News Releases

June 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicky Herkenhoff
Stearns Electric Association
Phone: 320 259-6601
Fax: 320 259-7099

Two local organizations receive award for 
Best Business Retention and Expansion Project

June 22, 2006: Two local organizations receive award for Best Business Retention and Expansion Project At the annual summer conference of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) two local organizations were recognized with an award for their efforts in business retention and project expansion. The St. Cloud Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) together with Stearns Electric Association received the award for their efforts in bringing Arctic Cat, Inc. to the area. 

Construction has begun on the Arctic Cat project and is expected to be complete the fall of 2006. The initial 56,000 sq. ft. building can potentially be expanded to over 200,000 sq. ft. Arctic Cat will create 50 new jobs to the St. Cloud area with possible future job potential to over 200.

“We are proud that Arctic Cat chose to expand in St. Cloud and very pleased to accept this award on behalf of the entire St. Cloud Community,” said HRA Executive Director Bruce Thielman. “This was a very competitive project that required a partnership with the State of Minnesota, the City of St. Cloud, our educational institutions, Stearns Electric Association and others from the private sector. In the end, St. Cloud was selected because of the skilled and productive workforce that exists in Central Minnesota which is a tribute to the entire Community,” concluded Thielman. 

EDAM is a nonprofit professional association of individuals and organizations throughout the state of Minnesota dedicated to the advancement of the economic development profession.

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