5. EDSR 09-11-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Appendix E: Relevant News Articles (cont.) STAR NEN~S Posted: 8/15/06 County, data center pursue deal by Jim Boyle Editor For the second time since closing on the purchase of 76 acres of land early in 2005, Sherburne County has opportunity knocking on its door. UnitedHealthcare Services has come asking for about 16 acres of land for a data center, and it's willing to pay about $1.5 million for it. County officials have hammered out a letter of intent between the county and UnitedHealthcare, which will feel like deja vu for members of the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners. They had earlier approved a similar land deal with Target Corp. fora 159,400-square-foot data center that is well on its way to completion. The county sold about 30 acres of the 76 acres it controlled for that project. The land the county is selling had been prepared by the city of Elk River for industry when the county bought the site from Hoyt Partners L.L.P. The County Board was expected to act yesterday (Aug. 15) with similar expediency on the UnitedHealthcare Services proposal as it did with Target. "When an opportunity like this presents itself, you don't want to turn it down," Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney said. "We're absolutely elated." Heaney said economic development is at the forefront of the county board's interests, which makes it an easy proposition. Increasing tax base and high-paying jobs come with projects of this nature. "We're lucky we had the land that was available to bring in Target," Heaney said. "You can't ask for finer people." Data centers, Heaney said, provide for a nice transition between government buildings and the surrounding neighborhoods. UnitedHealthcare will have similar needs as the Target facility did, including the necessity to meet its incredible utility needs like electricity. Sherburne County still has not completed its analysis of its long-term needs for land and facilities on the remaining acreage. One project the county is still eyeing is that of a Veterans Administration clinic.