5.0. EDSR 06-14-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Patience pays off for Elk River venture ECONOMIC REBOUND REVIVES ORLUCK INDUSTRIES PROJECT In mid-2001,with a booming business and dwindling space in his leased facility in Dayton, Minn.,Mark Orluck was getting serious about relocation. His goal was to build a new facility 1 somewhere in the northwest Twin Cities metro area. But,those plans got sidetracked when 9/11 and a declining economy slowed the growth of his high-precision manufacturing firm. Fortunately,times have changed. Orluck Industries Inc. recently received final city and county approval for a new$1.41 million, 23,000 si .-, - of manufacturing facility on 2.79 acres in Elk River. it'V Q "Manufacturing has really picked up for us. It's gradually_ m b er,"Mr. Orluck says. "So, it's just a good time to do it." But,even with an improving economy,Orluck Industries probably wouldn't have been able to relocate to a new facility without the enthusiastic, ongoing support of the City of Elk River. City staff remained in close touch with Mr. Orluck even during the economic downturn. So,when he put the project back on the front burner early this year,they were fully prepared to move ahead. The Elk River Economic Development Department crafted an aggressive package of financial • assistance, and city staff shepherded the project through a fast-paced approval process this spring. "We've stuck with them through the long haul,"says Catherine Mehelich,Director of Economic Development. "Elk River has shown continued confidence in Orluck Industries and its potential." "I did talk to other cities,too,"including Big Lake,Mr. Orluck admits. But, in the end,he says he made the right choice by selecting Elk River. "Anybody I've dealt with there has been really positive and really aggressive in trying to make a deal that would work,"he says. The lot was a key component Orluck Industries produces light,precision c i1 •. ,! ,srl . -,.. i etal components for the medical,computer, semiconductor and telecommumc, o . •_'•'+r tri s.Mehelich says she first visited the firm's Dayton facility about two years ago and,eve(then,it was obvious that it had outgrown its leased space. "That was a telltale sign they were certainly ready for some elbow room and some expansion," she says. At the time, the firm leased about 4,800 square feet. It has since expanded to about 6,000 square feet,Mr. Orluck says. But, it's still not enough. •