City staff received a number of phone calls and letters regarding the potential expansion of Culver’s restaurants to Luverne. A large number of the items raised in the conversations and letters is based on misinformation, innuendo and rumor. For the record we would note the following.oCulver’s approached the city regarding the potential expansion project. The city did not seek to bring a Culver’s restaurant to Luverne.oCity staff supported the potential project from several perspectives: 1) the expansion was consistent with a high priority identified by residents during the Comprehensive Plan process, namely, the addition of another "family type restaurant" to the community; 2) the expansion provided a significant opportunity to attract substantial additional traffic off the Interstate which would benefit numerous other businesses: 3) the addition of a $1 million facility and an annual payroll of $350,000 would have a significant positive impact on the city; and 4) the involvement of the city in the project would result in a higher investment return on city funds than the city could otherwise obtain.oThe city proposed to waive the electric demand charge for the Verne Drive-In for the months of April, May and October. The Verne Drive-In would continue to pay all other normal monthly electric charges just like any other business. oThe Drive-In is a great asset to the city and the entire community as it draws a large audience from an extended regional area. oOffering a small incentive to encourage the Drive-In to stay open longer benefits the entire community. (The exact number of customers in last week’s Star Herald was inaccurately presented, considering some customers are paying adults, and some are children. Those numbers were presented at the LEDA meeting.) Many consumers going to the Drive-In stop to eat at local food retailers; customers buy gas at local establishments; and some even come early to do a little shopping.oCity staff is considering waiving the electric demand charge as a business incentive, regardless of a Culver’s Restaurant opening. We tend to think of "community" as a group of people working together for a common goal. In regard to economic development, our common goal is to make Luverne a better place to live, visit and run a business. We value our existing businesses and understand that they are the base of our community, and we will strive to assist them in being successful. We would also like to welcome new businesses that we feel would be a good fit in our community and would complement our existing businesses.We also value your input and encourage a "working together" attitude rather than a "working against" attitude. Any comments or suggestions about the economic development in our community would be greatly appreciated. The city of Luverne is a great community to be a part of; it offers wonderful opportunities and has great potential for growth and expansion. We are working on potential opportunities for the city, and in order for its success, we need to take a united approach and work together for the common good of our community.
