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Economic Development Manager Sullivan presented the staff report. <br />Member Riley stated that he would like to hear from the applicant. <br />Frank Serna, applicant, stated that he has been working with staff for the past year. He stated that <br />he has been in business since 2000 and is currently located in Ham Lake. He stated that he has <br />had a hard time finding a property that would work for his business and believes that this would <br />be a good location. He stated that he owns four businesses and is working to grow the windows <br />and doors business and provided additional details on the Weathershield products they will <br />highlight in the showroom. <br />Member Steffen asked the number of employees. <br />Mr. Serna replied that he did have 17 employees at one time but that was reduced to seven and <br />now down to three. He stated that he would look to bring in ten employees with the expanded <br />location in Ramsey. <br />Member Olson thanked him for his service and stated that it sounds like this is well thought out <br />and he is excited about it. <br />Chairperson Cords asked if all the businesses would be run out of this location. <br />Mr. Serna replied that two of his businesses are home -based. He stated that the general contracting <br />company that he owns is kept to a minimum, with 12 customers perhaps per year. He provided <br />background information on how his general contracting business led to him starting the window <br />and door business. <br />Chairperson Cords commented that it sounds like a good opportunity and a good fit for Ramsey. <br />Member Johnson commented that she knows the applicant's wife and asked if she should abstain <br />from voting. She confirmed that it is just a personal relationship. <br />Member Riley commented that because it is just a personal relationship, he did not believe she <br />would need to recuse herself. <br />Member Steffen stated that this will be a great project for Highway 10, and he will be excited to <br />never again call this property the old bookstore. <br />Member Riley asked if there have been negotiations on the property price. <br />Economic Development Manager Sullivan stated that the hardest part was finding a property that <br />would be suitable for the use. He stated that the offer provided by the applicant was fair and <br />therefore he did not push back. He stated that the asking price was $4 per square foot, while the <br />offer was around $3 per square foot in addition to what this development would bring to the site. <br />He noted that this site would have great visibility from Highway 10. <br />Economic Development Authority/ September 9, 2021 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />