PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Monday February 19, 2007

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

State of the Cities event held at Rockwoods, Otsego MN.

     

   

  The Wright County Economic Development Partnership held a State of the Cities event in Otsego at the Rockwood's Banquet Center on February 14 th . This event featured the Northern and Eastern cities of Wright County . Cities that presented at the Otsego event include Albertville , Clearwater , Hanover , Monticello , Otsego, and Rockford .

Mayor Ron Klecker of Albertville shared a power point presentation with the audience that showed a map of the upgraded Barthel industrial park in Albertville . Klecker also showed pictures of some of the new commercial developments in Albertville including the Parkside Commercial Office Condo, T-Square Engineers, and the Winkleman Redevelopment project, which is required to have 25% medical business in the building.

  Heidi Peper of S.E.H. presented for the City of Albertville . She highlighted the available empty buildings such as the old Coburn's Store and also mentioned that the City had formed a new EDA last year. Dan Buchholtz presented for the City of Hanover . Buchholtz highlighted the River Road Main Street Redevelopment project and explained that the City of Hanover is delighted that BankWest is planning a new bank building in that district of their city.

  Jeff O'Neil, City Administrator for the City of Monticello, gave a brief overview of some of the many projects underway in Monticello . One of the projects he mentioned is the Fiber Optic system development, which will give residents and business owners in Monticello faster access to the digital and internet world of business.

  Mike Robertson presented for the City of Otsego , which has a lot of commercial and industrial development. Nancy Carswell presented for the City of Rockford . Carswell mentioned that the Rockford city council continues to pursue the possibility of having their city in only one county. The strategy is to persuade Hennepin County to turn the area of their county that is within the Rockford city limits over to Wright County . Carswell said she knows of no other instance when this has been done.

Wright County Commissioner Sawatzke also gave a brief presentation, which included a handout showing the 2006 building permits for 16 of the 18 townships in Wright County . As a percentage of houses built in 2005, the activity in the rural part of Wright County appears to be more active than in the cities. Most cities are reporting substantial reductions in new home building permits.

The Bank of Elk River was the exclusive sponsor for this event.

   The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to 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.