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<br /> ' ExcitingEdgeS rtech Rides on Elk Rivers ,�
<br /> RESIDENTS TRADE DASH TIME IN
<br /> THE MINI-VAN FOR MORE FAMILY ��
<br /> TIME IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS , . _ a _
<br /> nesotans are passionate about
<br /> „ M mthe outdoors, travel and seeing k ��
<br /> r
<br /> the state," says Sportech CEO Chris �`� ��� � r
<br /> Carlson. "My wife and I grew up in
<br /> Northern Minnesota and still maintain
<br /> a cabin there. We moved to Elk River mid''' � ,_ �' ,..
<br /> in 1987 because of the city's small ,. "i` " -0; k '�
<br /> town feel. Where else can you live in k .w
<br /> the country and still be only a 10- f �
<br /> e- r
<br /> .
<br /> minute drive from Menard's?" Chris G3
<br /> asks. # �.
<br /> Started in Carlson's pole-barn in 1993, °'
<br /> Sportech recently expanded into a ''
<br /> 20 0 square foot facility on the edge 6 4 ,'
<br /> o c River's East Industrial Park. : w� :€ - ,, ,,
<br /> many sales exceeded $6 million in -° k i t� jr,_
<br /> fiscal 2002, following a spectacular
<br /> growth curve that's the envy of other 14!",„,,,,,;
<br /> '''' '
<br /> manufacturers in the snowmobile :
<br /> industry who have been hammered by - ie4
<br /> the recession and a string of snowless X
<br /> winters. Sportech currently employs „...»
<br /> more than 30 workers who design and
<br /> produce stylish accessories, including " ° ., '
<br /> the incredibly popular Cobra wind- m.
<br /> shield, and array of goodies for snow- `�` "` M:.
<br /> mobiles, ATVs and other recreational ,mss _
<br /> machines. ,4,,,t,„
<br /> Enjoying Life's Perks -
<br /> A mere 8 miles north of the highly traf- - --°-
<br /> ficked 494 beltline, Elk River attracts
<br /> manufacturers seeking excellent access
<br /> to the labor force and suppliers. Fast �""W
<br /> growth in the north and west quan "-:7,,,70-,1 „ar
<br /> drants of the Minneapolis/St. Paul „44. ""”"
<br /> metro continue to produce an ample
<br /> supply of skilled workers eager to , „, 0
<br /> Apr
<br /> reverse commute to Elk River. "We've
<br /> been able to hire and retain some day to have lunch with their children. camaraderie of the active business
<br /> incredibly gifted people who are tired That's a luxury we value. People who community that add up to a lifestyle
<br /> of commuting into the congested live and work in Elk River really have that fits my family's growing needs."
<br /> metro," explains Chris. the best of both worlds," he says.
<br /> "We have dozens of friends in other Carlson says it isn't easy to sum up Elk A Key Destination on
<br /> pilli\of the metro area who take it for River's lasting appeal, "It isn't one spe- the Recreational Corridor
<br /> g d that they have to do hour-long cific reason. There's the geographical "Many people travel through Elk River
<br /> commutes.To us,quality family time is proximity to cabin country and metro, on Friday and Sunday nights," notes
<br /> better spent fishing on the river than the small-town flavor, the academic Chris. "The city is a stopping point
<br /> commuting with the kids. Some of our excellence of our school system with along the 169 recreational corridor
<br /> managers at Sportech go home every highly competitive athletics, and the ELK RIVER to page 89
<br /> For more information on the above properties go to www.mncar.org Minnesota Leasing Guide August 2002 87
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