3 - Downtown Mast Plan Discussion

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projected to increase by over 6o percent by the year 2030. In the last three years, population in Pequot Lakes has increased by 5%, and population in the region as a whole as experienced similar growth rates. The Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as including both Cass and Crow Wing Counties),was ranked as the fourth fastest growing micropolitan area in the Midwest, and ranked 28th in the nation. A micropolitan statistical area is a population cluster with at least 10,00o people that is located outside of metropolitan areas. Coming with the increase in population is the growth in year-round demand for goods and services. While the Central Lakes Region largely relies on tourism as a foundation for commerce, there will be an increasing demand for basic goods and services associated with the increase in the year-round residential population. Much of the population growth in the region is fueled by retirees converting their once seasonal cabins to year-round homes. Both Crow Wing and Cass Counties have greater proportions of their populations over the age of 55 than the nation does as a whole. This older population will produce a heightened demand for professional services, such as more specialized health care services. In addition to these services, the expanding year- round residential population will demand more convenience services. Rather than settling with driving to the Brainerd-Baxter commercial complex or to nearby cities to obtain those goods and services, residents will require more businesses to be closer to home. Cities throughout the Region have experienced these development and population trends, as is evidenced in the continuing commercial growth northward along State Highway 371 out of Baxter and the expansion of small businesses in other regional communities, such as Nisswa and Crosby. The Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of `- Commerce also has been expanding to include businesses throughout the region, now boasting more than i,ioo business members. The Chamber of Commerce recently completed construction on a new Welcome Center just to the south of Brainerd to greet visitors as they enter the lakes region and to supplement the information already available at the other welcome centers located in Crosslake and Pequot Lakes. Over the last ten years, the Highway 371 corridor in the Baxter area has experienced significant change, with the addition of several convenience retail stores including Target, Menards, and Wal-Mart. The tourism industry also has not slackened,but rather is experiencing a metamorphosis from a foundation in small, family-run resorts and cabins to a larger, more complex resort industry. This change can be seen in the declining number of small resorts and the number of resort conversion projects as well as the burgeoning hotel and spa facilities becoming available in the region. Cities like Pequot Lakes and Nisswa have capitalized on the vacation-oriented growth by providing visitors with distinct retail destinations. Both cities have compact business districts with small boutiques, shops, and restaurants that cater to vacationers looking for a small town shopping experience. Pending State Highway 371 Improvements Downtown Pequot is bisected by a major transportation thoroughfare, State Highway 371.The increasing year-round and seasonal populations in the region have placed strain on the major route through the Central Lakes Region and public officials have responded with plans for increasing the traffic capacity of the road. North of downtown Nisswa,