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agriculture & industry • community • faith & charities Education • down through the years • family & home business & health • life • neighbors • people A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE • FEBRUARY 2014
Construction in Albert Lea
$16.08 million 2013 $20.15 million 2012 $10.41 million 2011 $13.89 million 2010 $13.74 million 2009 $15 million 2008 $24.36 million 2007 $38.74 million 2006 $28.2 million 2005 Source: Building permits filed for construction in Albert Lea
Graphic by Kathy Johnson
Better, but not stellar
Construction is on the rise, though it hasn’t hit pre-recession levels By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
T
he last two years in Albert Lea have seen higher construction compared to the prior four years, according to building permits. But has the city risen above the Great Recession, and is it back to the levels of construction the area was seeing before? According to permits filed with Albert Lea’s Inspection Department, the city saw construction valued at $28.2 million in 2005; in 2006, it was at $38.74 million. Construction dropped to $24.36 million in 2007, and it has not been back to those levels since. The value of construction decreased a little each year after until it bottomed out in 2011 at $10.41 million in construction. In 2012, the city saw double the value of construction at $20.15 million, and in 2013 it valued $16.08 million. Though there was a decrease in 2013 compared to 2012, the construction brought visible projects to Albert Lea, including three major projects on North Bridge Avenue, a new senior living complex, renovations in buildings downtown and several industrial additions. Ryan Nolander, executive director of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, and Dan Dorman, former executive director, noted a sign of economic recovery often comes in the form of additions to manufacturing companies. Albert Lea has seen additions to Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, Zumbro River Brand and Pro Manufacturing, to name a few, and Nolander said he has received calls about other possible expansions. “I think you’re seeing a little bit more activity than you were,” he said. “You’re starting to see it open up a bit.” Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce
Director Randy Kehr agreed. “From what I’m hearing and what I’m seeing, it appears as though things are turning around,” Kehr said. “There’s a lot of movement. There’s a lot of shuffling of businesses trying to pick up new ways to attract people, and I think people are feeling good.” Construction companies also are charging more now for contracts than they were in 2008, when there were fewer projects, Kehr said. Building permits in Freeborn County outside of Albert Lea have fluctuated since 2007, with the highest value coming in 2009 at $24.3 million. Of that amount, $19 million came from commercial wind towers. The year 2010 was another busy year because of recovery from the June 17, 2010,
tornadoes. Thirty-five new homes were built that year, 22 of which were because of the tornadoes. Construction totaled $13.62 million. Since then, construction has gone from $7 million in 2011, to $12.49 million in 2012 to $8.18 million in 2013.
Home construction and sales In Albert Lea there were six new single family homes and three twin homes built in 2013 with a value of more than $2.4 million. Outside of Albert Lea in Freeborn County, there were 14. Dawn Freeman Swalve, an associate broker with Coldwell Banker who is part of the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors, said Albert Lea saw a 30 percent increase in homes sold in 2013 compared to 2012.
Micah Bader
Trent Tenner, right, a foreman from Ice Metric Contracting out of Big Lake, holds an exterior building panel while Eric Zeman uses a level during the remodeling project at Vern Eide Chevrolet last summer.
Freeborn County building permits New Total Construction Year houses permits valuation 2007 18 232 $6.59 million 2008 30 229 $9.82 million 2009 16 233 $24.33 million 2010 35* 449 $13.62 million 2011 15 279 $7.34 million 2012 20 304 $12.49 million 2013 14 269 $8.18 million Source: Freeborn County Environmental Services Department * 22 permits for new houses resulted because of the June 17, 2010, tornadoes. In 2012, there were 197 sold, and in 2013 there were 228. Furthermore, there has already been an increase in homes sold in January of this year compared to January of 2013 — despite many days of cold, stormy weather. “I think that’s a strong indication,” she said. “We’re seeing more confidence in the economy, and we’re optimistic that 2014 will increase even more.” Swalve said the number of houses on the market has decreased from about 163 in January of last year to about 140 in January of this year, which makes for a better seller’s market.
Construction highlights Some of the commercial construction highlights from 2013 were the following, according to city building permits: • Trail’s Travel Center, 820 Happy Trails Lane, remodeled its banquet room into a bar. The estimated value was $300,000. • The former Lakeside Cafe, 410 Bridge Ave., was remodeled into Sterling Drug. The project was estimated at $160,000. • Kwik Trip, 2611 Bridge Ave., constructed a new convenience store estimated at $1.08 million. • Vern Eide Chevrolet, 2527 Bridge Ave., remodeled its
store. The improvements were estimated at $700,000. • Prairie Senior Cottages, 1602 Fountain St., constructed a 20-unit senior living complex estimated at $1.2 million. • Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen, 2110 Y.H. Hanson Ave., constructed a small salads and freezer wall panel estimated at $300,000. • Albert Lea School District 241 made improvements to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Sibley Elementary, 1501 W. Front St. The estimated value was $1.66 million. • Dash-in Grocery, 201 Front St., got a permit to remodel its car wash into a liquor store. The project was estimated at $580,000. • Hy-Vee Gas, 2717 Bridge Ave., began building its new convenience store and gas station. The project was estimated at $1.65 million. • D&S Holding of Albert Lea, 77917 209th St., obtained a permit for an addition valued at $499,000. Outside of Albert Lea in Freeborn County, some of the larger projects included mechanical work and tanks at the REG Albert Lea plant, 15200 780th Ave., south of Albert Lea, totaling almost $700,000. Northern Country Co-Op in Emmons had a new bin installed valued at $138,000.
Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
It’s more than gardening
The store is just a small part of Albert Lea Seed House By Brandi Hagen
brandi.hagen@albertleatribune.com
Brandi Hagen
This warehouse sits on the north side of Albert Lea Seed House. It used to be the SmithDouglass Fertilizer Plant. The walkways of the plant can still be seen near the ceiling.
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There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Albert Lea Seed House. Many people are familiar with the garden center, but in this business that has been around since 1923, there’s more going on. To the west and to the north of the garden center are warehouses. Organic seeds are housed in the west warehouse because it is air conditioned in the summer and remains cold in the winter. According to Tom Theesfeld, manager of the garden center, the colder temperatures hold the germination of the seed better. Conventional seeds are in the warehouse north of the garden center which used to be the Smith-Douglass
Fertilizer Plant. The walkways near the top of the high ceilings that were in the fertilizer plant can still be seen. Seeds can be seen packaged three different ways in this warehouse. There are 50-pound paper bags, 2,000-pound super sacks and 2,000-pound pro boxes. Walking as far west in the building as possible, one will see seed being transferred from a farmer’s truck to a cleaning line. There are two cleaning lines at the Albert Lea Seed House. One is for organic seeds and the other is for the seeds that are not organic. During the cleaning process the seeds travel over three to five different machines depending on what kind of seed it is. After it is cleaned, the seed is moved into a bagging room. While automated bagging
systems are on the market, the bagging at the seed house is done manually. “The main reason we don’t have an automated system is that we do so many kinds of seeds,” said Mac Ehrhardt, coowner of Albert Lea Seed House. “We’re changing species all the time, and they have different properties so it’s hard to automate that for the different densities.” Not all of the seeds that move through the Albert Lea Seed House are processed or bagged there, but the seeds that are have always been a part of what the business does. “It has to do with what my dad calls ‘basic’ in an enterprise,” Ehrhardt said. “We’re not paying someone to do it for us. It allows us to be basic in some crops. It also is 4Seed, Page 3
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Seed: Company might need to expand Continued from Page 2 a fun part of the business. We get to choose those varieties and work with the farmers who are doing them.” On the way back out of the warehouse, on the northeast side of the garden center, is a small room where two overhead mixers are housed. Each mixer holds about 2,000 pounds of seed. Theesfeld said, mostly, it’s grasses that are being mixed. Next door to the mixers is a room of about 2,400 square feet. This room is what used to be the sales floor until the current sales floor and office space of 15,000 square feet was built in 2003. The old sales floor is now used for storage. Outside of the warehouses stand 47 grain bins. “People always ask, ‘Why do you have so many little tiny bins and not one big bin like an elevator?’” Ehrhardt said. “We’re not an elevator. We need to keep all these different kind of seeds separate.” Look up when leaving the garden center. Above the sliding doors hangs an unfinished portrait of George Washington. The portrait used to hang in the original Albert Lea Seed House building. The seed house location at 1414 W. Main St. is the only physi-
Locations over the years 1923-1938: Corner of Broadway and Main 1938-1957: Stevens Street 1957-1967: East of U.S. Highway 65 and Fenton Avenue 1968-1974: East Main Street 1974-2003: SmithDouglass Fertilizer Plant 2003-present: West Main Street cal location that the Ehrhardts own and process seed, but they do have three other locations where they store seed in Albert Lea: Profit Pro, Albert Lea Warehouse and Agriguardian. There are also farmers who store seed on their farms until the seed house needs it. “We don’t have enough space here,” Ehrhardt said. “In one sense it’s a good thing because you feel like your business is growing. That’s a healthy thing. But it’s also expensive.” Because of that, discussions have been had about building new warehouses, adding on or continuing to rent space. “We’ve definitely outgrown this space that we’ve got,” Ehrhardt said. “I don’t think we’re going to be mov-
ing anytime soon. But certainly adding on to this building is a possibility or building some type of other structure out here.” History The Albert Lea Seed House was founded in 1923 by Lou Ehrhardt. It was a family-owned seed store that offered field seed and farm supplies. Ninety-one years later it is still a family business. Today, the business is co-owned by Lou’s grandsons, Tom and Mac Ehrhardt. Ninetyfive percent of the business is farm seed and the other 5 percent comes from its garden center. The garden center dates back to the 1980s or a little before, Mac said. “We’re in the seed business and we understand seed, so it’s natural for us to sell all different kinds of seed,” Mac said. “And we’re here. It’s nice to have that storefront open year-round.” As far as farm seed goes, seed is not just sold locally. It is distributed throughout the Upper Midwest and other states like Maine. The owners and employees stay involved in the industry by attending meetings and conventions. A web presence has developed, too — not only with a website, but with a page on Facebook.
The mixing room is on the northeast side of Albert Lea Seed House.
Albert Lea Seed House by the numbers 1 month, a third of the work is done (some years) 1 dozen oat seed varieties 2 overhead mixers 2 cleaning lines 3 onsite warehouses 4 barley seed varieties 4 immediate family members working in business 5 percent is the amount of business the garden center brought in last year in relation to the business as a whole 47 bins for seeds outside of the building
20 soybean seed varieties 25 percent of total business is organic 25 year-round employees 50 (or about) employees during spring 95 percent of the business done in the Albert Lea Seed House is with farm seed 100 farmers (or about) are on a growing contract 100 corn seed hybrids (or more) 1,200 kinds of seed excluding garden seed 60,000 square feet is the size of the main warehouse 10 million pounds of seed (or more) bagged in a year
Pictured are the different types of packaging used at Albert Lea Seed House. On the left are paper sacks, then tote bags and at right are pro boxes. Brandi Hagen
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Page 4 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
Find out the best places for kids to be kids in Albert Lea. Learn tips and tricks from a makeup professional. Check out where the fun exercise classes are.
Read about one woman’s secret to loosing 60 pounds. Learn about early preparations for your garden to give it the best chance at producing great vegetables.
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agriculture & industry - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 5
Then & Now
Modern-day photos by Micah Bader Photos courtesy of the Freeborn County Historical Museum
245 S. Broadway, Tru-Value, 1949
245 S. Broadway, Brick Furniture Sleep Center, 2014
305 S. Newton Ave., Thomesen Cleaners, no date
305 S. Newton Ave., Allure Salon & Spa, 2014
116 E. Clark St., Cook’s Paints, unknown date
116 E. Clark St., vacant space, 2014
114 S. Broadway, S&H Green Stamp Store, 1960
114 S. Broadway, vacant Tone Music store, 2014
919 W. Main St., Coca-Cola Bottling Works, no date
919 W. Main St., Trophy Showcase, 2014
Page 6 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
Onions are harvested Sept. 27 south of Hollandale. The onions are kept in rows until the harvester scoops them up. Tim Engstrom
Vegetables Inc.
Van Erkel Farms grows everything but the kitchen sink
By Drew Claussen
drew.claussen@albertleatribune.com
HOLLANDALE — Van Erkel farms in Hollandale is a true gem, considering it’s one of the few remaining farms in the area that grows vegetables along with corn and soybeans. “There are two potato growers in Hollandale, the other guy just does a few acres,” John Van Erkel said. “It used to be a bunch — in the heyday there were 20 to 30 growers. Now we’re basically the only one. We’re the only one to do onions, and there’s one other guy who does carrots.” After graduating high school in 2004 and getting a degree in construction engineering from
Iowa State University, the family farm called Van Erkel back after only one year of working in the engineering field. He works alongside his father, Peter, and three other full-time employees, along with a lot of seasonal help. Van Erkel Farms grows corn, soybeans, sweet corn, potatoes, onions and carrots. This year it will grow potatoes for Mrs. Gerry’s in Albert Lea. “The vegetables are extremely labor-intensive, and you’re busy year-round,” Van Erkel said. “We’ll ship potatoes to Mrs. Gerry’s for nine months out of the year, probably. We spray the onions about once or twice per week. For corn, we spray once or maybe twice a year. It’s a lot
more labor-intensive, and it takes a lot more people” Van Erkel he said he thought the amount of work has led to the drop in vegetable farmers, but added that sweet corn remained strong because of the fact that the soil is good for the crop around Hollandale and you can use the same planter as regular corn. “This old swampland will grow better sweet corn than corn,” he said. “In this area in the basin, especially east of Maple Island, it grows better sweet corn than corn.” John is the fourth generation Van Erkel to farm in Hollandale; the farm has been in existence since the Great Depression. “Actually my grandpa,
who’s 91 and still alive and running around, was born here and then they went back over to Holland because they still had some land over there and the Depression didn’t hit as hard over there,” Van Erkel said. “Then in the mid-1930s all U.S. citizens were ordered out of Europe because Hitler came to power. So then they ended up coming back.” With all their different crops, planting takes a lot of planning and coordination. Van Erkel said most of their sweet corn goes to Birds Eye Foods in Waseca, and some goes to Seneca Foods in Rochester and Lakeside Foods in Owatonna. Because the farm is growing 4Veggies, Page 7
Drew Claussen
John Van Erkel stands in front of one of Van Erkel Farms’ semi truck. Van Erkel Farms is one of the only farms in the area that grows corn, beans, potatoes, carrots and onions.
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agriculture & industry - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 7
Aces in cases
Lake Mills manufacturer does custom work across the country By Tiffany Krupke
tiffany.krupke@albertleatribune.com
Submitted
Dras Cases did the case work for this St. Cloud Caribou Coffee.
Dras Cases built this booth and wine rack for the Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza chain.
LAKE MILLS — Dean Rasmusson and Amy Peterson are a fatherdaughter team that pride themselves on being family first, work second. “As we grow, it gets to be more and more of a family effort,” said Rasmusson, president and owner of Dras Cases. “I came from a larger corporation. This is much different.” Rasmusson works alongside his daughter at Dras Cases, a Lake Mills manufacturer that provides custom cabinet work locally and across the country. The company provides cabinetry for retail, food service, health care, hospitality and corporate environments. One recent project was working with the Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea on cabinetry for the fourth and fifth floors. The majority of the work isn’t done locally, said Rasmusson. “Word of mouth really gets us business,” Rasmusson said. The manufacturer ships to all 50 states, usually by the truckload, but recently shipped a project overseas. Once the product arrives, Dras Cases installs it for about 35 percent of its customers. Dras Cases works with a contractor in Minneapolis
Local customers Mrs. Gerry’s MCB Wedgewood Cove Cedar Valley Services Mayo Clinic Health System Stadheim Jewelers Security Insurance Northstar Power Sports Vern Eide Chevrolet Zinpro Motor Inn Studio 22 Freeborn County Co-op Oil Taco King Kingland Systems Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau Stutzman Physical Therapy to install the projects outside the area. The manufacturer employs about 34 people and is looking to grow. The location has about 30,000 square feet and is adding on another 3,600 square feet of manufacturing space. Once the project is completed, the company will add a third shipping dock. “We keep growing,” Rasmusson said. “We will be looking to hire again, too.” Dras Cases opened for business in 1994. Rasmusson begin the business because he enjoyed working with wood. The facility uses modern manufacturing techniques, including a multi-axis point-to-point
boring machine and computer aided machinery systems. The engineering department uses Microvellum software that helps streamline production. Dras Cases was featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” in 2008. When the announcement was made that the show was coming to Freeborn County, Dras Cases got involved. Rasmusson was approached by the house builder, Larson Contracting, which is also in Lake Mills, to take on the responsibility for all interior millwork. Dras Cases employees volunteered to install the cabinetry and complete the finish carpentry including hanging doors, trimming windows, applying baseboards and manufacturing and installing the closet systems. When the house was complete, it took under 100 hours to build. Dras Cases works with many materials including laminate, veneer, hardwood, solid surface, glass, metal and others. In addition, Dras Cases is a member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute and participates in the AWI Quality Certification Program. The business is open five days a week and can be reached at 641-592-3333.
Veggies: Carrots sold by weight, so farm lets them grow as long as possible Continued from Page 6 the food for the companies, the companies dictate when the crop is planted. “It’s all backdated off of when they start the plant in the fall. They want to have to it run full of sweet corn until they’re done,” Van Erkel said. “So they figure out, ‘We need so many tons a day,
and it takes this many acres to get it. So you have a 150 acres to plant in these three days.’” When it comes time to harvest the sweet corn, the food companies take care of that. The sweet corn ends up in grocery stores, either frozen or in a can. Potatoes are put in the
ground in May and carrots go as soon as possible because they are sold by weight, so they want them to have as much time to grow as possible. “The carrots are at the very end, so they stay in there for a while. It’s the same thing where they’ll call you and say, ‘We’ll need six semi loads
today and we’ll need seven tomorrow.’” Five years after deciding to give up a career in engineering and go back to farming, Van Erkel said he is happy with his decision. “Every day and every year is different,” he said. “I’ve had fall of 2009, 10, 11, 12 and 13. And out of those five
years two haven’t been the same.” Like most farmers, he’s not a fan of having to live and die by weather forecasts, but knows that it’s out of his control. “You can plan out the best plan and, especially here, it can be gone in a matter of minutes,” Van Erkel said.
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Page 8 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
In 2007, Zumbro River Brand purchased its facility in Albert Lea at the east end of Hershey Street. Tiffany Krupke
Expansion of extrusion
Zumbro River Brand prepares to doubles its capacity By Tiffany Krupke
tiffany.krupke@albertleatribune.com
The Zumbro River Brand facility in Albert Lea is continuing to grow. Vice President Jim Fischer said the manufacturer plans to add new equipment, an expansion costing about $4 million. The growth will result in the creation
of 40 full-time jobs with more to follow. The equipment will double the capacity of the Albert Lea facility. The additional equipment will help make food powder and manufacture snacks. Fischer said Zumbro’s production rate has grown about 30 percent a year. “I’m really excited,”
Fischer said. He expected both new pieces of equipment to be fully functional by December. All work is being done by local contractors and there will be no slow down of manufacturing, he said. Contractors are working to put in a water line. Zumbro River Brand Inc. is a contract food
Zumbro River Brand plans to hire new employees as a result of the expansion.
Growing in A.L. Cost: $4 million Jobs: 40 full-time with more to follow Average growth: 30 percent a year manufacturer that produces and packages food ingredients and finished products to
customer specifications. In 1985, Zumbro River Brand purchased a facility in Owatonna. Its needs grew, but it was in a land-locked parcel, according to Fischer, and couldn’t expand. In 2007 the company purchased the facility in Albert Lea at 1215 Hershey St. to expand contract extrusion
capabilities and offer custom agglomeration and packaging services. The Albert Lea facility alone currently employs about 80 workers.’ “I’m excited to continue to grow in Albert Lea,” Fischer said. “It has been a great community to do business.” Zumbro is accepting applications.
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agriculture & industry - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 9
ALEDA Executive Director Ryan Nolander hopes to help area businesses grow.
Tiffany Krupke
Not-so new guy
Nolander now leads ALEDA, but he has been there since 2005 By Tiffany Krupke
tiffany.krupke@albertleatribune.com
Maintaining area business is a primary objective of Albert Lea Economic Development Agency Executive Director Ryan Nolander. Nolander took over as director last August when Dan Dorman left for a St. Paul lobbying firm and has since worked to keep business strong in Albert Lea. ALEDA consists of two separate agencies, the Albert Lea Port Authority and Greater Jobs Inc. ALEDA serves as a mechanism where the city and the private sector work together for economic development in the area. Nolander said he is looking to bring new business to the area, though it is like chasing after a shiny penny. “We all want the shiny penny, but it is important to maintain area businesses,” Nolander said. He said the majority of growth in a community comes from
existing businesses. With that strategy, Nolander talks to area businesses about ways he can help to solve problems. One recent victory was helping a company hire a new employee to do work that was being outsourced. He said any economic growth in Austin, Owatonna or any area town is a victory for Albert Lea. “I figure we are all in the same boat. We might as well be each other’s cheerleaders,” Nolander said. He remains optimistic about bringing business to Albert Lea and said Albert Lea is often one of the last contenders in the running when companies are looking to set up their business. Nolander said the biggest concern for Albert Lea is a lack of workforce. “With many baby boomers looking to retire in the next few years, we don’t have the workforce we once had,” Nolander said. He said companies
looking to set up shop have asked him only workforce-related questions. To optimize the workforce, Nolander has worked with schools and businesses to create opportunities for local students. He said many students he talks to are looking move away after graduation, an idea he once had himself. Nolander, who grew up in Albert Lea, returned to town after college because of a job offer. He took the position of assistant director for ALEDA in 2005 and has enjoyed working with area businesses. “The opportunity costs are cheaper and we have an excellent work ethic,” Nolander said of doing business in Albert Lea. Nolander enjoys small town life with his wife and 15-month-old child. “It is nice just being able to walk to the park after work or go to the lake,” Nolander said. “It is a nice, safe community.”
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507-373-4434
Page 10 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
Business by the numbers Business establishments Dodge County Freeborn County Faribault County Mower County Steele County Waseca County Winnebago County Worth County
Freeborn County establishments by sector
421 817 453 859 1,001 501 320 171
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 data Note: Establishments means a single physical location with paid employees at which business is conducted or industry performed and does not include government. See census.gov under “County Business Patterns” for how the data is collected.
Freeborn County establishments by employees 1-4 404 5-9 185 10-19 121 20-49 68 50-99 24 100-249 10 250-499 3 500-999 2 1,000 and up 0 Total 817 Additional details Paid employees Annual payroll
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 1 Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction 3 Utilities 4 Construction 85 Manufacturing 54 42 Wholesale trade Retail trade 133 Transportation and warehousing 37 Information 12 59 Finance and insurance Real estate, rental and leasing 17 Professional, scientific and technical services 44 5 Management of companies and enterprises Administrative, support and waste management 31 Educational services 7 77 Health care and social assistance Arts, entertainment and recreation 13 Accommodation and food services 77 Other services 115 1 Industries not classified Total 817
Freeborn County nonemployers by sector Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 42 Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction (withheld) Utilities 6 Construction 294 Manufacturing 24 53 Wholesale trade Retail trade 236
11,224 $349,522,000
Tim Engstrom
Glenville is home to a Poet Biorefining ethanol plant.
Transportation and warehousing 142 Information 16 69 Finance and insurance Real estate, rental and leasing 174 Professionnal, scientific and technical services 140 Administrative, support and waste 132 management and remediation services Educational services 27 Health care and social assistance 165 91 Arts, entertainment and recreation Accommodation and food services 26 Other services 327 Total 1,966 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 data, reissued 2012 Note: Nonemployers, as implied, do not have paid employees. They are the majority of U.S. corporations but average a small impact (less than 4 percent) on receipts nationally.
Old to new
Tim Engstrom
Downtown Albert Lea saw changes in the past year. The most notable was a renovation of Broadway from top to bottom, including the sewer and water lines. This image was taken prior to the changes, which wrapped up in the fall just before the snow fell in November. The new downtown should show its full glory this spring on a bright day like this one.
Your Local Wholesale Distributor of Structural Steel 1126 S. Broadway Ave. Albert Lea, MN 56007
For All Your Metal Needs Call:
1-507-373-5315
Aluminum and stainless Steel may be ordered for next day availability
Services We Offer:
• Welding (Mig, Tig & Arc) • Plasma Cutting • Sawing • Cutting • Shearing • On-Time Delivery • Accurate Estimates • Delivery Available • Short Run Production • Bending
We Have On Hand: • Hot Roll • Cold Roll • Flats • Rounds • Channels • Sheets • Plates • Rebar • Pipe
• Expanded Metals • Tubing
We may be small, but we have it all!
FLEET FARM SUPPLY OF ALBERT LEA, INC.
310 Main Court, Albert Lea, MN Phone 373-7067
Open 7 days a week
agriculture & industry - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 11
Page 12 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY
We’re growing with YOU!
Become a customer of our
GROWING
COMMUNITY
90M
Hartland Office
80M 70M 65M 60M
BANK!
55M 50M 45M 40M 35M 30M
Nancy Skophammer, Robin Brekke, Darcy Newman, Cindy Recknor
25M 20M 15M
Albert Lea Office
10M
Asset Growth (in Millions)
5M
1990
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2000 2005 2013
0
Looking for a long-term financial partner that gives you great convenience? Become a customer of our growing community bank that has a long history of over 100 years of great service. Ask about our unique E-Checking account, with Mobile Banking with Mobile Deposit. See a lender about our home mortgage services. Or contact an experienced business banker who can give you great financial advice.
Row 1: JoAnn Spooner, Jessica Stensrud, Diane Obermeyer, Deb Kenison, Becky Griffith Row 2: Cally Skinner, Chas Benson, Mike Budach, Jared Matson, Mark Heinemann, Daniel Otten, Jenni Miller, Rhonda Allison
Freeborn Office
Stop in any of our locations and grow with us!
HARTLAND OFFICE 507-845-2233 FREEBORN OFFICE 507-863-2371 ALBERT LEA OFFICE 507-373-1945 farmersstatebankmn.com Member FDIC
Amy Schmidt, Jaclyn Henke, Cindy Whitcomb, Marcia McKean, Peter Scheffert
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