Thanks to Cardinal Corner for their support.
The City of West St. Paul is surveying local businesses. You can take the survey online.
Why: “The purpose of the business retention and expansion survey is to gain a better understanding of the business climate here in West St. Paul,” said Community Development Director Ben Boike. “Ultimately, the information gathered will help the City re-evaluate our business subsidy programs to better fit the needs of the business community.”
What’s on it: The survey covers the type and history of the business, current accomplishments and challenges, employee retention/recruiting, barriers to growth/expansion, and how the city can better assist their business.
Help local businesses: “The goal is to improve the line of communication between the city and businesses and obtain feedback on how the city can better assist businesses moving forward,” Boike said.
How’s Business?
Given the wider economy and repeated claims of a coming recession, we asked Boike about the current business climate:
- New business/low vacancy: “The local economy remains strong,” Boike said. “Despite the current interest rate climate and rise in construction costs, several new businesses have opened this year and commercial/industrial vacancies remain low. “
- Industrial expansion: “Another positive sign is that some of our larger industrial users have communicated a desire to expand operations in the coming years,” Boike said.
- Redevelopment: High interest rates and construction costs continue to hamper redevelopment. “A large percentage of development projects throughout the region are in a holding pattern, including here in West St. Paul, with the hope that development costs decrease in the coming years,” Boike said.
- More people, more options: “On a positive note, the recent success of market rate multi-family development in our town center area has led to increased interest from developers looking to add entertainment/restaurant users to the area,” said Boike. “The current mixed-use development proposal for the redevelopment of the YMCA property, which will include a sit-down restaurant or brewery as well as public park improvements along the regional trail, is a big catalyst in attracting desired uses in the area.”
Don’t forget to take the business survey.
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(Photo Credit: Peter Ladd)