City of Rosemount Hosts Business Appreciation Luncheon

Local business owners and managers gathered at the in Rosemount for the city's Business Appreciation Luncheon Thursday.

The goal of the luncheon was to thank everyone for doing business in Rosemount, Mayor Bill Droste said.

Business owners and managers socialized, enjoyed a catered lunch provided by local restaurant , heard an update on city projects from Droste and Port Authority chair and City Councilman Jeff Weisensel provided information on some of the city's economic development implementation strategies.

Droste discussed the , which was unveiled on Oct. 25, as well other possible developments surrounding UMore Park.

There may be an opportunity for a unique housing development once the graveling onsite is done, Droste said. 

He also told attendees about new companies such as  coming to Rosemount as well as redeveloping the previously-owned Webb site within the next year or so.

"We're very excited about this," Droste said. 

Concerning the new senior housing development, Droste said construction on that could begin mid-year of next year.

"It was an element we're missing in our community," Droste said. 

In addition, the YMCA is considering moving into Rosemount near . However, the city is in the very early stages with the Y.

"The YMCA does not build services unless the community is very supportive," Droste said. 

The city will want to hear back from the community to see if it is something people would like to have in Rosemount.

Weisensel said the Port Authority wants "Rosemount [to] become the preferred regional magnet and development hub for innovation, emerging and sustainable technologies in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. 

Some of the focus areas for the Port Authority will be:

• Existing business retention and growth
• UMore Park 
• Downtown development
• Industrial/Business (and Technology) Park
• Commercial amenities

"I find all of these things encouraging and especially for businesses to see we're a vital community for businesses to be in," Weisensel said. 

"There are many optimists here," Droste chimed in.

According to Community Development Director Kim Lindquist, the city's first business appreciation luncheon was in 2008.

"The City wanted to reach out to the business community and thank them for being a part of the community. There is often a lot of focus in attracting new businesses into a city [and] the Council wanted to make sure existing businesses knew they were appreciated," Lindquist said.