Strategic plan for economic development in 2004 announced
Posted: 2/6/04
by John Sucansky
Thisweek Newspapers
The four goals comprising the strategic plan for the city's Economic Development Commission were announced to the Lakeville City Council at its Feb. 2 regular meeting.
Continuing to inform the residents of the benefits of commercial/industrial development, supporting major transportation facilities in the city, encouraging the investigation of critical business infrastructure and encouraging a balance between commercial/industrial and residential tax base are the four goals of the commission in 2004.
Community and Economic Development Director David Olson said in addition to these new goals, several previous activities will continue, including distribution, collection and tracking of Development Project Feedback Surveys and customer service training for city employees.
To attain these goals, city staff will increase the utilization of Cable Channel 16 and the city's Web site to provide additional information on new commercial and industrial development occurring in the community. This effort began in 2003 and will be continued throughout this year.
In regard to supporting major transportation facilities, the city will support the implementation of the upgrade of the interchanges at county roads 50, 60 and 70. The EDC will also monitor and offer input when appropriate on a number of other transportation planning studies that will be pursued in 2004, including the Dakota County 2025 Transportation Plan, the I-35 Bus Rapid Transit Study, the Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Study and the implementation of the East-West Corridor Study.
To achieve the investigation of critical business infrastructure, the EDC will assist the current fixed-base operator at Airlake Airport in the implementation of their proposed plan to expand the commercial hanger facilities at the airport. The EDC and city staff will also need to monitor the Metropolitan Council's effort to complete a Regional Wastewater System Plan Update that will include a study of the potential future Empire Wastewater Treatment Plant service area. According to Olson's memo to the council, the location of future metropolitan interceptor sewer lines could impact the timing of future commercial and industrial development along the County Road 70 corridor.
To accomplish its fourth goal, the EDC will be continuing the Airlake Newsletter and developing ways in which to market the city using its recent Pat Summerall Productions video which promotes Lakeville as one of the Best Managed Small Cities.
In August or September of 2004, city staff and the EDC members will begin the process of preparing a new 2005-2007 Strategic Plan for Economic Development. It is expected that an outside facilitator will be hired to assist in this process.
John Sucansky is at roselake.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
Check out this week's newspaper for more about your community.
Thisweek Newspapers
12190 County Road 11, Burnsville, MN 55337
Telephone: 952-894-1111 Fax: 952-846-2010