Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/26/2019 - Joint City Council & EDA

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CC Special Work Session Meeting Date: 02/26/2019 Title: Receive Update on Economic Development Marketing Efforts Purpose/Background: Marketing Materials Update City Staff has been working with WSB to update City marketing materials per the attached contract. Included in this update will be a Community Profile, Infographics, regional maps, site maps, interactive PDFs, utilization of Trade Area data, a COR map update. All of which can be incorporated into presenations that can be given to business prospects. Staff anticipates a draft to be ready for Review by the EDA at its March meeting. Staff will provide an overview of existing marketing materials and webpage. Staff will also highlight the new webpage for the Anoka County Regional Economic Development Partnership. International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Proposal: Approve $3,000 expenditure to allow the Economic Development Manager to attend the annual Recon event held by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). This event is the largest gathering of retailers, commercial end users and site selectors in the nation. The City of Ramsey is approaching the 30,000 popluation threshold which can be significant for certain national retailers and restaurants. One of the biggest conferences with site selectors from these retailers and restaurants is held in Las Vegas in May each year. Mr. Rob Hardy has executed a PA to develop the three (3) plus acres at the southwest corner of Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard and plans to attend this conference. Mr. Hardy will be attending this conference to market this project. A coordinated approach between the City and Mr. Hardy could prove to be very effective and garnering interest, developing relationships and securing tenants for both his site and others within the community. Staff believes that there is sufficient feedback from the community and residents to enhance our retail recruitment efforts to justify this investment. Staff will be bringing forth a proposal to the EDA on March 14th for consideration but thought that input from the EDA and City Council at this time would be helpful. Timeframe: 10 minutes. Funding Source: Marketing Material Update Work Order has been already been approved by the EDA and funded by the EDA Budget/Levy. ICSC will be discussed at March EDA Meeting but if it is decided to move forward it would be anticipated to come out of the EDA marketing budget line. Responsible Party(ies): Economic Development Manager Outcome: