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EDA reviews draft 2025 community and economic development report, considers marketing options
Summary
The EDA reviewed a draft 2025 community and economic development report, discussed whether to polish it for marketing, considered using AI or local vendors for design work, and heard chamber updates on events and outreach; staff will refine the report and return for EDA sign-off before council review.
Abby (EDA staff) presented the updated 2025 community and economic development report, describing it as both an internal tracking document and a possible marketing piece to showcase permitting, valuations and departmental accomplishments since the merger with building inspections and code enforcement.
Why it matters: the report consolidates metrics and community highlights that the city can use for developer outreach, grant narratives and public communications; commissioners discussed whether to keep it an internal document or invest in polishing it for external marketing.
What commissioners and staff discussed
- Cover image and branding: Abby acknowledged the packet used an older state-flag photo and said she would replace it with the current flag; commissioners recommended avoiding controversial imagery and keeping the stronger previous cover photo.
- Marketing and polishing options: Commissioners suggested inexpensive options first, like AI tools, before hiring a marketing firm. One commissioner offered to provide a proposal from a local marketing agency but flagged potential conflicts of interest if a commissioner'owned firm participated; commissioners asked staff to collect price quotes.
- Use as outreach: Abby said the report could be included in developer packets, staff email signatures and distributed at trade events such as MNCAR; she also noted the chamber contribution on the last page and encouraged more hyperlinks in a digital version to the 2050 comprehensive plan and business resources.
Chamber updates and events
Annette, representing the chamber, highlighted recent and upcoming activities: the Lakes Area Expo, the egg hunt, Small Business Week BR&E visits, the Forest Lake area local leaders event (honoring the outgoing school superintendent and welcoming replacements), Memorial Day planning with the city, and Lake Fest street dance planning. She encouraged EDA participation in chamber events and noted applications for permits are in for Lake Fest.
Outcome and next steps
Abby will solicit pricing for polishing the report, experiment with lower-cost AI polishing first, add suggested hyperlinks to the digital version, correct the cover image, and return a refined report for EDA sign-off before forwarding to the city council. The EDA did not approve any purchase or contract at this meeting.
