HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC Report-3b (05-23-13)
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 23, 2013
AGENDA #: 3.b.
PREPARED BY: Casey McCabe, Community Development Specialist
AGENDA ITEM: SHOP LOCAL ISD 719 MEETING FOLLOW UP
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
During the May 2 EDAC meeting, member Mike Stout summarized a recent business re-
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tention & expansion survey completed by a downtown business. The primary concern iden-
tified by the business owner was the lack of local purchasing from school district organiza-
tions. The business owner feels the school district can do a better job of supporting the lo-
cal businesses that support them.
History
On May 2 the EDAC discussed an upcoming meeting between Mr. Stout and the ISD 719
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Superintendent, Dr. Sue Ann Gruver, and enossage.
Mr. Stout, Sue Gainor (the Laker Store) and Casey McCabe met with Dr. Gruver, and Assis-
tant Superintendent, Jeff Holmberg, on May 7. The meeting was productive and the
th
School District representatives seemed to be unaware of the amount of funds expended
outside the district boundaries. The district representatives stated they would be discussing
this issue and promoting the shop local message with the rest of the school administration.
Current Circumstances
During the last meeting, EDAC members asked if the City of Prior Lake has a policy related
to local purchasing. City staff discussed this issue with City administration and although the
City of Prior Lake, like the school district, must comply with state statute requirements for
contracts and purchases over a certain dollar amount, the consensus was the City can do
more to promote local purchasing.
The EDA briefly discussed this issue during their May 20 meeting and offered a few oppor-
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tunities to encourage more local spending, including; developing a notification process by
utilizing the Prior Lake Chamber, City website and other sources to help make the public
aware of available contracts and purchasing; encourage local businesses to get involved in
the bidding process; develop a city purchasing network and make the information available
to local businesses; and recommending the administration discuss this issue with all de-
partment heads and encourage all purchases to remain local, if possible.
The EDA would like the EDAC to explore this issue and identify ways to promote the shop
local message and encourage the larger businesses in the community (ISD 719, SMSC and
others) to also purchase locally.
Conclusion
Mr. Stout also suggested the EDAC approach Prior Lake Athletics for Youth (P.L.A.Y.) and
encourage them to shop local. During a recent review of the March 2013 P.L.A.Y. meeting
minutes, Mr. Stout noticed they were discussing ways to get the community more involved
and maintain positive relationships with local businesses; however, the vendors P.L.A.Y.
lists as targets are not located in Prior Lake.
ISSUES:
EDAC members should discuss and identify ways to promote the shop local message and
encourage the larger businesses in the community (ISD 719, SMSC and others) to pur-
chase locally. The committee may wish to establish a common message and possibly de-
velop materials to provide businesses which encourage them to keep purchases local
whenever possible.
The EDA was very interested in this subject and would like to review the EDACs recom-
mendations for the assistance and promotion of small business prior to the EDAC taking
any action.
FINANCIAL
None at this time.
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES:
Discussion Only.
RECOMMENDED
Discussion Only.
MOTION:
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