Tuesday, the board approved a contract with Springsted Inc. to work with the county to create a County Economic Development Strategic Plan.

 

Nine firms responded to the county’s request for proposal released Dec. 12. Interviews were conducted with local city economic development staff to gather what information they need from the county to help their efforts.

 

Four finalists were chosen: Springsted, Ehlers & Associates, Gary Drown & Associates, and Economic Development Services. The finalists were interviewed by a committee consisting of Administrator Steve Taylor, Assessor Dan Weber and Public Works Director John Menter. Springsted was chosen as the top candidate.

 

During the interview process it was decided the county needed to create a county-wide strategic plan for economic development. Tuesday, members of the board agreed they needed a plan.

 

Commissioner Ewald Petersen said he recently attended a meeting of the Greater MSP, a economic development partnership and saw how other areas are working to promote development and retain businesses. He believed cities in Sherburne County weren’t doing it as well.

 

“Chambers of commerce in some areas do a good job of visiting businesses,” he said. “In Sherburne County we only have active chambers in Princeton and Elk River who are doing that.”

 

Weber said that will be a priority in the county’s strategic plan. 

 

“That’s  one of the goals and outcomes of the strategic plan,” he said. “It’s a community-wide plan where we work with the cities and develop a plan so everyone is getting covered.”

 

Administrator Steve Taylor said gathering data will be one of the first steps of the plan. When Springsted developed a plan in Washington County, they went to the UM Extension Office for information.

 

“They compile demographic and economic data on a county by county basis,” said Taylor. “I see a lot of time up-front collecting this data, compiling it and showing it to the consultants.”

 

Taylor agreed that connecting with all economic development groups in the county was a priority. 

 

“Part of the goal here is to not just include the city EDA folk but also the chambers of commerce and the other stakeholders that are involved,” he said. “Obviously, the business community that are members of the chamber, that’s a critical constituent group we want to bring into the fold here.”

 

Petersen said visits to local businesses to hear their needs is vital to keeping businesses in the county. He said he was informed last week that another business is leaving Big Lake.

 

“Shade Tree is closing,” he said.

 

Commissioner John Riebel, who owns True Value Hardware in Becker, agreed because a business in Becker has decided to leave.

 

“I lost my biggest customer the other day, Advanced Extrusion,” he said. 

 

Commissioner Rachel Leonard said the Zimmerman area is also losing businesses.

 

“I think it’s pervasive,” she said.

 

The commissioners all agreed it was important to attract and keep businesses in the county. Each wanted to take part when meetings were held with Springsted.

 

Weber said the contract with Springsted includes four meetings at a total cost not to exceed $9,000.

 

The goal is to have a strategic plan developed by April.