4.2.
Economic Development Authority (EDA)
- Meeting Date:
- 07/14/2011
- By:
- Aaron Backman, Administrative Services
Title:
Minnesota Shovel Ready Program Participation
Background:
The State of Minnesota has a certification program that makes the site-selection process easier, faster and more predictable for companies that are looking to grow in Minnesota. Certified shovel-ready status is a standard for sites that are marketed around the country. Being designated for Minnesota's Shovel Ready program means a site has done all the planning, zoning, surveys, title work, environmental studies, soil analysis and infrastructure engineering necessary before development. Minnesota's Certified Shovel Ready sites are marketed at national conferences, trade shows and on the MNPRO.com website, the state's site-selection database. This is particularly important since more than 70% of new site searches begin on the Internet.
John Rhodes, a national site-location consultant with Moran, Stahl & Boyer, assists communities with the certification process. Applications may be submitted to DEED any time. The application fee is $2,950 and covers the initial review, onsite inspection, final certification and marketing. Currently only nine sites in Minnesota have been certified (Big Lake, Cambridge, Dayton-Rogers, Rosemount, Monticello, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Brainerd and Fergus Falls). The site can consist of more than one parcel, but should be a contiguous area. The certification process has taken some communities over five years to accomplish, but more common would be a six to nine month period.
To facilitate these types of certified sites in its service territory, Connexus Energy is offering a limited number of rebates in 2011 to cover the fees of the MN Shovel Ready Program (See attachment). The Economic Development/Marketing Manager has talked with Brian Burandt of Connexus regarding the potential interest by Ramsey in garnering this certification. The most logical area for this, due to site work, infrastructure and engineering already done, would be a portion of The COR.
John Rhodes, a national site-location consultant with Moran, Stahl & Boyer, assists communities with the certification process. Applications may be submitted to DEED any time. The application fee is $2,950 and covers the initial review, onsite inspection, final certification and marketing. Currently only nine sites in Minnesota have been certified (Big Lake, Cambridge, Dayton-Rogers, Rosemount, Monticello, St. Cloud, Alexandria, Brainerd and Fergus Falls). The site can consist of more than one parcel, but should be a contiguous area. The certification process has taken some communities over five years to accomplish, but more common would be a six to nine month period.
To facilitate these types of certified sites in its service territory, Connexus Energy is offering a limited number of rebates in 2011 to cover the fees of the MN Shovel Ready Program (See attachment). The Economic Development/Marketing Manager has talked with Brian Burandt of Connexus regarding the potential interest by Ramsey in garnering this certification. The most logical area for this, due to site work, infrastructure and engineering already done, would be a portion of The COR.
Observations:
Funding Source:
If there are expenses related to the certification process beyond the Connexus rebate, that could be paid for by EDA funds.
Staff Recommendation:
City Staff recommends that the EDA direct staff to pursue Shovel Ready Certification for a site in the City of Ramsey.
EDA Action:
Approve the pursuit of a Shovel Ready Certified site in the City of Ramsey and to work with Connexus Energy to obtain a rebate to cover the cost of the $2,950 application fee.
Attachments
Form Review
- Form Started By:
- abackman
- Started On:
- 07/08/2011 03:42 PM
- Final Approval Date:
- 07/08/2011