Welcome!

Based on the feedback I am getting, things are going great in the city and we are making Cottage Grove the Largest, Small City in the Metro by providing greater VALUE = more Amenities with controlled Costs. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue to work in this capacity for you.
We have had some amazing accomplishments in the past few years and there are some existing projects and new projects coming along that I would really like to continue working on for you, so I would be very appreciative of your support.
  • One of our greatest accomplishments over the last few years has been the development of an excellent staff or team of leaders to run the City and create a culture and programs that maximize the productivity of the team and the VALUE to it's residents.
  • We have also developed a strategic plan and a program to execute and review that plan in our everyday planning. This Strategic plan creates principles by which decisions are made. By creating an environment where aligned decisions can be made further down in the organization, a higher level of productivity can be achieved. We truly have now gone from Great to GREATER.

Our STRATEGIC PLAN focuses on:
  1. MANAGING FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH
  2. REFORMING ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
  3. BECOMING A RECREATION DESTINATION
  4. ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY

  • ​​We have kept the budget, and more importantly your property taxes in check. Since 2013 our tax rates have gone from 45.0% down to 37.1% in 2022 - an 15% decrease. Tax Rates   Depending on the change in value of your home you may have seen a decrease or increase during those years but the tax rate is what we can control and it has gone down - something I focus on alot. Adding new homes and businesses increases the amount of money we have to spend on amenities while minimizing increases in your individual taxes - creating greater VALUE.
  • ​We again achieved an A++ rating, which we have done each of the years I have been on Council. This allows us borrow money at a lower rate or greater returns and less burden on the resident = VALUE
  • I have always said we need to make our "soil fertile for good industry to sprout". We have accomplished that with shovel ready sites and AUAR studies that significantly short-cut the time it takes for businesses to "take root" and start the inflow of cash to take advantage of their investment in our community.
  • The park has about 1,700 acres. NorthPoint is approximately 1800 Full Time jobs at the current building out of phase 1 which is 252 acres. Renewal added 300 with recent expansion and is over 1,100. North Point, phase 1 is about 34M sq ft and Endeavor, Enclave, Capp Industry, and Rayn Co. will add about another 1M sq ft and the value over all in the park is over $2.5B. This information does not include 3M acreage, jobs, or property taxes. Northpoint is included in the acreage and jobs. More info at Industrial Park Facts
  • Jobs numbers are estimates The 2022 property tax revenue collected from the business park residents accounts for 3% of the property tax levy. 
  • So that crop is definately growing and more good industrial businesses = more good jobs = more revenue for the city and results in more good restaurants and retail =VALUE.
  • We are making sure that Cottage Grove is capable of serving it's residents by providing Public Safety personnel the proper tools and facilities at the right time. This has allowed us to respond to the challenges of COVID and coming out of it in a much stronger postion than most other cities. Our Public Safety personnel have responded proactively and effectively to potential threatening situstions. 
  • We are reaching out to the residents in an effort to get as many of you involved in making this city great. There are many of you that have volunteered their services on Commissions, committees, task forces and boards of Community Organizations like Lions, Public Safety Board, Yellow Ribbons among many others  -THANK-YOU It all contributes to a stronger community. And as I talk to other residents it is encouraging how most are very involved in their neighborhoods and their community! 

So, again I would really appreciate the opportunity to continue to work on these and new projects and visions. I am excited about continuing this journey AND still passionate about making CG the best place to live.
And I do it without any other political agendas or biases. 
Let’s continue to make it happen – GO CG!!

Thanks for your support! 

Dave Thiede
651-331-9995
thiededj@gmail.com

About this site
This website is intended to tell you a bit about me, keep you informed about what is happening in the city activities I am involved in, and provide a communication channel between you—the people of Cottage Grove—and me.

What do I mean when I say I want Cottage Grove to be the largest SMALL CITY in the Metro? Go to my Principles page to find out.

I am not much of a FACEBOOKer but check out my page and "friend request" me and I will work on providing feedback and information.

About me
​My experience in Cottage Grove: I have been on the Council for 12 years. I served on the Planning Commission (2 consecutive terms – 5 years) andand Public Works Comm. I am ready to continue to serve on the City Council if you’ll have me!

My family: I have a wonderful wife named Cindy who I've been married to for 40+ years, two twins sons named Matt and Dan who have PhD's (graduated from Park) in 2003, and a daughter named Sarah who was in Park's Class of 2009. I also have a daughter in law - Jennifer, two Grandkids - Owen and Ella and a son in law Rilee.

Learn more: Please take a few moments to learn about my Principles, Where I Stand on Key Issues, updates from Facebook, AND my résumé. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or just want to chat. Thanks!

You can also send a donation to Citizens for Dave Thiede, 7393 Hidden Valley Trl S, Cottage Grove MN 55016.

THIS SITE PAID FOR BY CITIZENS FOR DAVE THIEDE