Summary of the Fergus Falls City Council Work Session (March 26, 2025)

The Fergus Falls City Council Work Session on March 26, 2025, focused on economic development, featuring presentations from Lisa Workman of the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Casey Sanders Berkland, Economic Development Director for West Fargo. The session aimed to inform the council’s vision for economic development, particularly in light of Greater Fergus Falls’ funding challenges, aligning with the community’s desire for growth and vibrancy.

Key Topics Discussed:

Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Report (0:27–43:13):
- Lisa Workman presented the 2024 Chamber of Commerce Annual Report, highlighting the organization’s role in supporting 388 member businesses and nonprofits, representing 12,000 employees. The Chamber conducted 54 business retention visits and celebrated 30 expansions and ribbon cuttings. Key priorities included driving local economic growth (e.g., Shop Moving Groove, Fergus Bucks), leveraging government liaisons, and supporting workforce strategies (e.g., career exploration, internships). A member survey (30% response rate) revealed 88% optimism for 2025, with workforce shortages, cost volatility, and childcare challenges as top concerns. The council discussed the Chamber’s collaboration with Visit Fergus Falls, its role in business retention, and strategies to boost Main Street engagement during events like Shop Moving Groove. The presentation emphasized the Chamber’s role as a community collaborator, not a primary business recruiter.
West Fargo Economic Development Insights (43:24–2:04:54):
- Casey Sanders Berkland shared her role as West Fargo’s Economic Development Director, focusing on supporting all business sectors, not just primary ones, to enhance community diversity and resilience. She operates under the Community and Development Director, collaborating with planning, engineering, and public works. Key discussion points included:
  - Housing and Land Sales: Housing’s role in economic development depends on city priorities, with workforce housing linked to business needs. Selling city-owned lots is viable but requires alignment with planning goals.
  - Incentives and Policies: West Fargo uses short-term incentives like Renaissance Zone tax abatements (5 years or less), TIF, and sales tax-funded programs (e.g., facade improvements, childcare facilities). No formal land sale policy exists, but precedent guides decisions.
  - Business Engagement: Casey conducts 96–120 annual business retention visits, generating leads for new businesses. She collaborates with the EDC and SBDC, using tools like consumer metrics to analyze visitor data (e.g., Bigwood Event Center’s 30,000 annual visits).
  - Funding and Vision: A 0.25% sales tax funds economic development, supported by community vote in 2014. A strategic plan (Westgo 2.0) guides priorities, reviewed regularly to stay proactive.
  - Staff Attributes: Successful economic developers need community passion, relationship-building skills, and resilience to feedback.
- The council explored West Fargo’s funding model, advisory committee structure (nine members with industry slots), and how Casey’s insights could inform Fergus Falls’ economic development strategy, particularly in building regional alliances.
Council Vision and Next Steps (1:56:12–2:04:54):
- The council discussed next steps for economic development, emphasizing three priorities: defining the structure (in-house vs. third-party), securing sustainable funding, and establishing a unified vision. Concerns about Greater Fergus Falls’ funding-driven pause highlighted the need for a stable model. The council proposed public engagement to ensure community buy-in, drawing inspiration from West Fargo’s sales tax success. No formal motions were made, as it was a work session, but the council planned to address these steps at the next meeting.

Why the Meeting May Have Deviated from Typical Expectations:

The meeting was a work session, not a decision-making body, so it focused on information-gathering and discussion rather than approvals, differing from typical council meetings with actionable agendas. The presence of external speakers (Lisa and Casey) and the emphasis on learning from West Fargo’s model extended the dialogue, as council members sought to align insights with Fergus Falls’ unique needs, such as addressing stagnant population growth and fostering a vibrant business community.

What They Spent the Most Time On:

The council spent the most time on West Fargo Economic Development Insights (approximately 81 minutes), as Casey’s presentation provided a comprehensive model for comparison. Extensive questioning on incentives, funding, business engagement, and strategic planning reflected the council’s effort to adapt these strategies to Fergus Falls, particularly in addressing workforce and childcare challenges critical to local businesses.

The Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Report (approximately 43 minutes) also consumed significant time, with discussions on workforce shortages, event impacts, and the Chamber’s collaborative role, aligning with the council’s goal to support existing businesses while planning for growth.

Additional Notes:

Casey’s voluntary participation highlighted the value of regional collaboration, a key takeaway for building alliances in Fergus Falls.
The council’s recognition of staffing challenges (HR, communications, engineering) and the need for a sustainable funding model indicate a cautious, strategic approach to economic development planning.

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by an AI system without added opinions. No claims of accuracy are made, though timestamps are included for reference. For the full context, please view the meeting video on YouTube: [YouTube Video Link Here]. This content is provided by Growth Forge Studio (formerly 4t Creative), dedicated to helping businesses grow.

Summary of the Fergus Falls City Council Work Session (March 26, 2025)