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businesses. The message about unification of cities within Anoka County to work together resonated. The creation of Anoka County Partners will help Anoka County improve its image as well as create an open forum for participating cities to discuss important issues. The example used in Mr. Piggott,s presentation of a large company trying to find a location in another Anoka County city and then leaving to another county was very unfortunate. If cities had communicated with each other they might have been able to satisfy the greater good of Anoka County and found another location for that business in Anoka County. The Partnership intends on creating that channel of communication as well as providing a forum to initiate activity that will help market Anoka County as well as improve its image. The EDA has been provided with a draft of a business plan for partnership with Anoka County Partners. Membership dues would be in the amount of $10,020.00. David Piggott, Executive Director of Anoka County Partners, is present to answer any questions of the Board. Chairperson Riley asked if Anoka County Partners is at the beginning stages of forming the partnership. David Piggott, Executive Director of Anoka County Partners, responded in the affirmative. He explained in the past the County has contributed $50,000 per year out of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. This year the County will contribute up to $100,000 in funding. Anoka County Partners is looking at funding contributions at 1/3 county, 1/3 municipal, and I/3 private sector. The Ramsey EDA is the first group that Anoka County Partners has made a formal proposal to. However, they have spoken with the cities of Blaine, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Andover, Lino Lakes, and has a meeting scheduled with Columbus Township the week after next. Anoka County Partners would like investments to be effective July 1, 2006 to coincide with the partnership's fiscal year. Member Gromberg asked what private businesses will be involved with the partnership. Mr. Piggott replied checks have been received from some of the banks in the County, and commitments from others. In addition, the County requested Anoka County Partners improve their image, so they have moved to the Northeast Bank Building in Coon Rapids, which is subsidizing their rent. Anoka County Parmers has also designed new logos. Next in line they will contact some of the major employers in the County, real estate developers, the construction community, and utilities. Member LeTourneau inquired about the EDA's involvement with Anoka County Partners and how they would be kept in the loop with their participation. Mr. Piggott replied any community that becomes a member will be on the Board of Directors, and there would also be quarterly meetings with Economic Development Staff. The host community will provide a presentation about what is going on in their area, so all of the communities are aware what is happening in the communities around them. The County and DEED are also invited to attend these meetings. With the communities working together, hopefully the various communities will not be competing for the same dollars on similar projects. There will be a webpage and database designed with all of the buildings and sites for the region. All of the Community Development Directors from each community will see the projects that come into Anoka County Partners. Economic Development Coordinator Sullivan explained an important factor is that he would not be required to open each contact to every city in the County. He would have a period of time to negotiate with the contact, and if the plan is not going through he would submit it to Anoka Economic Development Authority / February 8, 2006 Page 2 of 8 2