2020 Annual Report | Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission

2020 Annual Report Partnerships Do u g la s C oun t y C OVI D Commun i t y Pa rt n e rsh i p City of Alexandria, Douglas County, Alomere Health, Horizon Public Health

Do u g la s C oun t y C om m un i t y Ma rk e t i n g Pa rt n e r ship City of Alexandria, Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Technical & Community College, Explore Alexandria Tourism, Alexandria Public Schools

A Webinar Series

COVID-19: Advancing Our Community Together

People Reached

8

part series

1200+

find all webinar recordings on our website

$3.35 Million CARES Grant Dollars Allocated

2 020 P roj ec ts

T otal P roj ec t C ost

J obs Cr e at e d

Bello Cucina/ Goodneighbor

$30,000,000

30

Douglas Machine

$4,500,000

15

Erickson Plumbing of Minnesota

$600,000

6

Alexandria Airport – Bellanca Building

$300,000

5

Sale of Industrial Land

$300,000

4

Hang Loose MN, LLC

$213,000

1

CRT Machining

$200,000

1

McCarten Design

$65,000

2

F u t u re P la n s

l ivingal exare a.org

1 2 3

Increase Retention & Success of Alexandria Area Businesses Increase the pipeline of workforce talent, provide in-demand business workshops, and increase the use of business loan programs.

Recruit Businesses to Locate Here Create an incentive package, promote the area to prospects, and assist with site selection and financing.

Enhance Our Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Assist 4-6 start-ups each year and assess feasibility of creating business incubator.

Al exand ria Are a E con omi c De ve lopme n t Co m m ission | livinga lexa rea .org | 32 0.76 .4545 | a a edc @ a lex mn .o r g

About us

A l e x a n d r i a a r e a e c o n o m i c develo pm ent Co m m issio n The mission of the AAEDC is promoting prosperity and optimizing opportunity in the Alexandria region.

We do this with support from the Lakes Area Economic Development Authority (LAEDA) by providing fair and equitable resources.

Through joint strategic planning processes between the AAEDC and the LAEDA, core initiatives and strategies are defined to develop a shared vision of the future and to identify goals and objectives against which progress toward achieving that vision can be measured.

The vision of the AAEDC is that the greater Alexandria Area is known as the premier place to call home, build a career, and grow a business. It is a place with leading-edge technology, infrastructure, and unparalleled talent, set within a geographic area of immense natural beauty.

2020 Board of directors

To ensure long-term vitality for economic development efforts in the Alexandria Area, the AAEDC sought legislative authority and received approval in 2003, to create the Lakes Area Economic Development Authority (LAEDA). The LAEDA model is the first of its kind in Minnesota to bring together communities and townships under a formal structure with designated EDA powers.

Joa n i N ie l s o n

J ulie C ritz

N ic ole Klime k

Vick i Jo ds aas

City of Alexandria

Hudson Township

Alexandria Township

Lake Mary Township

President

Vice President

Secretary/Treasurer

J e f f Pat ie n c e

E dd ie Re if

Matth e w Fisc h e r

Todd Po wers

City of Alexandria

LaGrand Township

City of Alexandria

Carlos Township

Lakes area economic d ev elopment a ut hor ity

P OW ERS OF EDA’S • Tax abatement • Ability to enter into contracts • Sale of bonds

The AAEDC works in partnership with the Lakes Area Economic Development Authority to meet their overall goals. The LAEDA was organized in 2004 through special state legislation with approval of the State of MN and the organization’s founding members to formalize and stabilize the funding process of economic development efforts in Douglas County, MN. Because of the long-term nature of many initiatives and investments needed to continue to grow our community, stable funding is crucial to the success of economic development efforts.

• Economic Development

The mission of the LAEDA is to support the mission of the AAEDC by providing fair and equitable resources.

• Participation in limited

Districts • Levying of taxes • Creation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts • Acquisition and sale of real estate and personal property partnerships

Al exand r ia Are a E con omi c De ve lopme n t Co m m ission | liv inga lexa rea .org | 32 0.76 .4545 | a a edc @ a lex mn .o r g