MN: Companies Announce 31 Expansions, 1,800 Jobs in 2014 First Quarter

Companies announced plans in the first quarter for 31 expansion projects that will create nearly 1,800 jobs in Minnesota, according to the latest business expansion report from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The agency said the projects include HexFuel, a diesel technology startup that plans to hire 300 people within five years in Hastings; Cardiovascular Systems, a med-tech firm that is adding 275 workers at a new $20 million headquarters and manufacturing facility in New Brighton; and Verizon Wireless, which is hiring 160 people at its call center in Mankato.

“Minnesota had another strong quarter for corporate expansions, thanks to our exceptional workforce and positive business climate,” said DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. “Companies are coming to Minnesota because they know they will succeed here.”

DEED was directly involved in 11 of the 31 projects, providing financial incentives through three of its programs – the Minnesota Investment Fund, the Minnesota Job Creation Fund or the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership.

Among other highlights from the report:

1. Manufacturing accounted for 15 of the 31 projects in such areas as electronics, machine tools, textiles and even custom-built ice-fishing houses.

2. Several projects were for new headquarters. Along with Cardiovascular Systems, other companies that announced new headquarters were Anytime Fitness in Woodbury, It’s Fresh! in Eden Prairie and Ovative/Group, Solve and RedBrick Health in Minneapolis.

3. Thirteen of the projects were in Greater Minnesota, including Axis Clinicals, an India-based pharmaceutical clinical trial company that is opening its first U.S. research and analysis facility in Dilworth. The company plans to invest $12 million and create 100 jobs.

Elsewhere in the state, Kentucky-based Bluegrass Proteins announced it will create 56 jobs and invest $18.2 million in an expansion project in Dawson, Harmony Enterprises is investing $1.1 million and adding 14 jobs in Harmony, and HCL America is hiring 100 new workers at an expanded call center in Duluth.

The full 2014 first quarter business expansion report and a map showing where the expansions will occur can be found here.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at http://mn.gov/deed/ . Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mndeed.