12/22/2011 - Dakota County Tribune Business Weekly

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JESSICA HARPER T.W. BUDIG AARON VEHLING

Pole dancing for exercise in Eagan 2A Insider trading law considered 6A City to outsource electrical inspections 7A

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DATE ##, 2009 DECEMBER 22, 2011

VOLUME 30, NUMBER # VOLUME 32, NUMBER 43

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Pharmacy benefits manager to occupy former Buffets Inc. building by Jessica Harper While several major employers have downsized recently, one Eagan company plans to add hundreds of head-of-household jobs in the next two years. Prime Therapeutics, a clientowned company, plans to add 300 information technology and business analyst jobs as apart of a $5 million expansion near its Eagan headquarters. “We are so pleased to choose this region to grow our company,” Prime Therapeutics CEO Eric Elliot said at a Dec. 20 press conference. “It’s a win for the state, region,

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Prime Therapeutics to add 300 jobs in Eagan DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

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JOHN KLINE

unty and city, and it’s a win for Prime Therapeutics.” The pharmacy benefits manager already employs 2,100 workers in nine U.S. cities. Most of the jobs are in Eagan and Bloomington. The new employees, who will receive annual salaries between $73,000 and $83,000, will work in the former Buffets Inc. headquarters at 1460 Buffet Way. The national buffet chain moved out of the 100,000-square-foot building about two to three years ago after

Former U.S. Marine says Toys for Tots is a program that deserves the community’s support. 4A

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Suff icient supply of experienced public defenders are necessary to run an eff icient and fair judicial system. TERRENCE 4A CONKEL filing for bankruptcy, said Tom Hedges, Eagan city administrator. Prime Therapeutics plans to move employees into the building by the first quarter of 2012 after minor renovations are completed,

Photo by Andrew Miller

Prime Therapeutics announced on Dec. 20 it plans to add 300 information technology and business analyst jobs that will be located in the former Buffets Inc. headquarters at 1020 Discovery Road in Eagan.

Elliot said. Mayor Mike Maguire said he is pleased to hear a long-vacant building will be filled in Eagan and bring hundreds of jobs with it. “It’s a relief to have this building occupied,” he said, adding that he believes the company’s expansion supports a recent survey in which a large portion local business leaders stated they expect to grow in the near future. The news comes at a time when several major employers such as Lockheed Martin have laid off workers and announced plans to move from Eagan. In addition to financing the project itself, Prime Therapeutics will receive a $5,000 forgivable loan from the Department of Employment and Economic Development. The loan will be forgiven once the company meets its employment goals under the deal. Prime Therapeutics, which is owned by 12 Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans nationally, is among the 50 fastest growing companies in the Twin Cities, according to recent reports. The billion-dollar company already added 300 jobs this year. Some of this growth has See Prime Therapeutics, Page 8A

BEST PRACTICES

Agricultural economy will continue to fuel Minnesota as long as certain investments are made. BEV 5A DURGAN DAKOTA ARTS

People can spend New Year’s Eve at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center with popular comedian Louie Anderson. LOUIE 28A ANDERSON

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General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Advertising 952-846-2011

ECM agrees to acquire Minnesota Sun Newspapers Ajax will no longer lead 360 Communities ECM Publishers, a media company based in Coon Rapids, has signed a letter of intent to acquire the Minnesota Sun Newspapers from American Community Newspapers II located in Dallas, Texas. While ACN has accepted the letter of intent, purchase agreement negotiations are ongoing. “This potential combination

promises vital hometown journalism for scores of suburban communities,” said Julian Andersen, CEO and chairman of ECM. “Both of these newspaper groups are staffed and led by talented and effective associates, who will bring vim and vigor to the opportunities and responsibilities of a larger media enterprise.” “ECM is always looking for

ways to grow as an information company,” said Marge Winkelman, president and chief operating officer. “ECM has grown over 35 years from a weekly newspaper in Princeton, Minn., to a company with 21 publications delivered to more than 300,000 Minnesota homes.” “Opportunities of this magniSee ECM Publishers, Page 8A

Board creates committee to select new leader by Tad Johnson DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

The board of directors of 360 Communities has removed Mary Ajax as president and CEO of the Burnsvillebased nonprofit, according to a release issued Wednesday. “In her time with 360 Communities, Mary made significant positive contri-

butions to our communities,” said board chair Pete Diessner. “We hope to build on these contributions as we move forward.” According to the release, the board took Mary Ajax action to change the organization’s leadership, in part, to ensure that 360 Communities will be See Ajax, Page 8A


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