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EDA reviews SEO strategy, directs staff to negotiate consultant scopes and receives housing and broadband updates
Summary
The EDA discussed website and property-listing SEO, directed staff to begin consultant negotiations for 2026 under a flat levy assumption, and heard staff updates on a pending housing grant application and a planned CTC visit and broadband testimony.
Brainerd City's Economic Development Authority on Sept. 4 discussed efforts to improve online property listings and search visibility, authorized staff to begin negotiating consultant scopes for 2026, and heard staff reports on housing grants and broadband advocacy.
Jennifer and Mary summarized a strategy that combines organic SEO (regular website content updates) and a pay-per-click campaign to raise visibility for property listings. Mary said the Visit Brainer campaign is currently spending about "$500 to $600 a month on keyword search" and recommended consolidating related keyword campaigns.
On budget and consultants, James said the preliminary 2026 levy for the EDA is expected to remain flat at about $186,812 and staff were authorized to engage consultants to develop the 2026 scope of services and deliverables. Board members asked staff to seek efficiencies but affirmed that additional needs could be brought forward if priority projects require additional funding.
Staff reports included a Minnesota Housing grant application for infrastructure on outlots E and F (to support roughly 18 units) and continued work on an 805 Laurel housing project and housing tax-credit outreach. Tyler noted coordination on a CTC visit and that Christy West Brock had recently testified in Congress on rural broadband funding, citing Brainerd in her remarks.
The EDA asked staff to return in December with any refined consultant scopes, SEO cost options and further updates on grant outcomes and housing projects.
