05-16-2017 EDC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MEETING OF THE PEQUOT LAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION TUESDAY,MAY 16,2017 PEQUOT LAKES CITY HALL Members Present: Chair Jurchen, Commissioners Lindholm, Rieck, Sjoblad, and Lubke (arrived at 8:03 a.m.) Members Absent: Commissioner Holley Others Present: Nancy Malecha, City Administrator/Clerk; Sheila Haverkamp, BLAEDC; Sue Galligan, Pequot Lakes Chamber; Sue Courteau, TDS Telecom; Bob Perkins, TDS Telecom; and Bruce Meade, Edward Jones 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Jurchen at 8:00 a.m. 2. Approve EDC Minutes COMMISSIONER RIECK MOVED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 18,2017 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES. COMMISSIONER SJOBLAD SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. (Commissioner Lubke arrived at the meeting.) 3. Broadband Update from TDS Bob Perkins and Sue Courteau provided the following handouts to the Commission. • 8 Advantages to Choosing Fiber Over Copper Cable • TDS Fiber-to-Your Business Connection • Pequot Lakes Industrial Park and New Technology Park Mr. Perkins explained that fiber optic cable is the end all and it is important to get fiber in close proximity of business and residential neighborhoods as it allows for much faster internet speeds. Mr. Perkins clarified technology definitions and acronyms with the Commission. He reviewed the aid to construction process and costs associated with the construction of fiber optics to serve both the current Pequot Lakes Industrial Park and the proposed new Technology Park addition. Mr. Perkins noted the approximate total cost of this project would be $150,000 which includes an aid to construction amount of$86,000. Chair Jurchen stated that higher internet speeds mean greater efficiency and noted his concern about potential development that Pequot Lakes is not getting because of this.