Economic Development Authority

The role of the Forest Lake Economic Development Authority is to help existing and new businesses grow and thrive.

Fostering a Prosperous Environment


The City of Forest Lake values and supports the recruitment and retention of businesses by fostering an environment where businesses can prosper. Ongoing efforts include: 

  • Identifying opportunities for redevelopment and potential funding sources
  • Facilitating business attraction to Forest Lake
  • Working to ensure residential growth within the city
The City of Forest Lake and the Economic Development Authority partner with the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to help accomplish these goals.


The Economic Development Authority maintains a website that focuses specifically on businesses looking to locate to Forest Lake.  It also focuses on current businesses looking to expand.  The site warehouses information such as:

  • Current incentive programs
  • City owned property for sale
  • Area information
You can find the site at:  www.investinforestlake.com

Contact Information for Economic Development


For additional information on relocating or expanding your business in Forest Lake contact Patrick Casey, City Administrator.



Open to Business sign

Open for Business


Washington County has partnered with the MCCD Open to Business Program to offer resources to small and emerging businesses in the areas of financing, licensing, and strategy.  The Open to Business program has office hours at the Forest Lake City Center on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.  If you would like to schedule a meeting with Open to Business Program, contact Tyler Hilsabeck at thilsabeck@mccdmn.org.

For more information on the Open to Business Program please visit: www.opentobusinessmn.org
Downtown Planning

Downtown Planning

The City of Forest Lake has launched a downtown planning process to create a vision and long-term investment framework for Forest Lake’s downtown district. The planning process is currently in the information gathering stage leading up to creating statements of vision and values for downtown’s future. The community is asked to provide their opinions and thoughts about downtown by visiting the project’s website.