—
Since its designation a few years ago as the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan Statistical Area, Blue Earth and Nicollet counties have benefited in myriad ways.
The federal designation -- based on combined population in the area -- puts the area on the map in numerous ways. Federal funding and data tracking now include the Mankato-North Mankato area. Major corporations and business developers of all sizes now find this area listed on a variety of reports that can be used by them when they're making decisions about where to expand or locate.
That's why it's a prime time for Mankato, North Mankato and area communities to develop a regional economic development authority.
The idea is being promoted by several local elected officials, including the mayor of North Mankato and Mankato council members.
The plan would create a joint-powers agreement creating a regional EDA that would better promote the area to prospective businesses -- particularly those outside southern Minnesota -- while protecting the autonomy of individual cities involved. It would also save money and staff time for individual communities and standardize many of the incentives given by communities to attract business.
Under the plan, communities would have equal representation on the regional EDA and it would have staff to promote the area and make initial contacts with prospective businesses.
Greater Mankato Growth, the regional chamber of commerce, would promote the area's workfoce, available buildable lots and available buildings in all communities.
Having GMG do the marketing especially makes sense as they have just invested heavily in something called a GIS Planning site that catalogs, in one location, pertinent information for site planners. The technology gives GMG a leg up with busy site selectors and planners.
But each community would continue to have its own EDA, which either consists of the entire city council, or in the case of North Mankato, its Port Authority. And if a business came directly to one community with interest in building there, that prospect would be that city's alone.
The regional EDA board would also allow all the cities involved to agree to standardized incentives: when to give land at a discount to a prospective business, or what criteria to use for giving tax increment financing or other incentives.
That would bring fairness, eliminate businesses playing one community off another as they shop for the best incentives, and it would be in the best interest of all taxpayers in the region.
The regional board also takes pressure off of staff in individual communities -- staff that now has to do all of the work when initially dealing with prospective businesses.
North Mankato plays a pivotal role in deciding whether the regional EDA model moves ahead. The city a few years ago pulled out of a relationship with Greater Mankato Growth and the GMG Convention and Visitors Bureau -- a move many saw as ill conceived.
The regional EDA would give North Mankato limited involvement in GMG -- for marketing purposes. While some North Mankato civic and elected leaders have voiced reservations about any involvement with GMG, those fears are unfounded.
The Mankato-North Mankato area is moving forward, for the good, by unifying and creating alliances and partnerships. It's something taxpayers expect and benefit from.
There are many details to be worked out, but the regional EDA concept is a good idea for everyone involved.
Editorials
Related Photos
-
cartoon 11-20
November 19, 2012
Our View: Regional EDA is good for the area
- Editorials
-
-
Legislature: Vows kept, mistakes made
There will be plenty for Gov. Mark Dayton and the DFL legislative majority to crow about this week after the conclusion of the session Monday night.
- Our View: Lakes reveal chemical abundance Even if your mother may not have had scientific data at her fingertips, she obviously knew what she was talking about when she said don't drink lake water. A new study makes that advice more important than ever and raises concerns about how we treat
- Press 'shield law' is a bad idea Press 'shield law' is a bad idea The Obama administration announced last week that it is throwing its support behind the press shield law that has been stalled in Congress since time immemorial. Critics insist that the administration, suddenly mired
-
Shelter for homeless right start
To Mankato civic leaders for, once again, stepping up to address a growing demand for shelter by homeless women. The needs appears to be dramatic and continuing even though the Theresa House, Welcome Inn shelters and the CADA House program for domest
- Our View: SEC should act on ratings conflicts Money talks. In the continuing dispute over the all-too-cozy relationship between the people who create and sell financial products and the people who rate their risk, the money says: Shut up and let us do what we want. Minnesota Sen. Al Franken and
- Time runs short for Legislature Focus, Minnesota legislators, as you have many details left So much for the theory that one party controlling Minnesota's House, Senate and governor's chair would mean fast work in St. Paul. Exactly one week from the end of the 2013 regular session a
- records' seizure harms free press This has not been a good week for President Obama. First it was learned that the Internal Revenue Service was targeting conservative organizations with special scrutiny, the practice of which the White House said it was unaware. Then news surfaced th
- Investigate IRS action on groups The revelation that the Internal Revenue Service was targeting conservative groups has drawn criticism from both parties. But the Wall Street Journal this week revealed that the scrutiny went beyond groups that had "tea party" or "patriot" in their n
- Military needs new approach in assault cases Just when you thought the sexual assault problems in the military couldn't get worse, two events emerged last week to prove you wrong. The chief of the Air Force sexual assault prevention branch was arrested on suspicion of drunkenly groping a woman
- A watchdog carries on the fight In journalism circles, the Timberjay is the little newspaper with lots of moxie. This weekly newspaper Up North, in Ely, has established a tradition of fighting hard for the public's right to know. That's not a task to be taken lightly. It's a big, e
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Legislature: Vows kept, mistakes made
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
