BL serious about development

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 06:00 a.m., May 17, 2008

It’s one thing for a community to say it has a committee working on economic development. More impressive is when a community of people — in this case the Battle Lake area — rolls up its sleeves and comes up with a 38-page tactical plan for economic development.

Enter the Lakes Area Development Association (LADA) formed in Battle Lake just two months ago, in March. The tactical plan will guide people and economic development activities for the next several years in the Battle Lake area.

“Over the course of several months, we’ve had more than 50 people framing up a compelling vision for economic expansion in the lakes area,” said Dan Malmstrom, a Battle Lake native who, with his wife, Lisa, operate North Point Professionals, a strategic and business services firm that’s leading the planning effort.

LADA was formed to address primary factors affecting the Battle Lake area.

One goal is to diversify the lakes area economy with businesses that are capable of exporting goods and services. The idea behind this effort is to augment what Malmstrom refers to as “tourism economics.”

Another goal is to capitalize on the quality of life that attracts many people to the lakes area in all four seasons of the year.

“Commuters and telecommuters have been relocating to the area by natural draw for the past several years,” Malmstrom said. “The lakes area offers an environmental and artistic culture where people love to live. Through LADA we’ve unveiled marketing and community infrastructure plans to fuel this trend — with fervor.”

Community, city, township and business leaders will work to ensure this economic expansion does not happen in random fashion, Malmstrom said.

“We’re cooperative, selective and intentional regarding how such development occurs,” he said. “Our area’s beauty and proximity to major transportation networks will make the Battle Lake area uniquely attractive to expansion during the next decade.”

To that end, LADA’s role will be dependent upon strong collaboration among many stakeholders in the area.

“Our association has already experienced notable teamwork from people representing Battle Lake and the surrounding townships,” said Shawn Frank, president of LADA. “Many men and women have spent countless hours talking, listening and working together to make sure we get this right.”

The 50 LADA participants have become members of focus teams to develop pinpoint approaches to business attraction, community and infrastructure enhancements and comprehensive marketing.

“These teams are working very hard to determine the key activities that must be done now, and over the next few years, to see this exciting vision take shape,” Frank said.

As an example, the business team is assembling programs and incentives to attract other key target segments beyond telecommuters. These include health care firms to serve the “aging at home” trend — an inherent attribute of the lakes economy.

Additionally, this team has planning efforts underway related to new housing developments, an enhanced beach complex and a comprehensive bike and trail system connected to Glendalough State Park northeast of Battle Lake.

“These are not necessarily new concepts,” Frank said, “but are now being sequenced in the context of a very clear plan. Longer-term considerations include Lake Avenue enhancements and airport amenities to support business and lifestyles in the years ahead.”

The key priorities that will be launched this summer include a compelling LADA web site, which should go live by the first week in June, and key public relations and marketing promotions.

“People will begin to see evidence of LADA’s marketing around the Memorial Day weekend,” Frank said. “This will continue throughout the summer as many prospective professionals, employers and families experience the lakes.”

LADA also is beginning to provide assistive guidance to businesses that are currently considering expansion to the lakes area. Members look forward to addressing others who are certain to emerge during the summer months.

Thinking longer term, LADA will evaluate more complex initiatives to sustain economic and community vitality. An example is a common lakes area foundation that could serve the many area non-profit organizations and the school district — from one entity.

“We envision professional and industrial parks integrated into the townships,” Malmstrom said, “and more community spaces to serve families and the aging population in this area.”

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