News from the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission (June 2012)

AAEDC Economic Insights Newsletter

June 2012

Project Updates

TWF Industries Expansion Project:

TWF Industries of Alexandria is currently in the process of adding approximately 20,000 sq. ft. to their manufacturing facility due to growing demand for services. TWF Industries specializes in high quality industrial finishing.

The AAEDC assisted TWF Industries with requesting for the removal of JOBZ benefits from the portion of their property upon which this expansion is taking place. JOBZ benefits expire in 2015, creating too small of a window to recapture upfront costs associated with the program.

Zorbaz on the Lake Redevelopment Project

The AAEDC has assisted leadership of Zorbaz by the Lake with applying for Tax Increment Financing benefits from the City of Alexandria to assist with a redevelopment project to take place a the location of The Wharf on CR 42 on the north side of Alexandria. If approved by the Alexandria City Council, this project will include the redevelopment of a substandard commercial property for the construction of a new restaurant.

LBR Properties LLC - Multi-Family Housing Project

The AAEDC has assisted the leadership of LBR Properties LLC with applying for Housing Tax Increment Financing benefits from the City of Alexandria to assist with the development of two multi-family housing facilities in Alexandria. If approved by the Alexandria City Council, this project will result in the construction of approximately 126 housing units on Pioneer Road (near the new District 206 High School site).

If Housing Tax Increment Financing benefits are approved for this project, 20% of the available units will be allocated for households at or below 50% of the area's median gross income.

Douglas Scientific Selected to Receive 2012 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day Award

The Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission and Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce that Douglas Scientific of Alexandria has been selected to receive the 2012 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) award.

The 29^th annual BIAD Award Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, October 23^rd at 11:30am at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center.

Company Background:

Douglas Scientific LLC, located in Alexandria, MN, began as a division of Douglas Machine Inc in 2009, and was incorporated as a wholly owned company in 2010. The Company provides patented Array Tape™ automation that enables laboratories around the world to rapidly process billions of genetic samples and chemical compounds. Array Tape™ is a continuous plastic film embossed with micro wells used in laboratory testing.

Douglas Scientific also designs and manufactures a full line of laboratory instrumentation -- Nexar™ and Araya™ -- to optimize dispensing and scanning in the Array Tape™ wells. The technology allows scientists to complete screening at unprecedented speed and fractional costs, which enables new discovery in plant genomics, animal health, human diagnostics, and pharmaceutical applications.

Douglas Scientific is dedicated to making the world a better place by delivering innovative laboratory automation. By partnering with the most creative and dedicated scientists around the world, the company delivers advancements to address several imminent global issues and threats.

Since its founding, Douglas Scientific has experienced rapid growth (both in terms of product demand and workforce) and currently employs more than 70 professionals at its facility in the Alexandria Industrial Park - including experts in engineering, biosciences, automation, motion control, and other fields. Douglas Scientific recruits employees to the Alexandria region from around the world, bringing both specialized expertise and cultural diversity to the region.

For more information on Douglas Scientific, go to www.douglasscientific.com.

Board Member Spotlight:

Mark Grandgenett

Representation: Lake Mary Township

Mark is Lake MaryTownship's representative on the AAEDC Board of Directors and has served the organization for 7 years. Mark is employed by Bremer Bank in Alexandria and brings a wealth of business development knowledge, lending experience, and passion for regional success to the Board.

Business Start-up & Planning Assistance

The AAEDC provides free and confidential business start-up and planning assistance to individuals and organizations in Douglas County.

Services typically include:

Assistance with creating a business plan
Site selection assistance
Financial packaging & commercial financial incentives
Demographic information assistance

Since no two businesses or business plans are alike, services are customized to the individual's/organization's needs.

In addition to the listed services, the AAEDC partners with a number of regional business resource organizations that may be accessed to assist clients.

West Central MN Small Business Development Center Holding Monthly Office Hours at AAEDC

In an effort to better serve the entrepreneurs and small businesses of the Alexandria region, the West Central MN Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Concordia College will be holding regular office hours at the AAEDC the 3rd Thursday of each month, from approximately 9am-1pm.

Appointments outside of these office hours can also be made to meet with an SBDC counselor.

To request assistance or to schedule a meeting with an SBDC counselor, go to www.cord.edu/sbdc or contact Nicole Fernholz at the AAEDC.

In This Issue

Project Updates

Business & Industrial Appreciation Day Recipient

Board Member Spotlight

Business Start-up & Assistance Services

SBDC Local Office Hours

Upcoming Events & Activities:

Fall 2012 Business Training information is available on the AAEDC website by clicking here.

2012 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day Luncheon

October 23rd from 11:30-1pm at Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center

For more information or to register for events & training opportunities, contact the AAEDC by email or by calling (320) 763-4545.

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Recent Event Updates:

2012 Employment Law Update & Employee Relations Training Has Record Attendance

The 2012 Employment Law Update & Employee Relations Training event (which took place at the Alexandria Technical & Community College on May 31st) was a great success with a record number of attendees.

2012 Spring Small Business BBQ Lunch

The AAEDC and Alexandria Technical & Community College partnered to offer a Small Business BBQ Lunch in honor of US Small Business Week on May 24th. Approximately 160 business representatives from throughout the greater Alexandria regional community attended this event.

The District 206 FIRST Robotics team were the featured participants in this event. A total of $445 was raised to assist the future growth of the FIRST Robotics team through a free will offering at the event.