HomeMy WebLinkAboutV.D - Strategic Plan Update
To: HEDRA Commissioners
From: Rusty Fifield, Economic Development Coordinator
Date: July 3, 2019
Item: Strategic Plan for Economic Development Update
The following is an update on the status of actions contained in the Strategic Plan for Economic
Development and related economic development activities. Highlights of current activities
include:
Strategic Plan for Economic Development prepared and approved by HEDRA. The Plan is
posted in the Business section of the website.
Update of the “Business” section of the website is underway. Planning for changes to go live
in 3 to 6 weeks. Report to HEDRA in August.
Collecting and analyzing housing data. Waiting for release of Dakota County CDA housing
study. Hope to have preliminary needs assessment findings at October HEDRA meeting.
Collecting data to create profiles of Opportunity Sites identified in Vermillion Street
Corridor Study. Profiles will include redevelopment strategies for each site. Target to
complete by end of the year.
Working with Staff to explore grant funding options for pedestrian-bicycle system planning
and coordinate with economic development plans.
Ongoing Actions
Action Comments
Establish strong working relationships and
communications with key stakeholders
inside and outside of Hastings.
Ongoing involvement with:
Chamber’s Developer’s Task Force meetings
Bi-Monthly Dakota County CDA County/City
Community Development Meeting
Sensible Land Use Coalition (SLUC)
Economic Development Association of
Minnesota (EDAM)
Strategic Plan Update
July 3, 2019
Page 2
Action Comments
Ongoing networking with development and real
estate community
Coordinate economic development
activities with HEDRA, City Council and
City departments.
Ongoing
Strategic Plan for Economic Development
presented to City Council on July 1
Manage the “Business” section of the City
website to provide relevant and timely
information.
Ongoing
Seek new and creative funding sources. Ongoing
Respond promptly to opportunities. Recent inquiries:
Industrial land – relocation
Multi-family housing
Immediate Actions
Develop and implement strategies for addressing housing issues related to
economic development
Action Comments
Evaluate current housing needs
In process. Compiling information on:
Existing housing stock
Trends
Land availability
Perceptions about Hastings in residential
development community outside of Hastings
Strategic Plan Update
July 3, 2019
Page 3
Action Comments
Review 2019 Dakota County CDA housing
needs study for implications for Hastings
Report expected to be available in July
Work with HEDRA to create specific
actions to address local housing needs
Preliminary findings and recommendations to
HEDRA in 4th Quarter 2019
Present findings and recommendations to
City Council
TBD
Identify and act on opportunities to enhance the environment to operate and
locate business in Hastings
Action Comments
Work to achieve the successful completion
of Great River Landing
Provide assistance to John as needed
Work with Parks and Recreation, the
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Bureau, the Hastings School District, the
YMCA, and other stakeholders to expand
the economic impact of people visiting
Hastings for events
TBD
Work with Parks and Recreation, the
Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Bureau, and other stakeholders to create a
plan to capitalize on bicycle tourism.
Working with Staff and Dakota County to obtain
funding for trail-related planning and
improvements
Evaluate the alternative uses of the 50-
acre parcel in the Business Park, make
recommendation to HEDRA and
implement preferred development strategy
Creating framework to analyze and evaluate
alternative uses of property
Strategic Plan Update
July 3, 2019
Page 4
Create and implement strategies to effectively address redevelopment
opportunities
Action Comments
Identify and prioritize redevelopment sites
in the Vermillion Street Corridor
Creating property information database for
Opportunity Sites identified in Corridor Study
Play an active role in the reuse of the
Target property to enhance the positive
impact of redevelopment
Ongoing contact with Ryan Companies on status
of plans for reuse
Work to achieve development on City
owned property that enhances the
Downtown
Panache response due September 30
Recommend a redevelopment land
acquisition strategy for HEDRA
TBD
Solidify internal economic development functions
Action Comments
Help the new City Administrator become
informed and engaged with economic
development initiative in Hastings
TBD
Update the “Business” section of the
website to support this Plan
In process
Hope to present update to HEDRA in August
Provide the City Council and HEDRA with
quarterly (or more frequently if needed)
written reports on progress made on the
actions in this Plan
Ongoing