PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Friday, October 3, 2008

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

T.O. Plastics & BTD Manufacturing will expand
into Gateway North Business Center in Otsego

Otter Tail Corporation of Fergus Falls , MN has made the decision to expand two of its manufacturing businesses into a site in Otsego. They have recently chosen Gateway North Business Center , a Duke Realty property, which is located along the east side of Highway 101 about half a mile north of the Crow River in Wright County . Gateway North is a master-planned, industrial-zoned business park with a controlled environment.

TO Plastics, a manufacturer of medical products packaging, which has been located in Clearwater and is owned by Otter Tail will be part of the move to Otsego. TO Plastics will continue operating at its location in Clearwater , but has made the decision to expand into the Otsego location in part because Otter Tail wants to combine it along with another of its other manufacturing business, BTD Manufacturing.

BTD Manufacturing is headquartered in Detroit Lakes and is moving their New Hope location into the Otsego location. Among other things, they make products for the wind-energy and agriculture markets. As a complete one-stop shop, BTD offers design, engineering, prototyping and short-run functions, metal stamping, robotic and hand welding, spot welding, finishing machining, riveting, assembly, plating, heat treating and special packaging. With this acquisition, BTD now employs more than 580 people across its three Minnesota locations and in Illinois . BTD is considered by some to be one of the largest non-automotive metal parts fabrication shops in the U.S.

According to Duke Realty, BTD Manufacturing, Inc. and T.O. Plastics, Inc. have entered into a long-term lease for Gateway North. There still are 120 acres available for build-to-suit projects with options to lease, own, or lease with a purchase option.

The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.