02-17-2015 EDC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 17,2015 MEETING MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jurchen, Commissioners Rieck, Roggenkamp, and Merritt ABSENT: Commissioner Stroot ALSO PRESENT: Chris Lindholm, School Superintendent; Jenna Crawford, Chamber of Commerce; Dan Frank, Initiative Foundation; Dawn Bittner, Planning and Zoning Administrator; J.P. Gillach, MnDOT Communications Expert; and Sandy Peine, City Clerk 1. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Jurchen at 8:00 a.m. 2. Approval EDC Minutes COMMISSIONER MERRITT MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 20,2015, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES. .. COMMISSIONER REICK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Highway 371 Project- MnDOT Communications Expert—J.P. Gillach Mark Jurchen explained that the EDC is beginning to look at how Pequot Lakes can become more of a destination while dealing with the Highway 371 construction project. He noted that some businesses rely on the highway while others do not. G.P. Gillach, MnDOT Communications Expert, explained that his background is in communications, advertising and marketing. He can assist the City with the issues relating to the Highway 371 construction. It is beneficial that the City has already involved the Initiative Foundation and identified the need to communicate with Pequot Lakes' businesses about the Highway 371 project. Mr. Gillach explained that MnDOT can help integrate the process by working with the City in several areas such as maintaining a website with current information on the project, assisting with distributing information via an e-mail list,providing a weekly or monthly updates on project, assisting with press releases, newsletters, etc. The City can use the project as a launching pad for a marketing campaign to create excitement about the project. The City could also L. work toward bringing the businesses together regarding the Highway 371 project.