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NOTES `-- EDC /SWOT Meeting December 18, 2009 PRESENT: Sheila Haverkamp, BLADC; Kathy Gaalswyk and Dan Frank, Initiative Foundation; Mayor Adams; PJ Smith, Economic Development Committee; and Dawn Bittner, Zoning Administrator. Sheila explained the EDC had questioned why businesses would want to come to Pequot Lakes. She suggested focusing on our strengths and opportunities. The biggest economic development opportunities in the area was in Pequot Lakes with Tru Protection, Hunt technologies expansion with their meter farm, the grocery store and TDS is hiring again. Mayor Adams reported 8 or 9 new businesses within the past year, 3 businesses lots, indicating a 5 business gain. The EDC has suggested a SWOT analysis. Pequot Lakes is not the same tourist attraction as before. There are vacant store fronts, valuations are decreasing, and businesses are for sale and are not able to sell. A promotional marketing piece could be used listing our strengths. There may be some weaknesses and threats we need to work on. PJ stated moving Highway 371 (to alternate route) is a big, divisive issue that split the community creating a lot of negative feelings. With small businesses fighting to keep going which is not unique to this community, the highway is one more issue that they don't need to deal with. The issue has been aired and it doesn't seem like we can get a clear path which way to move. There are factions forming who are compiling lists of items the Council needs to address. He stated he would like to get past the divisiveness but he is not sure how to do it. The Council tries to do what is right. There have already been meetings on the highway and to pull the community together for another big meeting may do more harm than good. We need to try a different way, set the criteria for analysis and put it out to all the groups and ask what to do about it. Something unique would be to ask the different groups their suggestions — Chamber, P & Z, Council, residents, EDC (splinter groups ?). Once we have that information we can see where we agree and build on those positives to work on a better way to resolve. The majority of people in the groups are willing to try and move beyond the issue but they don't know the best way to do so. Kathy explained that through the Initiative Foundation they have a Healthy Community Partnership, although the application process just closed. Through this process all voices are heard, there are community meetings with tremendous efforts to reach everyone within the community, define unique strengths and gifts and make sure the approach is sustainable.