RV 2014: Mind Our Dust- Supporting Businesses During Construction by Va-Megn Thoj
Mind Our Dust: Supporting Businesses During Construction AICP CM 1.5 Supporting existing businesses during transit construction is a priority. Transit agencies, regional and city partners across the country have developed a wide array of assistance programs to keep businesses well-positioned during construction. What works? What doesn't? How do you get businesses to take advantage of the programs early and well in advance of construction? Explore a variety of programs with a wide range of services including how to carve out budget for business support initiatives, way-finding/directional signage, marketing, business counseling, technical assistance, loan programs, grants and peer-to-peer forums. Learn how to use support from partners to customize programs for each unique community. Moderator: Terry J. Gruver, Vice President, HDR | InfraConsult, Phoenix, Arizona Va-Megn Thoj, Executive Director, Asian Economic Development Association, St. Paul, Minnesota Jennifer Koozer, Community Affairs Representative, Trimet, Portland, Oregon Ellen Muller, Economic Development Manager, City of Saint Paul, Department of Planning and Economic Development, St. Paul, Minnesota
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RV 2014: Mind Our Dust- Supporting Businesses During Construction by Va-Megn Thoj
- 1. Va-Megn Thoj, Executive Director, Asian Economic Development Association www.aeda-mn.org, www.LittleMekong.com Rail~Volution 2014 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
- 2. AEDA’s business support during CCLRT/Green Line development • Planning & pre-construction • Construction • Post-construction and beyond 2
- 3. Planning & pre-construction • Organizing • Education • Advocacy • Connection to decision making 3
- 4. Planning & pre-construction • Outcomes • Greater business participation, awareness, & preparedness • Focus on immediate survival needs • Mitigation funding – Ready for Rail loans 4
- 5. Construction Objectives: mitigating loss of access, physical damages; greater access to resources • Communication • Mitigation resources • Monitor & troubleshoot [include link here] • Connecting businesses to decision making 5
- 6. Post-construction & beyond Objectives: recovery & capturing opportunities • Available programs & resources • Civic participation • Placemaking & asset building • Growing businesses 6
- 7. AEDA’s strengths • Connection & knowledge of the community • Relevant cultural skills • Founded by the businesses we serve • Ability to bridge across barriers & differences 7
- 8. Lessons learned • Invest in empowering & working with organizations in underrepresented communities • Build relationships with business owners • Recognize the need for assistance & mitigation • Commit to emergency assistance resources 8
Editor's Notes
- Many players worked to support businesses – including coalitions, committees, govt, foundations & nonprofits; AEDA’s work happened in phases and responded to the stages of CCLRT development. This allowed us to focus on the present while thinking about the future and long-term/short term outcomes
- Organizing – outreach, engagement to increase participation Education – LRT project, planning, and impacts; workshops, 1-1 Advocacy – resources needed for mitigation and assistance Connection – connecting businesses with decision makers; meetings w/ Peter Bell and Rogoff
- Outcomes: mitigation fund Ready for Rail; Met Council monthly business impact report Focus on mitigating immediate impact and survival needs (vs phasing, TA, marketing)
- Mitigation resources – access to loans-ready 4 rail, parking improvements; On the Green Line marketing workshops; signage, language access; connecting businesses to biz development resources,; liaison for contractor & Met Council outreach personnel Communication -construction updates/timeline (closures, etc), facilitated increased engagement by contractor, brought stories from the ground to Met Council, Monitoring and documentation - provided a different picture of impact on businesses, e.g. over 300 disruptions reported- 11 got reported to hotline Hotline – monitor Connection - connecting biz to public officials, project staff, and construction contractor, (e.g business roundtable with Chair Haigh; MAI Spine Center MRI issues) Monitoring report on website
- City & other program offerings – awareness & participation in these programs, Little Mekong, night market Business TA, façade improvements,
- Communication, trust, and understanding
- Working with community organizations – create the foundation to work with community orgs and leaders Building relationships - start early; ability to see from business owners perspective; possible for transit agency/contractor Emergency assistance - When the shovel hits the dirt, sometimes financial assistance is the only way to prevent losses
- Monitoring report on AEDA’s website [include link]