Hello!                 Welcome to the May 2006 edition of your Chamber's East Metro Area Economic Development News update. Project Updates Riverview at Upper Landing celebrated its grand opening April 20. This project will add another 344 rental units in Saint Paul.  LeVander Estates construction is slated to begin on the townhome and condominium project in South Saint Paul.  The project is being built on the 10 acre LeVander Estate, former home of Governor Harold R. LeVander and his family.  SSOE, a national architectural and engineering firm, celebrated its grand opening May 4.  The company is located at 400 North Robert Street, Suite 1050, Saint Paul, MN 55101.  Summit Fire Protection announced it will consolidate three metro offices into a single office in the Saint Paul Port Authority's Great Northern Business Center.  The move will bring 130 jobs to the North End. Target Corps.' plan to redevelop its current property (along with the old Sheraton Inn site) on University Avenue into a SuperTarget was sent back for re-engineering Wednesday. After hearing an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to allow a variance to Target, Saint Paul City Council requested that the company create a new plan that is higher in density and more transit-oriented. The Council has delayed voting on the appeal until May 17. 2006 Development Report Card Minnesota and Massachusetts have the best economic climates in the U.S., according to a new 2006 Development Report Card for the States, released by the Corporation for Enterprise Development.  The two states were the only to earn straight "As" for the vitality of their businesses, performance of their economies for workers and their positioning for future economic growth.  For more information, analysis and access to grades for each state, visit www.cd-ed.org/go/drc. Metro Report 2006 Metro Report books, showcasing leading companies in the Twin Cities, are now available from your Chamber. The Metro Report includes profiles of major companies in the region and is a great employee recruitment tool. If your company would like multiple copies for employee relocation purposes, please contact Kayla at 651-265-2766 or Kayla@saintpaulchamber.com.   City Incentives Project Your Chamber is compiling a list of city incentives as a resource for companies looking to relocate, expand or build in the Saint Paul East Metro Area.  The list will include the cities of Maplewood, Roseville, White Bear Lake, Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Mendota Heights, South Saint Paul, Woodbury, Hudson, and Inver Grove Heights, and will be available by the end of May.  Contact Kayla at 651.265.2766 or kayla@saintpaulchamber.com to receive a copy.    Eminent Domain The eminent domain issue is currently being debated by a conference committee at the capitol.  Negotiations on definitions of blight and levels of contamination continue.  A vote is expected in a couple of weeks and the final product will include significant restrictions over current law.    Sponsorship Thank you to this year's economic development contributors: 3M, American Bank, Comcast, Foote&Co., Saint Paul Port Authority, RF Moeller Jeweler, Inc., T.K. Hill, The Saint Paul Hotel and Xcel Energy Inc.     Sponsorship opportunities for the East Metro Area Development News are available.  Sponsors are allowed 50-100 words and a photo.  Please contact Kayla at 651.265.2766 if you are interested.

Space Alerts The Chamber is currently looking for the following on behalf of its customers: #0412-06: An investor looking for 1031 Exchange in East Metro with 30,000-100,000 square feet.  Multi-tenant, mixed use with one loading dock, 20 ft clearance height.  Operational by end of September. #0417-06: European based lifescience company looking for Midwest corporate headquarters. 70,000-100,000 square feet, office, existing or will build to suit.  Prefers to own but will consider leasing.   #0425-06: Reputable large corporation looking for 20 acre site in Saint Paul/East Metro Area.  20 acres, rectangular or trapezoidal shape, zoned light industrial, will build to suit, prefer to own but will consider leasing.    #0502-06:  Company requires warehouse and office facility in Saint Paul/East Metro Area.  Approximately 12,000-14,000 square feet, warehousing with some office, 14 foot minimum ceiling height, 10 parking spots, 1 semi-truck loading dock minimum.  To lease.   Please contact Kayla Job at 651.265.2766  for more information, or with spaces that might fit these requests.  ED Committee Updates April 10, 2006 The committee heard an overview of the South Saint Paul market and the LeVander Estates Project by Jim Hoyt and Kurt Carlson of T.K. Hill Companies.  Gregory Page with the Riverfront Corporation  presented information on the Great River National Park proposal.   May 8, 2006 Tony Schertler, Economic Development director for the City of Saint Paul.   June 12, 2006 Molly McCloskey from Staubach Co. will present on the Diamond Products site.   If you know someone who would like to receive this email please click on forward to a friend.