Oakdale EDC reviews 2025 work plan and second-year business retention report

The Oakdale Economic Development Commission on April 2 reviewed a draft 2025 work plan and heard a year-two report on the city's Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction program. Max, the city staff liaison, summarized the BREA findings and recommended follow-up actions.

The report, which staff and St. Paul Area Chamber representatives prepared after 12 business visits, said the visits aimed to "express appreciation to businesses and build relationships, connect businesses with resources to help them grow, understand real estate and workforce needs, and understand how our policies impact the business climate of Oakdale," Max said. Commissioners and staff discussed the report's main findings: most visited firms were retailers or restaurants; employers reported ongoing difficulties filling lower-skill positions and some higher-skill vacancies; and 10 of the 12 businesses planned facility…