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<br />Case # 1 <br /> <br />ANOKA COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT <br />AUTHORITY (ACHRA) UPDATE <br />By: Sean M. Sullivan, Economic Development Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />On July 31 5t the City Council held a work session to discuss the expanded powers of the <br />ACHRA. The ACHRA now has the powers of and EDA and is able to participate in economic <br />development projects. Karen Skepper, from the County Community Development Department, <br />outlined the process that the county went through to expand the ACHRA's powers and explained <br />why the powers where expanded. The results of a study conducted by Springsted identified <br />gaps in the economic development programs of some city's and townships throughout Anoka <br />County. Items identified in the Gap analysis included: <br /> <br />1. Ability to buy property with eminent domain has changed. <br />2. Limited fmancial resources dedicated to Economic Development <br />3. Lack of staff dedicated to ED activities who have expertise and knowledge of ED tools. <br />4. Organization structure for sharing information. <br />5. Coordinated approach to improving the "image" of Anoka County. <br />6. Feasibility study of fiber optics infrastructure. <br />7. Availability of up to date demographic data and projections. <br />8. Central point of contact for businesses considering locating in Anoka County. <br />9. Ability to provide economic development services to communities that currently don't have them. <br /> <br />In looking at the identified gaps it appears as if Ramsey is well positioned compared to some <br />other cities locate in Anoka County. Items numbered 4,5,7,8 were those that Anoka Partners was <br />trying to address through the website and Mr. Piggott's work. All ofthe other items aside from <br />the Fiber Optics are currently being done by our EDA. We are a member with Anoka Partners <br />though the end of 2007 and at this point deciding to opt in to the economic development portion <br />of the ACHRA would be a duplication of services. During the Work Session, the City Council <br />expressed concern about the additional tax burden to tour residents and businesses. They were <br />also concerned about a duplication of services and wanted to see a more detailed work Plan. <br />Attached to this case is a copy of the work session case and the report from Springsted. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Recommend to City Council to adopt a resolution to not opt-in to the economic development <br />component of the ACHRA. <br /> <br />EDA Action: <br /> <br />Motion to recommend to City Council to adopt a resolution to not opt in to the economic . <br />development component of the ACHRA. <br /> <br />EDA: 8.09.07 <br /> <br />9 <br />