BUSINESS RECRUITMENT, MARKETING, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
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he Business Recruitment, Marketing, and Public Relations work group included EDA members Pokorney, Pownell and Teppen. This group’s goals for improving the economic conditions of Northfield were to: »Continue development of print materials targeted at specific development audiences; »Enhance marketing through the City’s website, including full implementation of StrataPoint software; » Use the business park master plan market analysis to develop a citywide business recruitment program; » Improve media relations; » Develop marketing materials with which to solicit infrastructure funding; » Organize an employer recognition event; and » Develop and community video to promote Northfield.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS Three issues of a quarterly EDA newsletter was created to reach a target audience of real estate developers and brokers in the region. While material related to the business park master planning process was posted through a dedicated project website, enhancements to the City’s website (including the addition of StrataPoint software) was not addressed. The work group initiated regular meetings with the local newspaper and radio stations to promote community awareness of EDA work, particularly the public events related to the business park master planning process. Significant efforts to solicit infrastructure funding or to host an employer recognition event were deferred due to economic conditions. Staff continues to monitor state and federal funding programs from which Northfield will eventually seek funds. Blue Moon Productions is nearing completion of a community video highlighting Northfield’s distinctive character. The EDA will use these videos in on-going efforts to make real estate and business developers more aware of the community’s strengths. Other groups involved in the project – including Northfield Hospital and Clinics, Carleton College, St. Olaf College, the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Rebound Enterprises, the Archer House and Northfield Automation Systems – will promote the videos on their own websites.
BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
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he Business Retention and Expansion work group included EDA members Engler and Estenson. This group’s goals for improving the economic conditions of Northfield were to: » Develop a local business database to track business conditions; » Conduct business retention and expansion visits with top ten Northfield employers; and » Facilitate growth and expansion of existing businesses by advocating on their behalf.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS The Business Retention and Expansion work group outsourced its effort to build relationships with existing Northfield employers to the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation. The NDDC conducted a dozen formal employer visits and held a number of downtown forums for building and business owners concerned about economic issues and Northfield community development. The work group outsourced its business recruitment and incubation effort to the Northfield Enterprise Center, provide consulting services to approximately 50 local businesses and 15 individuals. The NEC also provided reviews of the business plans, financial statements and grant proposals of applicant for micro grants and the emergency flood-related loans. Through a small, ongoing investment in the Southeast Minnesota Initiative Fund, the EDA continued to provide support that enabled local businesses to obtain grant funding to explore promising ideas, like the Riverwalk Market Fair. Annual Report 2010
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