HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1a Business Inquiry 4-8-22
Business/Development Inquiry
To: Honorable Mayor Bailey and EDA Members
From: Gretchen Larson, Economic Development Director
Jaime Mann, Assistant to the City Administrator
Date: April 8, 2022
Activites that have taken place in the community that may have a potential impact on economic
development activity:
Discussion Staff Action
Meeting, March 16
Director Larson met with the owners of Salons by JC and
provided them a list of community agencies that assist with
marketing and workforce issues. We also provided stats and
other information on the city and surrounding area.
Meeting, March 18 Director Larson and Assistant Mann met with Laurie Levine,
Executive Director of the Chamber, to discuss economic
development activity in the City.
Meeting, March 18
Director Larson met at the 2.6-acre City owned site on W.
Point Douglas Drive to discuss development options. There is
a business interested in purchasing the property. Staff
followed up with the broker representing the business to
request that they provide a site plan for review before
additional meetings will be considered. The property has
development challenges given the City utilities located on the
property.
Meeting, March 25 Director Larson attended a virtual meeting with Morgan Hill of
Greater MSP and a business looking at sites in the City
industrial park. The business is seeking to purchase
approximately 14 acres to build a manufacturing facility. A
locational decision is expected in late summer.
Meeting, March 29 City Administrator Levitt and Assistant Mann attended a sales
meeting with Coldwell Banker’s Woodbury office. City
Administrator Levitt presented an update on things happening
in Cottage Grove to a group of realtors for their sales
meeting. The presentation included information on the
industrial, commercial/retail, and residential growth that is
happening in Cottage Grove.
Business Event, March 30
The first Business Over Breakfast event took place on
Wednesday, March 30 at River Oaks Golf Course. The event
not only allowed the City to reconnect with the businesses in
the business park but to also provided the businesses an
opportunity to update each other on their various projects.
The Mayor, Councilmember Dennis, City Administrator Levitt
and Director Burfeind provided an update on the County
Road 19A and 100th Street improvements and discussed the
construction of a bridge over the railroad to create a grade-
separated crossing. Director Larson provided businesses
draft letters of support for their consideration. A reminder to
return the letters was sent on April 8. The grant application is
due April 14.
Closing, March 30 The closing was completed on the land sale to Renewal by
Andersen. They are well in to the planning and approval
process for their 350,000 square foot addition.
Meeting, April 1 City Administrator Levitt, Director Larson, and Assistant Mann
participated in a meeting with Wash. Co. CDA to discuss a
rescheduling of the May 12 East Metro Development Summit.
Upon conclusion of the discussions, it was decided that doing
the events on a bi-annual basis made the most sense.
Meeting April 6 Staff met with Trellis who is proposing to build a senior
affordable housing project at 7601 76th Street. City
Administrator Levitt provided a letter of support to Trellis for
the Washington County CDA GROW Program grant request
they are submitting. Trellis will present their project at the
Council workshop on April 20.
Meeting, April 6 Assistant Mann met with the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of
Commerce, Community Showcase committee and attended
the planning meeting.
Training, April 6 Director Larson, Assistant Mann, and Administrative
Specialist Bengtson attend the Chamber Showcase Training
at River Oaks Golf Course