3 - Comprehensive Plan Discussion

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i uses of this area such as a movie theatre, roller skating rink, etc. These amenities have to potential to draw people from a wide area. • Require unused properties to maintain the property. Currently several unused properties are unsightly and take away from the general business park environment. This creates greater difficulty in marketing properties. Ensure that expansion of the City's commercial zoning districts are tied to the cost-effective expansion of utilities. Development on the highway corridor misdirects investments that are critically needed in the downtown and business park areas. In addition, development along the highway corridors impedes safe vehicle travel, degrades highway capacity and is expensive to provide service to. Businesses in these areas may find comparatively cheap land prices, but that reflects the difficulty in sustaining a business in an isolated location. New commercial zones must be reserved for areas in the community that will immediately utilize the community's existing investments in major infrastructure. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Carefully communicate this philosophy to the full community. In particular ensure existing businesses understand why this approach enhances their business. Additionally, Increased usage of existing infrastructure will moderate those costns for all Promote an excellent school district and housing policies that cater to a diverse workforce.The success of businesses in the community will depend on people choosing to move to, live in and invest in Pequot Lakes.A healthy school and desirable workforce housing are two of the most critical components necessary to attract workers and investment.To the extent possible,the City of Pequot Lakes needs to support the local school district and work to implement a robust housing strategy for the urban neighborhoods of Pequot Lakes. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Redeveloping local neighborhoods with sense of place standards, such as sidewalks, tree lined boulevards, when reconstruction occurs will help accomplish this. • Develop a partnership between businesses and the school district to offer internships to high school sophomores and juniors to learn business skills and work ethics. Assist local businesses with leveraging capital.To maintain a sustainable local economy, the City of Pequot Lakes should create an environment for businesses to establish,grow and prosper. The City needs to help new businesses and businesses in transition leverage capital.The availability of capital is the most important factor in creating and expanding a business.There are opportunities open to the City to free up capital for businesses or to connect businesses with sources of funding,from tax increment financing(TIF)to revolving loan funds and community development corporations.The City should consider these and other emerging mechanisms as part of an economic development strategy. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: