01-10-2023 EDC MinutesCHANHASSEN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2023
Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Eric Anderson, Commissioners Duke Zurek, Chris Freeman,
and Stacy Goff.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Samantha DiMaggio, Economic Development Manager; Bob Generous,
Senior Planner.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
Member Freeman moved, Member Zurek seconded to approve the agenda. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
APPROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES DATED
DECEMBER 14, 2022
Member Goff moved, Member Zurek seconded to approve the Minutes of the Economic
Development Commission meeting dated December 14, 2022 as presented. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0.
VISITOR PRESENTATIONS:
1. DEED Presentation: Chanhassen Workforce Overview
Neal Young, Director of Economic Analysis at the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development, gave a presentation overview of the workforce in the City of
Chanhassen. He shared about demographics within Chanhassen including age, race, households
and housing, and other indicators. He contrasted the labor market overview and unemployment
statistics by City and by County, local cities where Chanhassen residents work, and where those
who work within Chanhassen live. Mr. Young shared the top six industries by employment
within Chanhassen including computer and electronic manufacturing, educational services,
food/drink services, merchant wholesalers, machinery manufacturing, and professional,
scientific, and technical services.
Economic Development Commission – January 10, 2023
2
The Commissioners and Mr. Young discussed workforce housing options for the many people
who travel to Chanhassen to work, labor force participation numbers, unemployment, and
telecommuting.
Economic Development Manager DiMaggio and the Commissioners discussed takeaways from
the presentation including larger household sizes and demographic ages, and trying to get people
to come back to Chanhassen after higher education and continuing to promote Chanhassen as a
Community for Life.
Member Zurek sees a need to attract people and the City needs to provide opportunities for those
people within Chanhassen.
Ms. DiMaggio would like to do some checking into entrepreneurship under 18 as she knows
some students who have started their own businesses such as sweet rolls and an ice cream truck.
A member of the public hopes Chanhassen can focus on workforce housing because of the
difficulty in keeping positions filled.
DISCUSSION/GENERAL BUSINESS ITEMS: None.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
Community Development Director DiMaggio noted a few commercial projects showing interest
within the City with an application for a coffee shop/co-working space coming in March. She
also had someone reach out about an event center and a restaurant. Ms. DiMaggio shared about
challenges on the site of Tono Pizzeria with the City asking for 10 more parking spaces and the
owner noting the high cost of adding those spaces. She will continue working with the owner.
Ms. DiMaggio stated the previous day the City sent 30 letters to manufacturers with a link to an
online survey. The following month a representative from the Community Development Agency
will be at the EDC meeting to talk with the Commissioners.
ADJOURNMENT:
Member Zurek moved, Member Freeman seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in
favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 4 to 0. The Economic
Development Commission meeting was adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Submitted by Samantha DiMaggio
Economic Development Manager
Prepared by Amy Weidman
Administrative Support Specialist