2012-02-28 Industrial Park Business
5959 Main Avenue NE, Albertville, MN 55301 (763) 497-3384
Industrial Park Business February 28, 2011 Meeting Agenda and Notes
1)Overview of Meeting and Introductions
2)Business update – Economic trends (What trends are you seeing in 2012?)
3)I-94 Construction update
4)City Visioning Study- Alan Brixius
5)Employment – Finding qualified workers and workforce housing
6)City Industrial Park Shovel Ready Lots- Tax Increment Financing
7)Albertville Economic Development Authority Promotion
8)Wright County Economic Development Partnership
9)Minnesota’s Economic Trends
Present were: Brian Buhl of Intex Corp, Jon Edwards of Scherrer Brothers, Baxter Stephensen of Fraser
Steel, Jon Lee and Pete Parks of Mold Tech, Alan Brixius, Albertville City Planner, Larry Kruse City
Administrator and Ted LaFrance of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership.
City Administrator Kruse opened the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and stated the City is
interested in hearing how the City can better serve our Industrial Park Businesses and learning if there
are opportunities to help them grow and prosper.
Attendees introduced themselves and explained their businesses. There was somewhat of a common
theme in that most businesses had a very difficult time in 2008, but since then it has been going
gangbusters. Most businesses are operating at capacity with significant overtime and temporary
positions. They all expressed a difficult time finding enough qualified employees. Most have vacant
positions.
One of the businesses commented that the STMA School has been very supportive of their business
providing High School training that equips students to attend Alexandria Technical School where they
get the more advance training to qualify for manufacturing jobs.
City Planner Alan Brixius explained the City’s Visioning process he is working on. The businesses stated
they like Albertville’s access to I-94, railroad access, and good work ethic, being in Wright County and
not Hennepin County, close proximity to the metro, yet a small town.
City of Albertville
February 28, 2012 Meeting Notes
Page 2 of 2
Ted LaFrance of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership shared that they are
there to assist with business development and have a revolving loan fund. He has a number of
business assistance program or contacts for others to assist. Ted mentioned that there is a Job
Fair coming up in March in Monticello as follows:
Job Fair Information:
Showcase Your Business to an available Workforce at the 8th ANNUAL CENTRAL MINNESOTA AREA
JOB FAIR 2012 on Thursday, April 5, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Monticello High School, 5225
School Blvd Monticello. Each booth measures 8’ x 10’ and includes one 8’ table, two chairs, tablecloth,
piping, drapes, and a sign with your company name. Cost is $175.00 per booth. To register and be
included in the employer’s directory you must return your registration form and payment by March 23,
2012. To sign up call Tim at 763-271-3722 or Brad at 320-308-5364.
Kruse reviewed the upcoming I-94 Interchange Project layout with the group and assured them
that construction will not hinder traffic as most of the construction is off-line and the freeway
and its ramps will be open at all times.
Kruse said the City has four shovel ready industrial lots for sale in the Barthel Industrial Park.
The City has invested $1,000,000 to install road, water, sewer, storm sewer, regional storm water
ponding and has mass graded the lots. The City will make Tax Increment Financing available to
assist with the land cost for qualified businesses. Depending on the value of the development,
TIF can reimburse the business for a significant amount.
All who attended said they learned a lot, enjoyed meeting their neighbors, identified with other
businesses challenges and would like to meet again to build a working relationship. The
consensus is to schedule another meeting in the near future.
Larry Kruse
P.O. Box 9
Albertville, MN 55301
(763) 497-3384 ext 100
P:\\Committees\\EDA\\2012\\2012-02-28 Industrial Park Businesses Meeting.doc