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Background: <br />In 2007 -8, the EDA was asked to increase its activity in the Retail /Service sector of the <br />community. As part of that initiative the EDA became more involved with the Town Center and <br />Sunfish Commons signage. Staff has been contacted by a member of the business community <br />about doing a business expo for retail /service businesses. Both Staff and Jeff Bulger, from <br />Culligan Water, have been contacting Ramsey businesses to see if there is any interest in doing <br />an expo of some sort over the past month. The response has been overwhelming in support of <br />doing an event that could help market Ramsey businesses to Ramsey residents. <br />Staff envisions a set -up similar to a trade show that would allow businesses to rent a space for a <br />nominal fee. The EDA would have access to the Ramsey Municipal Center and has contacted <br />the Fountains of Ramsey for additional space if needed. Costs associated with this event could <br />include: food, advertising, invitations and venue rental. Staff believes that some of these costs <br />could be solicited by the business community for the business community. This could include <br />signage, advertising, postage and a portion of the food. Other costs such as rental, postage and <br />food could be absorbed by the EDA. The nominal fee ($25 -50) collected for space at the event <br />could help offset a portion of the costs incurred. <br />Staff envisions an event from 9 -2 on a Saturday late March to early April. Currently the <br />Fountains of Ramsey has March 28th available (April 5 is not). There are a few events that we <br />need to make sure that we do no overlap. The North Suburban Home Show is on March 21 and <br />the Environmental Expo is on April 25'. This is an excellent opportunity to help our Ramsey <br />businesses succeed during what might be considered a tough economy. Staff is looking for the <br />EDA to support this event and to allocate funds to move this event forward. <br />Funding Source: <br />EDA Levy / Private business contributions <br />Recommendation: <br />Select March 28, 2009 as the date for the 2009 Business Expo and authorize $ to help <br />fund the event. <br />EDA Action: <br />2009 BUSINESS EXPO <br />By: Sean Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator <br />Case # 2 <br />Motion to select March 28, 2009 as the date for the 2009 Business Expo and authorize $ <br />to help fund the event. <br />EDA:01.08.09 <br />13 <br />