11-17-2015 EDC Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Economic Development Commission Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 2 of 4 businesses with no sharing of bandwidth. She further stated that Charter has no plans to put additional fiber in the area, but this could change as needed. Commissioner Stroot inquired why Charter does not offer telephone service via the internet. Ms. Davich noted that this can be done via voice internet protocol and Charter does offer this service. 4. John Babinski—Projects and Vision Sheila Haverkamp updated the Commission on the history she had in collaborating with Don Babinski on various economic projects throughout the years. John Babinski from Babinski Properties informed the Commission on the current projects his company is working on. These include the completion of the 40 housing units named Babinski Cottages in Pequot Lakes and the 30,000 square foot animal shelter on County Road 29. He further noted that their 247 buildings along Highway 371 are for personal use. Mr. Babinski stated that in the future they are considering construction of townhomes and office buildings in Pequot Lakes. Chair Jurchen stated that a common office building concept might be a good use for their 247 buildings. Mayor Sjoblad noted that he would like a destination hotel erected in Pequot Lakes along the County Road 11 corridor and that there is a market for this due to the various sporting events in the area. Mr. Babinski stated that his grandfather did not like the hassle of the turnaround time in the hotel business. Chair Jurchen questioned if there was anything the City could do to partner with Babinski Properties. Mr. Babinski explained that their modular home factory has 26 units already built but they are unable to get approval from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to become a manufacturer. He noted that this manufacturing status could create 20-40 jobs. He would like to get this facility operating and find the right market for the modular homes. Mr. Babinski stated that next year he and his grandmother would like to re-do Sibley Lake Park for the City and upgrade the apartment buildings in this area. Mr. Babinski questioned the Commission on what the City wants as possibilities from his business. Mayor Sjoblad stated that there is a need for single family homes. Mr. Babinski noted that if Babinski Properties built homes again they would like to do 20-40 housing unit developments at a time. Mr. Babinski noted that he would be interested in partnership opportunities with the City and he feels that regional economic development meetings with Jenkins and Nisswa would be a good idea.