HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-09 PACKET 07.01.
TO:
Economic Development Authority
FROM:
Christine Costello, Economic Development Director
DATE:
May 3, 2017
RE:
Business Subsidy Policy
Background
As part of the City of Cottage Grove’s Strategic Plan (Plan) to position the City for growth; an
implementation step of the Plan includes the review of the City’s Business Subsidy Policy to
ensure that it reflects the current goals and objectives of the City of Cottage Grove and the Cottage
Grove Economic Development Authority (EDA) as well as conforming to Minnesota Statutes
related to business subsidy law. The City’s business subsidy policy was previously revised in
2003. On March 14th the City’s financial advisor, Ehlers led the EDA through background
information and important criteria considerations when developing a public financing policy.
Discussion
th
At the May 9 EDA meeting Ehlers will assist in identifying consensus on such things as wage
floor, job goals, and any other specifications that may assist in targeting development/economic
priorities for Cottage Grove based upon the compilation of the criteria forms everyone
completed. Attached is a summary of responses from the criteria form that was completed
(hard copy will be given at the meeting). At the meeting our financial consultant from Ehlers,
Stacie Kvilvang will walk the EDA through the summary of comments and where there isn’t
agreement on the criteria Ehlers will assist the EDA in working together to come to a consensus
on what is best for Cottage Grove. The remaining steps in this process are:
TASK DATE
1.A compilation of the homework will identify May 9th EDA Meeting
themes, directions, and options. There will be
(this process will last approx. 2 hours-will be
discussion around this information.
determined on how quickly the group comes
to consensus on items)
2.A draft business subsidy policy will be present June 13th EDA Meeting
that is based on what was included in the
homework and discussed at the previous
meeting. The policy will be reviewed,
discussed, and changes made if necessary.
Reviewing the City’s policy in this manner will allow the City and EDA to accomplish their
economic development objective of continuing to position the City for growth through a clearly
defined business subsidy policy.