Mendota Heights State of the City Pushes for Business Development in 2012

The city of Mendota Heights is in “great shape,” according to Mayor Sandra Krebsbach, who gave a State of the City address Wednesday morning at .

The event was sponsored by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Krebsbach called the theme of 2012 “Moving on Opportunities,” while the theme of 2011 was “Securing the Future.”

Krebsbach outlined achievements for the city, including settlement of  a lawsuit with the , installation of new , and various awards and accolades of the city and .

She also recognized that the city’s leadership, both elected and not elected, transitioned in 2011 following 2010’s city council elections and the hiring of .

2012 Goals

Looking forward, Krebsbach said the greatest opportunity for growth in 2012 is development of the city’s industrial park in the southwest corner of the city.

Industrial property makes up 3.8 percent of the city’s taxable market value, while residential property makes up 78 percent.

Attracting corporate headquarters to Mendota Heights is also a goal for city officials, said Krebsbach.

“We’re so pleased with the business perspective that the mayor highlighted,” said Ruthe Batulis, president of Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The growth of the business community and the growth of the business park is very important to the entire region.”

Mendota Heights is a net contributor to the metro area’s fiscal disparities program, and Krebsbach said the city will also be pursuing opportunities to recoup some of the money the city pays in. The fiscal disparities program redistributes a portion of the commercial and industrial tax base growth in the metro area based on tax value per capita.

To see the full presentation, see the attached PDF. 

The was given in conjunction with that of West St. Paul at the Dakota County Western Service Center.