1. Spring 2018 Planning for Resilient Cities Workshop April 11, 2018
Draft 2040 Washington County Comprehensive Plan Resilience and Sustainability Economic Competitiveness
Spring 2018 Planning for Resilient Cities Workshop
April 11, 2018

2. Resilience and Sustainability
“Washington County will strive to maintain its identity, high quality of life, and access to a healthy lifestyle for current and future residents by embracing resiliency and sustainability in future decision making.”

3. Resilience and Sustainability
Woven throughout the plan and in other element chapters
Standalone chapter that focuses in on some topics not explicitly addressed elsewhere, but are an important component of county work and responsibility:
Hazard Mitigation/Community Vulnerability
Healthy Communities
Energy
Solid Waste Management

4. Hazard Mitigation/Community Vulnerability
Climate and precipitation trends and health effects
Vulnerable populations
Infrastructure
Resilience and Sustainability
Goal 1: Maintain and improve community preparedness and emergency response capacity to ensure public health and safety.
Continue and enhance county and city level all-hazard mitigation and response planning.
Recognize and plan for the support of populations with high needs and vulnerabilities to all hazards including extreme weather and climate-related events.
Promote a disaster resistant community infrastructure of housing, utilities, transportation systems, and health care resources able to withstand natural, man-made and economic changes.

5. Healthy Communities Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan
Health equity and health disparities
Health and the built environment
Resilience and Sustainability
Goal 2: Promote personal and community health for all residents.
Pursue opportunities to address inequities and barriers to health
Support individual and community health behaviors that reduce the risks of chronic disease.
Encourage practices and activities to achieve healthy food access for all residents.

6. Energy Energy and transportation use profile
Energy efficiency potential
Solar and wind
Resilience and Sustainability
Goal 3: Identify, promote, and expand the use of energy efficient practices and renewable energy resources.
Collaborate with public entities, community organizations, businesses within the county, and with other counties to achieve mutual energy goals.
Lead by example in county operations to conserve energy, use renewable energy sources in an effective manner, and take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

7. Waste Management
Washington and Ramsey County partnership: Recycling and Energy Board and Center
Solid Waste Master Plan
Resilience and Sustainability
Goal 4: Protect public health and the environment by reducing the amount and toxic character of waste and ensuring proper management of wastes.
Minimize land filling through an integrated waste management system in accordance with the state hierarchy of waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and waste-to-energy.
Lead by example in county operations to develop and implement innovative waste management solutions.
Identify ways to collaborate with public entities, community organizations and businesses to develop and implement innovative waste management solutions.

8. Economic Competitiveness
Washington County strives to provide a variety of resources to create a welcoming environment for businesses and communities to enhance economic development, expand the tax base, and promote job creation.
To achieve this goal, the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) helps communities attract businesses and talent by cultivating partnerships, promoting Washington County across the region, supporting business-friendly infrastructure development, and providing technical and financial assistance.

9. 2016 Commercial/Industrial Market Values as a Percentage of Total

10. How does commercial/industrial market value expansion impact the cost of services?

11. Economic Development - Sometimes compared to a three legged stool
Assist existing businesses
Assist entrepreneurs start up a new business
Marketing and promotion for new businesses seeking to relocate and expand

12. 1. Assist existing businesses 2
1. Assist existing businesses 2. Assist entrepreneurs start up a new business
Small businesses are vital to our economy
According to the MN Dept. of Employment & Economic Development, there are 17,847 non employer businesses and another 5,500 employer businesses that call Washington County Home. If each of these businesses adds just one employee – it could result in over 23,000 new jobs in Washington county.
Also, according to DEED, total receipts from non employer businesses in 2014 equaled about $810 million.
86% of all Washington County businesses have 20 or less employees. (Source: US Census, County Business Patterns)
Washington County joined the Open to Business Program in July In the first six months, 59 businesses were assisted, $175,000 in loans were made and $1.4 million in private financing was leveraged.

13. 3. Marketing and promotion for new businesses seeking to relocate and expand
Minnesota Commercial Association of Real Estate/Realtors (MNCAR) Exchange – We’re making connections for site selectors and sending out regular inquiries to our community partners.
Having buildings available and land that is shovel ready is really important. Without it, we will get passed over for new development opportunities. The Predevelopment Finance Fund (began in March 2018) to assist communities with development and redevelopment opportunities when asked.
There is a place for just about every business in Washington County. By offering a “location specialist”, we are making it easy for site selectors and businesses to quickly find their perfect fit among 33 diverse East Metro communities.

14. New 4th leg of the stool – Workforce Development Talent recruitment and retention
“It does not matter how much work there is if there is no one available to do the work.” (Unknown Author)
We are forming collaborative partnerships with businesses, Washington County Workforce Development, K-12, Higher Education, Greater MSP, DEED and others to align resources and help attract and retain talent whenever possible.

15. Questions? Comments?