The Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce released news on Tuesday of work they have done to further understand issues that impact economic growth in the city and what action should be to attract more business. A current topic of consideration is the assessment of SAC and WAC fees both by the Met Council and also by the City.
Following a recent meeting of the Business Advocacy committee with members of the City and HEDRA, concerns that rates charged by the city were considerably more than in several surrounding communities. Some of the cities in the comparison include Cottage Grove, Woodbury, Rosemount, Apple Valley and Prescott, Wisconsin.
Chamber President Kristy Barse explained the reason for the comparison
In two sample projects, one a 60 room hotel and the other, a major business, such as the Hastings CoOp Creamery, the fees were compared using a baseline the Met Council fees, which remain the same and the City Fees which varied widely. Barse expressed concerns that the increased fees have a negative effect when businesses are looking to expand or locate new business in Hastings. The results of the City survey will not be known until the end of the summer. President Barse is looking for feedback from the community and ask for input on a survey of their own that hopes to add to the discussion of how to create an attractive business climate for future growth. Use the link provided to add your input to the Chamber’s survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WJDKQ2Q
