HomeMy WebLinkAbout05 02 2017 Technology Village Minutes
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
TECHNOLOGY VILLAGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES – May 2, 2017
952.496-8830 – jfoust@scottfss.org - www.technologyvillage.net
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 a.m. in the Parkview Community Room at City Hall. Members present: Gerry
Hughes, Adam Proehl, Patrick Stroh, Zach Braid, Lori Frank, Sarah Jones, and Dan Straton and Advisory Board
member Dave Rech. Staff present: Casey McCabe and Jo Foust.
2. Approval of Meeting Minutes
a. April 4, 2017
MOTION BY PROEHL and SECOND BY BRAID to approve the April 4, 2017 meeting minutes. The Motion was
approved 4-3-0, with Braid, Frank and Jones abstaining as they were not present for the April meeting.
3. Old Business
a. Marketing Update
The Dakota County Technical College’s Graphic Design Class finalized the direct mail marketing piece for
Technology Village. The oversized post card design was reviewed. Due to the limited space on the post card, it
was noted the space was advertised as the initial hook with additional information on programming to be shared
with those who inquire. DCTC will be asked if they could provide the jpeg or complimentary social media piece.
Printing quotes have been obtained. The mailer will be sent to a target market of newly incorporated businesses
that appear to have a technology background and technology business list from Sales Genie and
DemographicsNow.
The total cost is estimated at around $200. McCabe noted there is a “Communications” line item in the budget with
$2000 allocated.
MOTION by STROH and SECOND by JONES to approve printing of 250 oversized postcards at Riverfront Printing,
Shakopee, and approve postage associated with the target market mailing.
b. FAST-TRACK Challenge -Business Competition
An update was provided on the FAST-TRACK Business Challenge. A marketing flyer and press release were
included in the packet. The flyer will be printed and mailed to a target market list of new businesses in Scott
County and technology business lists generated.
Pre-Announcement/Soft-launch meetings have been held with seven organizations including the Prior Lake EDA,
Savage EDC and Elko New Market EDA, SCALE Technical Team, First Stop Shop Advisory Committee and a
Shakopee Leader’s Group. Staff has also met with Greater MSP staff, Dakota County Technical College and has
been in contact with DEED. All are willing to help promote the event. Upcoming meetings are scheduled with the
Belle Plaine and Shakopee EDAs, Prior Lake Rotary, SCALE and Scott County Board.
Action items for the next month include continuing the soft-launch meetings, finalizing media contacts and
schedules, finalizing the program, assessing a micro-site and sending a target market mailing. It was
recommended the flyer be distributed to colleges, coffee shops, etc.
Board members offered to assist with the distribution of flyers to their contacts, colleges, user-groups, social media
forms, etc. It was recommended the event be promoted through the MNCAPS program and Tech Center at the
Prior Lake –Savage High School, as well as through Techgov.mn. Board members will be asked to assist with
obtaining sponsors, and prizes. It was also suggested Twitter be used to promote the event as well.
The Board will discuss the event at the next workshop session which was rescheduled from May 16, 2017 to May
23rd at 7:30 a.m.
c. County wide incubator update
Foust reported she met with the Savage EDC on April 19, 2017. They discussed the feasibility of developing an
incubator space. The EDC is recommending their City Council budget for improvements and move forward with a
project.
A meeting will be held next May 8, 2017 with FSS staff and representatives from cities/chambers that have
expressed an interest in expanding the incubator program to a county-wide model. Hughes offered to meet with
City representatives and share the history and logistics of Technology Village.
4. New Business
a. Gifthorse Sponsor/Assignment. Gifthorse has joined the Technology Village Virtual Program. The
company has developed a retail e-commerce app. The assignment of a Board member as the
sponsor/mentor for Gifthorse was discussed. Frank and Stratton offered to meet with Jacob to determine
his needs and discuss a roundtable meeting.
5. Updates
a. Technology Village Metric Report – April, 2017
Board members reviewed and discussed the April 2017 Metric Report. McCabe provided an update. All
participants are current with rent. There are 31 employees at this time.
b. Action Item Update
The Action Item report was referenced.
c. Calendar of Events
The Board will meet on May 23rd for a workshop session. It was the consensus of the Board to cancel the July
4th meeting and hold the regular monthly board meeting on July 18th.
d. Board Member Ideas/Recommendations
The Board requested the preparation of a letter thanking the DCTC for their partnership and assistance.
6. Adjourn
MOTION BY FRANK and SECOND BY STRATTON to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
A Participant Business Breakfast meeting was held following the Board meeting. Information on Small Business
Financing was presented by Bart Bevins, DEED, and Lee Hall, MCCD.
Submitted by: Jo Foust, Scott County FSS