approximately $1.5 million, is zoned quasi - public, and is surrounded by residential <br />properties. He indicated that at its last meeting, the EDA directed staff to research options for <br />the site and this research was conducted by Mr. Mike Mulrooney. <br />Mr. Mulrooney stated that this site is 20.86 acres, which could accommodate a data center of <br />approximately 250,000 square feet either as a single story facility or multiple buildings. He <br />stated that a data center would provide a significant positive impact to the local tax base and <br />most data centers have an average estimated market value of $120 per square foot or $30 million <br />in the case of a 250,000 square foot facility. He advised that the commercial /industrial property <br />tax impact from this would be approximately $1.19 million annually with the City's share being <br />$268,000; conversely, a residential housing development with 60 -80 homes on the site would <br />have an approximate $15 -20 million market value with tax revenue of approximately $150,000- <br />$200,000 annually with the City's share being $35,000- $50,000. He encouraged the City to also <br />consider the costs associated with serving a residential development versus a <br />commercial /industrial property, e.g., public safety costs. <br />Management . Analyst Brama pointed out that things can change and a 250,000 square foot <br />facility is not guaranteed but represents an estimation of what could happen at full capacity on <br />this site. He also pointed out that a data center is not a high job producer and data center sites are <br />frequently classified as storage units instead of commercial businesses. He stated that funding <br />packages for data centers available in the City include SBA loans, tax abatements, subsidized <br />Economic Development Authority /October 11, 2012 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br />