Consider Recommending the City Council Authorize the City's Economic Development Manager to Complete the NDC EDFP Certification

PURPOSE:
Consider recommending the City Council authorize the City's Economic Development Manager to complete the National Development Council's (NDC) Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification program in 2016.

BACKGROUND:
Please see attached.

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The City of Ramsey has an uniquely large inventory of City owned land available for sale and development.  Additionally, the City has a wide array of opportunities for commercial, retail and residential development over the next ten years.  Lastly, over the past few years, the Ramsey City Council has emphasized the importance of economic development and selling City owned land for our community.  With the above in mind, the City anticipates to review a high volume of purchase agreements and business subsidy requests over the coming years.  The City's Economic Development Manager is responsible for managing the review/ negotiation of purchase agreements and business subsidy requests.

Staff would like to propose the City's Economic Development Manager complete the National Development Council's (NDC) Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification program in 2016.  This certification will aid the Economic Development Manager, and indirectly EDA/ City Council, in the review of purchase agreements/ business subsidy requests.

This program will provide technical and hands-on training in the areas outlined below.  Please see attached course outline for details.

This program will require an increase to the EDA levy of $10,440 in 2016.

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Consider recommending the City Council authorize the City's Economic Development Manager to complete the National Development Council's (NDC) Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification program in 2016.