Minnesota Business Developments

by Rhonda Mix - rhonda.mix@state.mn.us
December  2010

Northern

Northstar Agri Industries, LLC, plans to build a $160 million canola processing plant in Hallock. The project will create more than 200 skilled jobs during construction. Slated for completion in 2012, the plant will provide 47 full-time jobs.

The Bigfork Valley Hospital plans to build a 12,400-square-foot addition to its facility in Bigfork. The $4 million project will include a new public dining room and an expanded wellness area. The project is slated for completion in the fall of 2011.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded a $787,904 Contamination Cleanup grant to the city of Cloquet to redevelop a 1.14-acre site. The site was formerly used for wood storage for paper mills and for an auto dealership. The land will be redeveloped into a 40,000-square-foot county community services center that allows for the retention of 142 jobs.

DEED awarded a $418,158 Contamination Cleanup grant to the city of Duluth for a 0.52-acre site, previously used for industrial purposes. Site redevelopment will include demolition of the existing building and construction of a 14,500-square-foot building with a restaurant, brewery, and retail space. The redevelopment is expected to create 30 jobs.

The Duluth Economic Development Authority was awarded a $482,281 DEED Contamination Cleanup grant for a 16.1-acre site, formerly the Universal Atlas Cement Plant. Site redevelopment will include construction of 65,000 square feet of industrial space in two new buildings and installation of utilities and a public road. The project is expected to create 77 jobs and retain 20 jobs.

The city of Perham was awarded $4 million in funds under the new Transportation Economic Development (TED) Pilot Program, designed to improve roads, create jobs, and encourage economic development in the state. The TED program was launched by DEED and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The funding for the city of Perham will pay for construction of an interchange for an existing overpass at U.S. Highway 10. The project will provide better access to Barrel O’ Fun, Tuffy’s Pet Foods, Kenny’s Candies, and a new hospital. The project will result in the creation of 240 jobs.

Central

Planning for growth, the online bank, ING Direct, is hiring 40 more people after adding 104 workers at its St. Cloud location in 2010. The hiring at the St. Cloud location is occurring in sales, information technology, customer operations, and other areas.

Twin Cities Metro

The St. Paul Port Authority was awarded $50,000 in investigation funds, from DEED’s Contamination Cleanup grant program, for a 5.23-acre site, which was once part of a dump. The site will be redeveloped into a 35,500-square-foot facility that will enable Viking Drill and Tool to expand. The redevelopment is expected to create 42 jobs and retain 164 jobs.

Southern

DEED awarded a $39,843 grant to train employees of Johnson Memorial Health Services about lean workplace practices. The grant, which was funded by DEED’s Minnesota Job Skills Partnership program, will provide customized training at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Johnson Memorial Health Services, which is located in Dawson, consists of a clinic, hospital, care center, home care agency, and ambulance service. The training will focus on eliminating waste and identifying steps that add value to delivering health care. A total of 49 employees, consisting of certified nursing assistants, nurses, lab and radiology technicians, and administrative staff, will participate in the training.

The city of Worthington was awarded $3.3 million under the TED program to extend a four-lane divided section of U.S. Highway 59 by another 1,200 feet. Turning lanes and other small projects are also planned to improve access to a new 750-acre industrial/commercial park and a bioscience park. Bedford Technologies is planning to expand in the industrial park. The park is expected to create 440 jobs in the next five years.

The city of Zumbrota was awarded $1.15 million under the TED program to improve existing roads and upgrade and add utilities along county road 68. The improvements will provide safer access to U.S. Highway 52 for VersaCold, a cold-storage business, and allow for future industrial development in the area. VersaCold is planning a 75,000-square-foot expansion that will add 25 jobs.

The city of St. Charles was awarded $570,000 under the TED program to pay for roads, turning lanes, and utilities in a new 20-acre industrial park planned for an area adjacent to Interstate 90 off state Route 74. Active Tool and Die and Robotics Redefined/Excel Manufacturing have expressed interest in moving to the park and adding a total of 45 jobs.

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