Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 05/10/2004

Home

COMMUNITY CONNECTION AWARD By: Megan Wald, Associate Planner Background: Staff and the EDA have been discussing the initiation of a community pride award for several months. Staff' was directed to provide ideas related to criteria for the community pride award and compare the criteria to standards used to determine the Business of the Year. Observations: Staff is proposing to name the award Community Connection and apply the following criteria for electing a receipt of the Community Connection Award: 1. Supports/donates to Ramsey's local event: Happy Days, Safety Camp,. Business Appreciation Day, Environmental Expo., and National Night Out. 2. Participates in local organizations: Ramsey Rotary, Ramsey Lions, Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce. 3. Promotes City of Ramsey on business letterhead' business vehicles, and equipment, and advertising. 4. Supports the local school district and related programs. it would seem appropriate that a committee be assembled that is knowledgeable about what businesses are active participates in the mentioned above groups and events. Staff is suggesting a representative from the klappy Days Committee, a staff person from the police department (since they head the National Night Out and Safety Camp events), a person from EDA, a representative from the Ramsey Rotary, and/or from the Ramsey Lions Club. This committee would make the nomination and the EDA could then officially elect the business. Staff would suggest that the Community Connection Award be presented during a fall Business Network Meeting. Staff was also asked to compare the criteria used to determine the Business of the Year recipient. The following criteria has been used in the past: 1. Been involved in all aspects of the community. 2. Provided fbr the maintenance or expansion of the commercial/industrial tax base of the community through the. development of new business ventures or the retention or expansion of existing business. 3. Expanded or retained the employment base of the communityl 4. Been a positive influence on the community. It appears that there is little overlap in the proposed criteria for the Community Connection Award vs. the Community Connection Award. Staff would suggest adding a statement to the Business of the Year criteria stating that the focus 'of this award is the business aspect and business relations (i.e. employee base, tax generator, high quality business, expansions and continued retention). Therefore the Community Connection Award would focus on a businesses participation in the community. Recommendation: Staff would like to gain feedback regarding the proposed criteria and process for awarding Community Connection Award. [f the EDA is inclined to accept the criteria (with'modifications if desired), staff will- then begin to contact appropriate people to serve on the committee and schedule a meeting.to discuss the first potential business recipient. The EDA may also want to elect a representative to participate on. the committee. Et)A: