Economic Development Authority
EDA Table of Contents
The EDA is engaged in the promotion, coordination, the development, expansion and relocation of businesses of our Community working to achieve three of the City Councils Goals of: Increasing Commercial Tax Base, Commercial Marketing Plan & Development of a Strategic Downtown Plan. To accomplish the above City Council goals the City of Isanti EDA is engaged in a number of activities:
Business Retention & Expansion - It is our belief that Isanti's best source of economic growth & development is our existing companies. Consequently, our Mayor and Chamber President have been visiting our local companies to build & maintain a strong relationship with them. During these visits our main goal is to identify ways that we can help our local companies be successful and grow.
Downtown Development - A strong downtown is the key to a strong community. A lot of our efforts therefore are geared towards maintaining and strengthening Main Street Isanti. The Downtown Sub-Committee meets regularly. Recent Downtown projects: Federated Co-op grain elevator demolition, Federated Co-ops brand new store; QWest building expansion; and the recent addition of City's only book store - Bear Books and Gifts.
Industrial Park Development - To promote the continued economic growth of the city, the City of Isanti EDA works to ensure that we have industrial park & building space readily available. We have industrial land with City water, City sewer, small utilities, the best access of an industrial park to Trunk Highway 65 anywhere in the County and great access to County State Aid Highway 5. We abut the BNSF railroad and are looking for alternative modes of transportation to assist our businesses into the future.
Business Recruitment - The City of Isanti EDA is working to bring additional business and industry to our community. In addition, we provide technical and financial assistance for new companies just getting started. We have information readily available to interested businesses to help them be successful in our community.
Financial Assistance - Financing is the single most important ingredient of economic development. The City of Isanti EDA has put-together a "toolbox" of information for the business person. Information from "gap" financing programs; Tax Increment Financing for Industrial Businesses; Tax Increment Financing for Downtown Businesses; delaying of SAC & WAC fees (sewer access charges and water access chages); and information from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Initiative Foundation, the East Central Regional Development Commission, and so on. We have gathered all the information so our businessperson can do what they do best - run their business!
Technical Assistance - The City of Isanti EDA is the first point of contact for all local, regional, State & Federal business resources and information. We assist with everything from helping entrepreneurs formulate & refine their initial business plans to project financing by referrals to the Small Business Development Corporation, location assistance, labor resources, demographics and so forth. If there is a way we can help, we'll do it!
This web site is intended to be the ultimate "one-stop-shop" for businesses and individuals seeking information about economic development opportunities in the City of Isanti. Here is a "Table of Contents" for our web site:
2009 EDA COMMISSIONERS
Branden Apitz
Keith Dragisich
Larry Kuechle
City Council Representatives to the EDA
George Wimmer
Jim Kennedy
The City of Isanti Economic Development Authority (EDA) is a recommendation Board to the City Council.
Economic Development Staff
Carla MK Vita, EDFP
Community Development Director
110 First Avenue North, PO Box 428
Isanti, MN 55040
Phone: 763.444.5512
cvita@cityofisanti.us
