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<br /> HOT SPOTS ` . . . .
<br /> Where the action is
<br /> High-tech hot spots are emerging in some unexpected places
<br /> BY STEPHEN DUPONT Ardell C.Paulson,president of Diamond
<br /> Tool."We had more than 300 job applicants
<br /> from this area before we actually made the
<br /> If you're traveling to the headwaters of the move.But what's been nice is this communi-
<br /> " Mississippi at Itasca State Park,the best way ty really wants us,and that's everything:'
<br /> to go is Hwy.71,a road that will take you Sebeka's story is echoed in towns and
<br /> past dairy farms,pine forests and resort cities throughout the state.Technology-
<br /> ir.., towns.Along the way,you may want to stop based businesses are emerging in areas bet-
<br /> �� ` off to see an interesting sight.It's not an ter known for turkey farms,lake resorts and
<br /> I* eelpout farm or the world's largest ball of mines.The message from Sebeka.is dear:If
<br /> .'. " dryer lint.It's the town of Sebeka,population you want the business,you re going to have
<br /> rui='" 642,which has gained a new lease on life as to earn it,and that takes vision,planning,
<br /> host to a new generation of businesses. infrastructure,cash—and guts.
<br /> Alarmed by the decline in the dairy and "We hada lot of people sitting around in
<br /> , farming industries and recognizing that , the coffee shop moaning and groaning
<br /> °�
<br /> .• companies needed good employees,Sebeks about the future of our town:'Hodgden says.
<br /> '" h: leaders began persuading businesses to relo- "It's especially sad to see the young people
<br /> ,�" ' ' cate or open offices there. move away,but what can you do when you
<br /> ;' In April 1998,Mayor Bill Hodgden,who have no opportunities to offer them?Well,
<br /> fi ' " owns the Sebeka Motel,responded to a Star we decided to do something about it.It's
<br /> L. : ` Tribune article about Minnesota's low hard.Still is.But,if we can do it,any town
<br /> `u unemployment rate and challenged the can do it:'
<br /> ''` paper to write about his town's most valu-
<br /> a able asset—its people.The day after the Where it's at
<br /> story ran,Hodgden s phone started ringing. In the past four years,more than 1,700
<br /> Today,Eagan-based Cross Consulting manufacturing jobs,4,200 service related
<br /> J`, t{ffi Group Inc.,a 50 person firm that offers jobs and 2,400 new retail jobs have been cre-
<br /> ated mainframe programming at reduced rates, ated in Greater Minnesota thanks to start-up
<br /> t `'- - : and Northwest Financial Group Inc.,a businesses and expansions by existing ones,
<br /> . - 'l ' Minneapolis-based mortgage company,have according to the state Department of Trade
<br /> satellite offices in Sebeka employing 53 peo- &Economic Development(DTED).Since
<br /> n
<br /> le Meanwhile,Meanwhile,12 employees followed 1991,outstate Minnesota has gained or gen-
<br /> ,,'
<br /> en-
<br /> r Diamond Tool Inc.,a manufacturer of metal erated more than 30,000 manufacturing
<br /> and plastic assemblies,when it relocated jobs,compared to 8,000 in the Twin Cities.
<br /> . ' from Hanover.Now Sebeka faces new chat-
<br /> '. "It's no secret;'says John Feltl,principal
<br /> gin,'? x l` lenges:It only has one empty building left, investment banking of regional investment
<br /> C5 'f` °t and it's facing a housing shortage.More than firm RJ Steichen&Co.in Minneapolis."The
<br /> t` 100 more jobs will be added by its three new action is where the good people are and
<br /> companies in the next two years. where there are those who are willing to take
<br /> "The people here are a big benefit:'says a risk:'
<br /> 52
<br /> s" ' Ventures November 1999
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