2006 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN

The Chisago County HRA-EDA will work to retain and strengthen our existing businesses, & draw new businesses into the county.  To accomplish this the HRA-EDA will: Work with the State Legislature to ‘level the playing field’ with Wisconsin, including the creation of a Border Cities Development Zone. Work with existing businesses on expansion opportunities. Implement the Chisago County’s Business Retention and Enhancement Program.  Create a database of current businesses, including employment information and a tracking system to identify potential expansion opportunities. Explore opportunities to create a business network for manufacturing and service companies. Identify and explore workforce development and training opportunities to enhance our existing businesses. The HRA-EDA will work to expand the commercial/industrial tax base in Chisago County to reduce the tax burden for all its residential taxpayers.  Specifically, the HRA-EDA will:    Market Chisago County to recruit new businesses into the county by targeting and soliciting specific businesses that will compliment and strengthen our existing companies. Market Chisago County to new businesses as a great place to live, work and do business, via  advertisements including: Chisago County HRA-EDA website, Positively Minnesota publications, DEED website, MN Real Estate Journal, etc. Build relationships with builders, realtors, developers and site selection brokers to encourage them to consider Chisago County for new business development opportunities. Work with communities to provide TIF/Tax Abatement assistance to finance infrastructure improvements and offer business incentives to develop existing business parks. Work with cities/townships in the Chisago County to identify, protect and acquire land that is suitable for commercial and industrial development. Educate city administrators and EDA members about business financing programs and land incentives. The HRA-EDA will assist businesses to create new jobs, retain existing jobs and increase wages for residents in the county.  To accomplish this, the HRA-EDA will: Work with existing businesses on expansion opportunities through low interest loans and tax incentives with an emphasis on new recruiting and retaining high-tech, high-wage paying jobs in the county. Identify specific workforce skills and knowledge that our ‘out-commuters’ have and recruit specific businesses that can create jobs to keep these commuters in the county. Create a countywide Technology Revolving Loan Fund  to be used for equipment upgrades, and for improved worker productivity and company competitiveness. Identify areas for a business technology campus with the focus on high-tech businesses.

2006 HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN

To promote and maintain a high quality of life in Chisago County, the HRA-EDA will: Complete construction on the new senior housing development in Rush City. Assist the City of Taylors Falls rehabilitate substandard rental and commercial properties through the Small Cities Development Program for city’s downtown revitalization project.  Assist communities maintain the availability of affordable rental housing in the county for both seniors and younger families through use of state grant and loan programs. Acquire Rush Estates I and II Senior Apartments in Rush City; explore the opportunity to acquire Pinewood Senior Apartments in Harris. Explore opportunities to apply for, and administer Minnesota Housing Finance Agency program funds, Small Cities Development Program funds and other funding sources to construct new housing units, rehabilitate commercial buildings and rehabilitate owner-occupied and rental housing units for communities within the county.

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<see 2007 Economic Development Draft Work Plan>

Copyright © 2002 Chisago County HRA-EDA, MN
Last revised: February 10, 2007

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