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<br />The West Park features adjacent 20-
<br />and 22-acre sites that run parallel to U.S.
<br />10. These sites, which stretch west to
<br />the Sherburne County Government Cen-
<br />ter, have been rough graded and the utili-
<br />ties-gas, water and electric-are already
<br />in place.
<br />On the other side of the Government
<br />Center is an 83-acre tract scheduled to
<br />be ready for development in September
<br />of this year. Both the East and West
<br />Parks sit on major transportation corridors, highways and rails that
<br />link the parks to the rest of the state and beyond.
<br />"These areas are zoned 'business park' and are ideal locations for
<br />campus environments," Nevinski said. "The design requirements are a bit
<br />higher than the more established industrial parks we have, but trails,
<br />ponds and other amenities will be incorporated into the parks as they
<br />develop."
<br />
<br />
<br />bills by 30 percent in Ohio and West Vir-
<br />,~ ginia. We can also heat a swimming pool
<br />for around ten dollars a month, as op-
<br />posed to $300 a month for natural gas."
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<br />Elk', River
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<br />Even though the city is looking more toward embracing the industrial
<br />company to take root and grow within its corporate limits, its arms ~ (!~
<br />have and will spread wider. Another drawing card for the city is its "Energy City" designation by a
<br />"Though we've leaned toward more of the machining, metals and com- state organization called Energy Alley. Conservation, innovation and de-
<br />puter-electronics companies," Nevinski said, "we're looking for viable cades worth of just saying no to pollution has pOlished Minnesota's emer-
<br />companies who are looking to stay in the area once they become estab- aid city as it strives to keep "green."
<br />Iished. Companies who will create good wages and make capital invest- In 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded Elk River its
<br />ments-we're certainly open to meeting with them in the hopes of inviting Project of the Year for the city's flame that burns off methane that forms
<br />them in." Sometimes that means helping companies establish themselves, inside landfiil berms; and city environmental-energy leaders meet monthly
<br />nonbankable companies who are looking to go public. Candidates forthe with state energy leaders in discussing energy matters since the city is
<br />city's incubator program are chosen by the Economic Development Au- the state focal point for new energy technology and services. These "en-
<br />thority. ergy talks" often produce award-worthy innovations such as "energy
<br />"We're not necessarily targeting new manufacturing companies forthe houses" that feature a dozen or so energy technologies in each house.
<br />incubator," Nevinski said, "but companies offering high-tech prod- Energy House I, for example, uses a geothermal pump for heating and
<br />ucts or services." The EDA leases the incubator building at a low per- cooling the interior of the home, using the constant temperature of the
<br />square-foot cost. The space has been improved and divided into various earth below the frost line.
<br />suites. A company can pay a portion of its rent in cash, and the remainder The city is also set to receive one of the largest wind generators in
<br />of rent is bartered for stock. the world. With a height of nearly 200 feet and blades with a diameter
<br />One company currently in the Elk River incubator is SolarAttic, a com- of close to 180 feet, the wind turbine will generate enough power to
<br />pany that developed the technology to recycle the heat that gets trapped in run 250 homes.
<br />attics. "Environmentally," said Stephen Rohlf, the city's building and zoning
<br />"We can take attic heat," said company founder Ed Palmer, "and put it administrator, "Elk River has a reputation of being tough but fair. There's a
<br />back into the house to reduce heating costs. Or we can use it to heat lot of mineral mining going on just north of town. When a mineral contrac-
<br />swimming pOOls or hot water. And when you take heat out of the attic, you tor was asked, in an environmental context, what the toughest city was
<br />won't have to run the air conditioner as much in the summer." While he'd ever worked in, he said Elk River. And when he was asked what his
<br />developing his energy-saving technology, Palmer worked out of his ga- favorite city to work in was, his answer was the same-Elk River. That's
<br />rage for years, slowly refining the idea since June of 1984. In August one of the more honest compliments on our city that I can remember."
<br />of '86 Palmer began working full time on his concept, and now he's Minutes from the Twin Cities yet far enough away to have maintained
<br />taken it a step further by working out of the city's incubator. its small-town character, Elk River still offers both industrial and high-tech
<br />Ed Palmer on the Elk River Incubator: "It's been extremely helpful-it got opportunities to companies looking to expand or establish themselves.
<br />us out of the garage. The incubator gave us a commercial opportunity A../ _\(
<br />where customers and investors can come out and see our products and ~)/
<br />our small manufacturing facility. People are a little weary about driv- EC"'I"kf",: . 'RI'ver
<br />ing out to someone's garage in a residential area. It's given us a big
<br />boost in driving us forward." 330
<br />SolarAttic pool systems are currently used in 33 states, and the 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, Minnesota 55
<br />attic units in 16. TOO & Phone: 763-441-7420. Fax: 763-441-7425
<br />"The attic unit has proved," Palmer said, "to cut annual heating www.elk-river.mn.us
<br />
<br />REPRINTED FROM Business &. Industry MAGAZINE
<br />
<br />~A+J.~
<br />Yet the average cost of industrial
<br />square footage in Elk River will hardly
<br />detour a company from setting up shop.
<br />"The price of industrial land here,"
<br />Nevinski said, "is Quite reasonable. From $1 to $1.20 per square foot,
<br />which includes the improvements. In some nearby areas, that price
<br />goes up anywhere from $2 to $3 dollars per square foot." Yet, there
<br />are other incentives for prospective businesses.
<br />Financially, Elk River is competitive with other communities in the
<br />state, offering tax increment financing, tax abatement and sub-prime loans
<br />among other tools.
<br />"We can also provide assistance to both new and existing businesses
<br />that qualify," Nevinski said, "but we're careful not to overburden our tax-
<br />payers. Keeping taxes low is a priority of the council."
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