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Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Miller. <br /> <br />BOARD BUSINESS <br /> <br />Discussion With Paul Fournier (Iron Works Develop~Bt <br /> Corporation) Regardin~ Development Of City's Industrial. Area: <br /> <br />Mr. Paul Fournier was present and gave a brief summary of his more than 20 <br />years experience in the field of marketing, marketing research, planning and <br />development, specializing in new business start-ups. Mr. Fournier stated that <br />one very important part of his work was to interact with the community. ~e was <br />also active in founding and directing the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce, <br />the New Brighton Chamber of Commerce and New Brighton's Star City Program. Mr. <br />Fournier stated that attaining star city designation is a formidable task that <br />requires the gathering and the packaging of a lot of information in a useful <br />manner. It is a big project for volunteers to handle even with resources <br />available. Mr. Fournier stated that he sees Ramsey as a choice area for <br />economic growth, industrial, in particular. Once star city tools are in place, <br />you need somebody to work them; tools you cannot use because you do not have a <br />full time effort are wasted tools. There has to be a commitment of money or <br />people to shift star city efforts into tangible results. Development will not <br />happen automatically; you need an active marketing effort. <br /> <br />Mr. Hardin noted that the Ramsey Economic Development Commission and Company <br />are already taking steps to request funding for star city tasks and a person to <br />promote economic development. <br /> <br />Mr. Fournier also cautioned against expecting instantaneous success immediately <br />after attaining Star City designation; expect limited success in the first 12- <br />18 month period and don't look for major projects for 2-3 years. Ramsey is <br />unique -- sewer and water and star city status combined with a good airport <br />will set the rate at which Ramsey attracts development. <br /> <br />Mr. Alsdurf stated that Ramsey better have it's development guidelines and <br />directions in place because the large development corporations are coming to <br />the northern area and they have the sophisticated staff to get what they want. <br /> <br />Mr. Fournier stated that Ironworks made a basic proposal to Council for an <br />incubator facility on September 30; response was that Councilmember DeLuca will <br />work with the firm and staff to refine the proposal. It is hoped that proposal <br />will be before Council again on October 14. Ironworks has another project in <br />mind; it will require a commitment from the City by November 1 in the form of a <br />letter of intent; if not, the project will go elsewhere. Mr. Fournier noted <br />that another asset to Ramsey is the proximity of the Vo Tech; might be <br />reasonable to require all users of the incubator facility to join the business <br />management program at that facility. <br /> <br />Mr. Alsdurf added that the Vo Tech is also a very good employee source. <br /> <br />Mr. Fournier stated that another item of concern brought to Council's attention <br />at the September 30 meeting was enforcement of ordinances in terms of building <br />quality. <br /> <br />October 9, 1986 <br /> <br />Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />