Economic Development Initiatives Underway
Jacquel Hajder, Anoka County Economic Development Specialist; Lori Higgins, MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce president; and Bruce Sayler, principal of community and economic development at Connexus Energy; spoke to the board about the Anoka County Regional Economic Development Partnership. This partnership was formed between the county, chamber, and Connexus in 2017 to help bolster economic development in the area. Higgins spoke of a 200-page economic development roadmap that was put together last year, marketing directives, and the hiring of Hajder as the county’s economic development specialist. Hajder talked primarily about the county’s new economic development website, anokacountysuccess.org, which has information on such topics as the county’s assets, tax incentives, and a continually-updated map of available commercial sites. Sayler noted Connexus, along with Anoka and Washington counties, will be launching a new initiative called the Minnesota Technology Corridor. The aim of this initiative is to attract companies to the area that can utilize the high energy capacity, high bandwidth and the talented workforce available north of the metro.
Click HERE to view a video of the presentation, which starts at the 4:24 mark.
ACTION ITEMS
Several Transportation Projects Approved
The board unanimously approved projects that seek to maintain and improve the county’s transportation infrastructure. These actions included:
• A resolution authorizing Anoka County to enter into a local road improvement program agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the realignment of West Freeway Drive in the city of Columbus.
• A resolution authorizing the county engineer to seek bids for the Countywide Overlay Program.
• Two resolutions authorizing the county engineer to negotiate joint powers agreements with the city of Blaine to have traffic control systems installed. One system will be located at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Woodland Parkway; the other will be located at the intersection of Radisson Road and Xylite Street. There will also be advanced warning and yellow arrow improvements to the existing traffic control system at the intersection of 101st Avenue and Radisson Road.
Read more about these projects HERE.
Parks Budget Amendment, Crack Sealing Project Approved
The board approved an adjustment to the Parks Capital Improvement Plan and a 2019 budget adjustment in the amount of $250,000 for Chomonix Golf Course operations. This action was for building improvements and equipment acquisition related to golf course operations. Read the full board action HERE.
Also approved was a chip seal/pavement program with Minnesota Roadways Co., not to exceed $259,000. This project will consist of various pavement rehabilitations at county locations such as the Blaine Human Services Center, the Anoka County Fairgrounds, and libraries. Read the full board action HERE.