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
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3.
Planning & pre-construction
• Organizing
• Education
• Advocacy
• Connection to decision making
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4.
Planning & pre-construction
• Outcomes
• Greater business participation, awareness, &
preparedness
• Focus on immediate survival needs
• Mitigation funding – Ready for Rail loans
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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
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6.
Post-construction & beyond
Objectives: recovery & capturing opportunities
• Available programs & resources
• Civic participation
• Placemaking & asset building
• Growing businesses
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7.
AEDA’s strengths
• Connection & knowledge of the community
• Relevant cultural skills
• Founded by the businesses we serve
• Ability to bridge across barriers & differences
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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
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9.
Va-Megn Thoj
Contact:
vamegn@aeda-mn.org
www.aeda-mn.org
www.LittleMekong.com
facebook.com/LittleMekong
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