Minnesota Business Developments

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

Northern

Washington-based Silicon Energy plans to build a $6.1 million photovoltaic solar plant at an industrial park in Mountain Iron. Construction of the 25,000 square foot, solar panel manufacturing plant is slated for completion in early 2011. About 40 construction workers will be needed for the project. Once open, the plant will initially employ 17 to 21 people in production and four to five people in finance and marketing.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program (MJSP) awarded a $193,859 grant to support training for 70 Marvin Windows and Doors employees in Warroad. The funding will enable MJSP, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and Marvin Windows and Doors to work together to train employees for highly skilled custom woodcraft positions. Under the one-year grant, woodcraft technicians will be trained in manufacturing processes, print reading and math review, CAM/CNC, and construction methods. This training will support the company’s succession planning by developing highly skilled employees ready to step into positions vacated by retirements.

Groundbreaking occurred on an eight-acre site in Hoyt Lakes for a $2.1 million, 20-unit senior housing facility. The development, known as Northland Village-Hoyt Lakes, is a 14,000 square foot project consisting of two 7,000-square-foot residence buildings connected by a large gathering room. Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. is the general contractor on the project, which is slated for completion in the spring of 2011.

DEED awarded the city of Duluth a redevelopment grant of $664,780 for infrastructure costs associated with redeveloping an 8.7-acre site. The site is currently occupied by several commercial buildings and will be redeveloped into approximately 76,000 square feet of commercial space in three new buildings. This project is expected to create 60 new jobs and retain 48 jobs

Central

The new Kohl’s department store has opened in Cambridge. The 65,000 square foot store, which is located on the east side of Cambridge, created about 130 new jobs for the area. Kohl’s now has a total of 1,089 stores in 49 states.

Twin Cities Metro

Work has begun on an $8.5 million expansion and energy-efficiency upgrades at J & J Distributing in St. Paul. A transporter of wholesale vegetables and fruits to grocery stores in the Twin Cities, J & J plans to add about 150 jobs as a result of the 20,000-square-foot expansion. The energy upgrades include energy-efficient lighting and installation of three energy climate systems to replace 44 inefficient refrigeration units. The project also includes the construction of an onsite greenhouse which is expected to produce 220,000 pounds of tomatoes and other produce annually.

Plans are under way to build a 510-room Radisson Blu hotel at the Mall of America. The $115 million project is scheduled to break ground in December, and completion is slated for late 2012.

A $42.2 million construction and renovation project is planned for the Minnesota Veterans Home’s Minneapolis campus. The three-phase project includes renovation of a 40 year old building and demolition and replacement of another building. Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in August 2011 with completion slated for February 2012.

DEED awarded the city of Oakdale a redevelopment grant of $1,383,340 for infrastructure costs associated with redeveloping a 17.89 acre site. The site is currently occupied by a vacant shopping mall and will be redeveloped into 125,000 square feet of commercial space and 275 housing units. This project is expected to create 50 new jobs and retain 25 jobs.

Southern

The DEED MJSP awarded a $321,853 grant to support training for 300 IBM employees in Rochester. The funding will enable MJSP, Rochester Community and Technical College, and IBM to work together to train employees for the company’s “Smarter Planet” initiative. Under the two year grant, software engineers, research-and-development engineers, sales architects, and consulting services staff will be trained in three areas: smart sensors, network connectivity, and quantitative analysis. This training will support the company’s anticipated growth and allow employees to develop their skills and advance within the company.

DEED awarded the city of Canby a redevelopment grant of $120,000 for infrastructure costs associated with redeveloping a 1.04 acre site. The site was formerly residential and will be redeveloped into 23,800 square feet of office space and parking. This project is expected to create 15 new jobs and retain 27 jobs.

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