EDAB 08/20/2013 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Casselberry Economic Development Advisory Board Minutes of August 20, 2013 Meeting Page 2 Presentation: CRA Extension — PMG Associates, Inc. Mr. Kyle Dudgeon, Economic Development Planner, stated that the City's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has expressed a desire in pursuing a 10 year extension based on the merit of its work and the need for it to continue financially supporting redevelopment projects in the City. He stated that PMG Associates, Inc. is contracted to assist City staff in the development of a CRA redevelopment plan update. Mr. Dudgeon said that PMG and City staff expressed an interest in engaging the local business community as part of their public input process. Mr. Phil Gonot, PMG Associates Inc., overviewed the goals and analysis of the update report. He said that as part of their justification, the CRA should look to extend through the construction of the US HWY 17 -92 / State Road 436 flyover as well as provide enough time for economic stability afterwards. Mr. Gonot stated that there is a sizeable reduction in taxable value to the CRA from the flyover. He additionally provided other goals of the plan including proposed expenditures and the process for extension with the County. He asked for the boards' involvement in regards to the public input process through stakeholder interviews. Mr. Gonot stated the interviews would be discussion based one -on -one interviews and would take place at a separate location. Business Attraction — Top 100 exercise Mr. Kyle Dudgeon, Economic Development Planner, stated that at last month's meeting, staff was directed to prepare guidelines for creating a list of top businesses to attract to Casselberry. He stated that even though the board previously had conversations regarding growing the existing business community, this exercise does proactively engage business interest which is a primary interest of the board. Mr. Dudgeon invited the board to share their thoughts on what businesses they want to try to attract to the City. The board stated that the medical and software development industries are professional, growing business sectors. By adding more of these types of firms, it positively affects aspects of Casselberry's perception. They additionally stated that targeting firms in a `fastest growing industries /firms' list was a good idea. They said a good strategy is to provide those firms with a personalized letter and information packet showing the City's interest as well as provide a socio- economic demographic of the area.