Maplewood EDA opts to keep business-retention visits in-house rather than renew Chamber contract

Maplewood commissioners on Dec. 8 directed staff to continue business-retention outreach in-house rather than renewing the Saint Paul Area Chamber contract, saying local staff knowledge and relationships will yield higher-quality visits.

Ms. Parr presented the BRUNA (business retention, expansion and attraction) program and explained the current contract model with the Saint Paul Area Chamber pays roughly $5,000 annually (with an additional $5,000 if performance targets — 15 annual visits and a year-end report — are met). She said the Chamber has proposed reducing visit targets from 15 to 12, and noted that the Chamber has struggled to complete visits in recent years due to staffing changes and post-pandemic business patterns.

"I'd rather have quality visits than quantity of visits," Parr said, describing a preference for focused, staff-led outreach (she listed potential professional services items such as a housing study and market study as separate budget lines). Several commissioners agreed: Commissioner Lee said the city’s community-development director should be the direct contact, and Vice President Cave and others praised Parr’s relationships with local businesses.

Commissioners asked staff to proceed with bringing BRUNA work in-house and encouraged elected officials to participate in outreach when possible. No formal contract action was required at the meeting; staff said they would move forward based on the guidance.

Why it matters: Business-retention visits are a primary mechanism for the city to learn about local employers’ needs and to identify expansion or redevelopment opportunities. Commissioners framed an in-house model as providing more authenticity and a better ongoing relationship with small and legacy businesses.

What’s next: Staff will implement an in-house BRUNA approach, refine visit questions and target lists, and report back to the EDA on outreach outcomes.