EDA Meeting Date: March 24, 2025
To: Members of the Economic Development Authority
From: Emery John, Community Development Program Associate
Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Title
Connecting Business and Community Update
Body
Action Requested:
No action requested at this time.
Summary Report:
City staff and volunteers from the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Downtown Northfield, and elected officials completed Step 1 of the Connecting Business and Community Program, consisting of designing a Northfield specific interview guide, organizing volunteers, and conducting business interviews. We interviewed 53 different Northfield organizations, including all three of the largest employers in the city, and submitted all interviews to Extension. Extension staff are now working to tabulate the data.
Step 2 begins with a research review meeting, where a group of staff will meet with experts at U of M Extension to discuss the analysis, reports, and potential strategies. We will then host a retreat in Northfield with our partners to identify priorities based on the completed analysis and reports. From there, we can identify strategic initiatives. That then launches Step 3, which will be an iterative process of implementing a series of strategic initiatives. The EDA and partners will be learning about that process in the coming months. Staff anticipates that the process will naturally align with the in-process strategic plan efforts led by City Council and Administration and the in-process comprehensive plan.
The University of MN Extension noted that we are the first city in five years to complete more than 25 interviews and are one of the highest performing in terms of interview completion in the past decade. We met the original goal to complete between 50 and 60 interviews. The number of interviews conducted speaks to the interest in the business community to share their concerns and triumphs with others, especially those involved with shaping the strategic priorities of the EDA. Community Development staff hopes to capitalize on that interest to complete more interviews on an ongoing basis to further inform the research compiled by Extension staff.
Alternative Options:
N/A
Financial Impacts:
The EDA budgeted $9,500 to participate in the UofM Extension program, in addition to the staff time dedicated to the project.
Implementing recommendations may require more staff time or financial capital, however, the potential benefits of strengthening and deepening existing relationships and building new relationships with the business community - including non-profits - is not measurable.
Using the information in the reports to implement strategies is likely to lead to economic opportunity, which may include using EDA funds.
Tentative Timelines:
April 2025 - Research review meeting
June 2025 - Strategic retreat
September 2025 - Step 3 “Commencement Meeting” (including Summary Report)
Winter 2025-2026 - Strategic Initiative Task Forces (ongoing)