Date: June 29, 2017
To: Members of the Northfield Economic Development Authority
From: Chris Heineman, Community Planning and Development Director
Nate Carlson, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
Northfield Micropolitan Summit Review
Body
Summary:
On June 7, 2017, the Northfield Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) hosted the Minnesota Real Estate Journal Micropolitan Summit at St. Olaf College. The Micropolitan Summit provided an opportunity for the EDA, HRA and other Northfield businesses to highlight local businesses and feature current and future development opportunities with local and regional realtors, brokers, and investors. The Micropolitan Summit was primarily focused on real estate sector and attendees were buzzing about how the quality of place in Northfield is second-to-none.
The event drew approximately 70 attendees ranging from realtors, investors, local officials and developers. The majority of attendees were from the Northfield area, but there was also a significant showing from the Twin Cities Metro area as well as a few representing national developers. The Summit comprised of four topic-specific panel discussions. These discussions centered on Northfield's economic trends, the historical business climate, commercial/industrial development opportunities and residential development opportunities.
Panelists represented many areas of Northfield - from the Northfield Arts Guild to Aurora Pharmaceutical to Schmidt Homes and Northfield Construction, panelists provided a rounded discussion with many different perspectives. Local businesses also had the opportunity to discuss their perspective on what it is like to do business in Northfield. With panelists from a large corporation seated next to a representative from a smaller organization provided the audience a strong indication how Northfield supports any type of business. The business representatives also offered insights on the o...
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