Home to two premier colleges,close to the Twin Cities andcentered on a thriving river-front and vibrant downtown,Northfield, Minnesota is agreat place to live and work.

With a wide range of businesses from large foodmanufacturing and distributionfirms, to small high-techstart-ups, Northfield enjoysthe strength of a diversifiedlocal economy.

The City of Northfield and the Northfield EconomicDevelopment Authority arecommitted to helping currentand prospective businessesobtain the resources neces-sary for success.

801 Washington StreetNorthfield, MN 55057

507-645-3018www.ci.northfield.mn.us/businesseda@ci.northfield.mn.us

Northfield Economic Development News

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� Neuger Communications Group (neuger.com) isremodeling the former Community Resource Bank buildingon Bridge Square, in anticipation of relocating its staff of adozen communications professionals to new office space.

� Coldwell Banker South Metro (cbsouthmetro.com) – a localrealtor with a staff of 13 – will be relocating to a downtownstorefront at 419 Division Street in July.

� The Northfield Historical Society (northfieldhistory.org) isin the middle of a major remodeling project to improveaccessibility to its galleries and exhibits.

� Bodysmith of Northfield, a personal training studio isremodeling the former Tiny’s space at 321 Division Street,where it will soon be joined by Fit to be TRI’d(fittobetrid.com), a multisport equipment supplier.

� Just two blocks east of downtown, Carleton College isnearing completion of a $40 million development of theWeitz Center for Creativity. The project is a completeremodel of the former Northfield Middle School and 30,000square feet of new construction to house a wide of arts,film and academic programs, and will serve as an anchorto the actively developing Northfield Arts Corridor. TheWeitz Center is expected to open in 2012.

Photo curtesy of Griff Wigley

Downtown RemodelsNorthfield is widely recognized for the historic charm of its downtown.Over the years, the community has proudly supported a constantlyevolving roster of businesses that have kept Northfield lively.

Local business owners and investors have a long tradition of investing is commercialand civic improvements. Construction season is once again underway in the heartof the community. Several projects will bring more than two dozen jobs toDivision Street.

Economic Development Authority

City Receives FloodRelief GrantThe City of Northfield has been awarded$257,000 in flood recovery assistance fundsfrom the Business and CommunityDevelopment Division of the Minnesota

Department of Employment and Economic Development. The grant comes from theMinnesota Investment Fund, and will finance revolving loans to help downtown businessescope with the economic effects of the severe flooding that inundated the city in late 2010.“City staff pursued several opportunities to attract funds to help local businesses repair

and rebuild after the floods last fall,” said Jody Gunderson, the city’s community and eco-nomic development director. “ We are fortunate to have a good working relationship withDEED, and they understood how important this support will be to our downtown businesses.”The grant will restore the Economic Development Authority’s revolving loan fund, which

was used to help nearly a dozen businesses make immediate investments to reopen afterthe flood.

Business Park Plan and Land Development Code Move ForwardTwo year-long processes of keen interest to businesses are moving toward final action by theNorthfield City Council. The city’s Land Development Code (LDC) – the first major overhaul oflocal development regulations in more than two decades – is receiving its final revision by thePlanning Commission. The LDC provides a detailed guide to the standards and requirementsfor all new building and development projects in the city, while the Business Park MasterPlan presents a conceptual vision to guide development of a 530-acre parcel of land annexedinto the city in 2009.“This is the first major update of the land development code in 30 years," said Tracy Davis,

chair of the Northfield Planning Commission. "The new regulations reflect the city'sComprehensive Plan and current best practices in land use and development, and is clearerabout the characteristics of the built environment Northfield is looking for. We want to takesome of the guesswork and unpredictability out of the development process.”The Business Park Master Plan process has been led by Jeff McMenimen, of Hoisington

Koegler, Inc., and a steering commit-tee comprised of local business lead-ers and elected officials. The planpresents a mixed-use business parkfor an area in the northwest corner of the city, straddling Dakota andRice Counties. Interstate highway 35 isapproximately five miles to the west.“For many years, Northfield has

had little or no industrial expansionland,” notes Jody Gunderson, thecity’s community and economicdevelopment director. “We couldn’taccommodate any significant expan-sion by our current employers, muchless attract new businesses wantingto take advantage of the local work-force, or locate in a community withNorthfield’s assets.”To see the most recent draft of the

Land Development Code, visit thePlanning Commission page on the City of Northfield website. For the latest Business Parkplans, visit northfield-businesspark.com. Both plans are expected to go before the city council for final action in early summer.

New Businesses Open

The Measuring Cup, a charmingnew kitchenware store at 320Division Street, opened in April. It isa second venture for the Osterkampfamily, owners of Monarch (monarchgiftshop.com), a gift storeat 405 Division Street.

A new restaurant is set to open inthe former Ole Store Café at 1011 St. Olaf Avenue. Chuck Pryor,owner of the Grand EntertainmentCenter (thegrandevent.com) andthe Tavern of Northfield (tavernofnorthfield.com) in theArcher House River Inn expects to be up and running in June.

eco gardens, 600 South DivisionStreet, has reopened for the seasonin a newly refreshed building. Thestylish renovation of an abandonedtire store compliments the organicplants and gardening supplies. It'sa welcome addition to Northfield'smain commercial district.

Photo curtesy of Griff Wigley

Perkins Continues to InnovativeNorthfield’s Perkins Specialized TransportationContracting (heavyhaul.com) has once againpushed the technical boundaries of over-the-roadtransportation. To serve its nation-wide customerbase, the company recently deployed its newQuantum™ hydraulic transporter, a flat-bed rigcapable of handling cargos up to 136’ long atweights up to 160,000 lbs to 240,000 lbs, depending

on allowable axle loadings on the route. The first Quantum move involved a single 115’ longpiece of industrial equipment from Minnesota to Tennessee.

“The Quantum transporter is designed as a ‘load-and-roll’ system, providing a single, highlymaneuverable platform that protects the cargo from the transfer of tortional forces,” sayscompany president, Neil Perkins. “It is a revolutionary new way to move oversize shipments.”

The company’s next innovation is the “Road Train by Perkins,” a 192-tire rig custom builtto move a 400-ton shipment from California to Utah. It is an extraordinary piece of engineer-ing designed to solve a customer’s unique challenges, and it represents Perkins Specializedat the top of its game. The Road Train utilizes one tractor pulling and four pushing, bringingthe total tire count up to 242 and the overall length when connected to 399'6".

“We have a tremendous team with world-class design and manufacturing skills. Ourexpertise is in solving extremely complex engineering challenges,” says Perkins. “By thetime our trucks accept the cargo and hit the road, we’ve had some very smart people in ourNorthfield plant find technical and logistical solutions that ensure our customers’ cargoesarrive safely and on time, every time.”

Malt-O-Meal Company Wins Environmental AwardMalt-O-Meal Company (malt-o-meal.com) has wonthe Industrial Environmental Achievement (IEA) Awardin recognition of its outstanding contributions in wasteminimization, pollution prevention, environmentalcompliance, and environmental stewardship.Awarded by the Central States Water EnvironmentAssociation (CSWEA), the IEA Award companies taking steps to increase environmental awareness,

and reduce pollution and wastewater emissions from manufacturing operations. Malt-O-Meal was chosen for this award due to its efforts to reduce the amount of food

waste generated at its manufacturing facility located in Northfield. The company developed aunique system to collect unusable liquid food materials and use this material as animal feedor soil additives. With these practices, Malt-O-Meal is able to find additional uses for its foodwaste, eliminating the need for expensive treatment of wastewater. Over past decades, the company has made extensive investments in a variety of environ-

mental programs that reduce energy and water consumption at the Northfield plant. Itspackaging innovations – including its elimination of an exterior box — have significantlyreduced consumer packaging and disposable waste. “Malt-O-Meal is Northfield's leading employer, and a great corporate citizen in all of its

communities,” said Northfield mayor, Mary Rossing. “This award clearly demonstrates thecompany’s leadership and continued commitment to investing in creative solutions to helpsolve environmental problems. They are a shining example of the kind of company we wantto call Northfield its home.”

Development OpportunitiesThree prime gateway sites at the north-west entrance to downtown are avail-able. For more detailed information onthese and other available properties,visit the Economic Development pageon the City of Northfield website.

THE CROSSINGApproximately 2.5 acres of undevel-oped commercial land immediatelyadjacent to downtown. Full utilityservices, direct access to TH 3.

THE “Q” BLOCKApproximately 2 acres with high-visibility frontage along TH 3. Perfectfor high-traffic commercial uses.

WATER AND SECOND STREETSApproximately .65 acres zoned forretail, office or residential develop-ment. A high-visibility corner at thegateway to downtown Northfield.Full utility services, highway access.

THE CROSSING- COMMERCIALCommercialcondominiumsready for imme-diate occupancy.Perfect for retailor office, withhigh visibilityand direct high-way access.

Photo curtesy of Griff Wigley

801 Washington StreetNorthfield, MN 55057

507-645-3018www.ci.northfield.mn.us/businesseda@ci.northfield.mn.us

Get to Know Northfield“Get to Know Northfield,” a series of webvideos, offers an inside look at some of thepeople who make Northfield a unique com-munity. The nine segments highlight thecity’s rich history and traditions, it’s arts andcultural activities, its high quality educationand healthcare systems, and a number ofbusinesses that have chosen to locate here.Each webisode also features some of thequirky personalities that make Northfield anentertaining place to live, work, and play.The video project was sponsored by the

Economic Development Authority,Northfield’s two colleges – Carleton Collegeand St. Olaf College, Northfield Hospitalsand Clinics, the Northfield Area Chamber ofCommerce, and three local businesses.

You can find a link to the videos at ci.northfield.mn.us/assets/e/EDA/northfield_videos.html

Summer Events in NorthfieldTaste of NorthfieldJune 16 and 17

JuneBug Music FestivalJune 22–24

Crazy DazeJuly 28

Bridge Square Chamber Music FestivalAugust 18, 23, 25

Thursdays on the SquareThursday evenings

Riverwalk Market FairEvery Saturday June – October(food, farmers market, arts, crafts and street performers)

Defeat of Jesse James DaysSeptember 8-11

Economic Development Authority