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State’s $2 million grant boosts Marshall industrial park project

Mayor expects several industrial lots be shovel ready by spring

Photo by Mike Lamb Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes stands on the graded road inside the new industrial park located off of Minnesota Highway 68 at Lake Road. Byrnes said Wednesday several of the lots will be shovel ready by spring.

ST. PAUL — Thanks to a $2 million grant approved by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and favorable weather conditions last fall, there will be shovel-ready lots inside Marshall’s Industrial Park this year, according to Mayor Bob Byrnes.

“It’s good news. It will cover a portion of the cost of developing the Industrial Park,” Byrnes said in reaction to DEED’s announcement Wednesday of grants totaling $5.24 million for construction projects in four Greater Minnesota communities. Royalton, Brooten and Luverne also received grants.

The grants were actually approved during the fourth quarter of 2017, but DEED made the announcement Wednesday.

Marshall’s industrial project under currently under construction is located off of Minnesota Highway 68 at Lake Road.

According to the DEED announcement, the grant will help fund a $5.15 million development project of a new industrial park in Marshall to accommodate an expansion by Ralco’s tru Shrimp. However, tru Shrimp announced in November its first hatchery would be built in Luverne instead of Marshall. According to Byrnes, Marshall still hopes to attract future tru Shrimp facilities at its industrial park.

Luverne received $1.98 million to help assist with its $5.39 million project to accommodate tru Shrimp’s hatchery project.

“We started work last October and had an amazing fall in starting work,” Byrnes said of the Marshall project. He said construction was helped by several days without rain.

“These grants demonstrate how state government and the private sector can collaborate to create greater opportunity and continued economic growth throughout Minnesota,” said Gov. Mark Dayton. “Working together, these business expansions will support vibrant communities and create nearly 100 new jobs in Royalton, Brooten, Marshall and Luverne.”

“These cities will add jobs, increase their tax bases and attract businesses because of the support they received from this program,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “These grants are an important economic development tool for communities throughout the state.”

Under the program, DEED awards grants for up to 50 percent of the cost of public infrastructure that supports economic development outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.

Eligible infrastructure includes wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers, utility extensions and streets.

“Congratulations to those who were instrumental in submitting a winning grant application,” State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, said Wednesday. “This is an example of how public and private sectors can work together to build economic growth in Greater Minnesota. I look forward to seeing the new jobs and other benefits this project brings to our area.”

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