CEDA

Article by Cris Gastner

Envirolastech Inc., a recycled materials manufacturer building its new plant in St. Charles, MN, has been awarded a grant designation from the Job Creation Fund Program through the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development. The company is scheduled to add 26 jobs over the next 2 years after opening its new 3 million dollar manufacturing plant in the City of St. Charles. CEDA Senior Vice President Cris Gastner worked with company executives to complete the application.  If Envirolastech attains the job creation and construction projections, the company is set to receive a grant award totaling $183,766.

“Envirolastech is bringing needed employment investment to a community that was devastated when North Star Foods closed after a fire in 2009,” said Shawntera Hardy, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “The company, with its innovative products, has much promise and is well positioned for growth in the green-building sector.”

If all goes according to plan, the company will invest just over $1 million in construction of its new building and fill it with over $2 million in equipment that will be used to manufacture construction products such as waterproof decking, siding, and paver blocks out of used glass and plastic.

Envirolastech won the clean technology category in the Minnesota Cup competition in 2012. Minnesota Cup is the largest statewide startup competition in the country.  Each year the MN Cup competition awards over $400 thousand in prize money to start-up companies in MN.

In 2015, CEDA was awarded a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to study opportunities for regional marketing in southeastern Minnesota in light of the growth projected for the region over the next 10-20+ years. The project brought regional stakeholders together to discuss the region over 6 stakeholder meetings.  Stakeholders discussed opportunities to better collaborate to promote the region and enhance our already high-standard of life.

The information gathered is available below to be utilized as a resource for the betterment of the region and has been shared with other regional organizations for their use on regional marketing efforts.  CEDA Vice President Chris Giesen led the project with asstiance from Community and Business Develpment Specailists Sherry Hines, Ryan Yetzer, and Courtney Bergey, Director of Marketing Joya Stetson, and Director of Training Tom Monson.  A special thanks to Journey to Growth and Destination Medical Center for their support and assistance.

If you haven’t already reviewed the final report, it is available at the link below:

Regional Marketing Study

The City of Stewartville, MN is widely known for its variety of scenic and well-designed parks that are located throughout the community. City officials and staff have developed and cared for the touted amenities as a large part of their efforts to continuously promote community vitality and quality of life for the City’s 6,252 residents, regional visitors, and local businesses. Due to the dedication of City staff, CEDA team member Joya Stetson and the City’s forward-thinking Park Board, in the spring of 2017, children requiring handicap accessible playground equipment will be able to utilize the facilities. 

Stetson, who serves the City’s Economic Development Authority, worked closely with Finance Director Barb Neubauer in successfully authoring grants to assist with the project’s completion. The City received $1,000 from Kwik Trip and $1,000 from People’s Energy Cooperative’s Operation Round Up^® program.

The Park Board identified the need for accessible playground equipment due to the fact that none of the City’s parks currently contain handicap accessible equipment. “These parks are all open to the public, and it is important to the City and its respective boards that all families within the community have access to viable options for outdoor play and recreation,” said City Administrator Bill Schimmel.  The Park Board has expressed a willingness to explore expanded plans that would include additional accessible equipment to better serve all community members and users.

Relevantly, enrollment in the Stewartville, MN school district and early childhood programs has been steadily increasing.  Numbers are presently totaling 2,461 students. The need for this project was further evidenced by the number of individuals who would directly benefit. According to 2016 numbers, the Stewartville school district serves 282 students in its special education department.  Of this number, 10-20% possess physical impairments and 55 enrollees are considered to be severely multiply impaired.

The City will add two ADA compliant, handicap accessible swings, footings, and compressed depth engineered wood fiber surfacing next year. The equipment has been purchased, and installation will occur in early 2017.

October 2-8, 2016 was designated as Minnesota Manufacturing Week.  Statewide, businesses were recognized for their contributions to the local economies.  Many CEDA representatives organized public events to showcase these “made in Minnesota” producers and their State and respective community’s appreciation.  Among those participating were: Blooming Prairie, MN; Chatfield, MN; Claremont, MN; Harmony, MN; Lake City, MN; Lewiston, MN; Preston, MN and Stewartville, MN.

The Blooming Prairie, MN Annual Manufacturers’ Luncheon was hosted on October 5 jointly by the City’s Economic Development Authority and Chamber of Commerce. Attendees heard from Workforce Development, Inc. on trends in the area workforce and tools available to assist in growing talent in a competitive environment. At the event, certificates of recognition from the Minnesota Governor’s Office were presented to six local manufacturers. Click here for more on this story.

Chatfield, MN distributed certificates of recognition from Governor Dayton’s office to local manufacturers in order to emphasize his appreciation for their contribution to the local and State economy.  CEDA team member Chris Giesen visited Strongwell of Chatfield, Tuohy Furniture, EZ Fabricating and Chosen Valley Canoe Accessories.

On October 13, Claremont, MN Economic Development Authority Board member Romell Matejcek and CEDA team member Tom Monson visited three local manufacturers. Each manufacturer was presented with a certificate of recognition from the Minnesota Governor’s Office. The businesses were thanked for their investments in the community. All three manufacturers are in the midst of planned site expansions.

CEDA team member Chris Giesen visited local businesses in Harmony, MN to appreciate manufacturers in the community with certificates of recognition from the Minnesota Governor’s office. Solberg Welding and Harmony Enterprises were the recipients of these certificates.

A public celebration of all of Lake City, MN manufacturers was held at Lake City City Hall on Monday, October 3. The event, which was hosted by CEDA team member Lisa Babington, included a presentation of certificates of recognition signed by Governor Mark Dayton for all Lake City manufacturers, and a special presentation on Pepin Heights Orchards’ history and accomplishments.

Lewiston, MN acknowledged PlastiCert and Riverside Electronics during Manufacturing Week 2016. CEDA team member Sam Smith, who serves the City of Lewiston’s Economic Development Authority, will be presenting certificates of recognition from Governor Dayton’s office in the coming weeks alongside City officials.

Preston, MN manufacturers and agri-businesses were recognized with certificates of recognition from Governor Dayton’s office at Preston City Hall by the City’s Economic Development Authority in a ceremony led by CEDA team member Cathy Enerson. Attendees received valuable information about DEED grants for various types of training programs, State and USDA Value Added Producer Grant information, and sales tax rebate programs.

The City of Stewartville, MN visited each of its six local manufacturers to deliver certificates of recognition from Governor Dayton’s office.  CEDA team member Joya Stetson along with City staff and other attendees also emphasized the Economic Development Authority’s appreciation of manufacturing employees with large vinyl banners. The excitement of the event attracted attention from KTTC and Rochester Rising who each produced pieces on the City’s creative efforts:

http://www.kttc.com/story/33334200/2016/10/Thursday/stewartville-honors-local-businesses-during-national-manufacturing-week

http://www.rochesterrising.org/main/1ohsd9jpsyrypquu0h9jpommli4ydn