2014 Lakes Area Fact Fook

Alexandria Area Economic Development 2014 Commission Welcome

fact book

2 Introduction

13 Lending Environment

3 Quick Facts

14 Real Estate & Market Values

4 Population & Demographics

17 Pull Factors

7 Unemployment Rates

18 Education Opportunities

8 Economic Indicators

20 Healthcare

9 Industry

21 Transportation

The Alexandria area is a regional center sustaining a vibrant, growing economy that is attractive to businesses and to a capable, productive workforce. This report is a way to help our community show progress toward achieving desired outcomes for a healthy community.

The mission of the AAEDC is to provide regional leadership in a collaborative effort to facilitate job growth.

Strategy 1: Lead initiatives to support the retention, attraction, and growth of quality jobs in the Alexandria region.

Strategy 3: Engage with public and private partners to stimulate development of land, housing, infrastructure and community amenities needed to accommodate economic growth in the Alexandria region.

2

Strategy 2: Collaborate with community partners to ensure that the Alexandria area develops, attracts and retains a workforce that meets the needs of area employers.

Strategy 4: Maintain strong organizational capacity to provide economic development leadership in the Alexandria Area and execute the organization’s strategic plan.

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

Regional Snapshot ...

Douglas County Household

1866

DOUGLAS COUNTY BORDERS SET

2012

Living in same house 1 year & 86.20% over, percent, 2007-2011 Douglas County land in TOTAL High school graduate or 91.30% BUSINESSES higher, square miles - percent of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 Bachelor's degree or higher, 22.50% Douglas County percentpersons of persons age 25+, 2007-2011 per squareVeterans, mile - 2007-2011 TOTAL 3,489 EMPLOYMENT Housing units, 2011 19,913

637.3

3768

56.5

23

110 5

$50,365

Locally

Place where business & quality of life meet Home to an entrepreneurial spirit Great place to vacation • Great place to live 3

17,794

Homeownership rate, 75.50% LOCAL PARKS 2007-2011 Median $188,100 ACCESS TO value of owneroccupied housing units, TOTAL TRAIL MILES 2007-2011 HOUSING UNITS Households, 2007-2011 16,222 ARTS CENTERS Persons per household, 2.18 2007-2011 Per capita income in the past $26,301 TOTAL 12 months WORKFORCE (2011 dollars), 2007-2011 Median household income, $48,436 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD 2007-2011 INCOME Persons below poverty level, 11.00% percent, 2007-2011 PEOPLE BELOW controlled law enforcement POVERTY LEVEL

20,006 21,406

10.3% MEDIAN AGE

43.6

Source: US Census Quickfacts & MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

POPULATION

7th Best Small Town

Alexandria was voted 7th Best Small Town in America by Liveability.com

Top Micropolitan in Minnesota

DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMUNITIES

Alexandria was voted the 2014 “Fastest Growing Micropolitan” in Minnesota by Site Selection Magazine

6th Micropolitan in the Nation

Alexandria was also voted the 6th “Fastest Growing Micropolitan” in the Nation by Site Selection Magazine

Area City of Alexandria City of Garfield City of Osakis (Douglas County) Alexandria Township Brandon Township Carlos Township Hudson Township LaGrand Township Lake Mary Township Douglas County

2010 11,070 354 1,591 4,098 713 2,048 876 4,210 1,098 36,009

2011 12,920 351 1,591 2,687 702 2,014 872 4,178 1,085 36,240

2012 13,008 354 1,598 2,703 704 2,017 874 4,186 1,088 36,412

2013 13,045 256 1,603 2730 715 2029 880 4,185 1,086 36,529

Sources: www.demography.state.mn.us & US Census Bureau Fact Finder

4

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA Population: 13,045

CITY OF BRANDON Population: 494

CITY OF CARLOS Population: 501

CITY OF KENSINGTON Population: 293

CITY OF MILLERVILLE Population: 107

CITY OF MILTONA Population: 431

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

DEMOGRAPHICS DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS

15,650 ALEXANDRIA HOUSEHOLDS

6,149

Douglas County Population Projection by Age

DOUGLAS COUNTY POPULATION PROJECTIONS

age 80+

2190 3920

2510 4980

3160

4040

5930

6,350

age 70-79

5230

6300

6780

6380

5960

age 60-69

5460

5,950

5630

5300

5790

6,360

age 50-59

4890

4650

5360

5980

5850

5610

age 40-49

5060

5,750

5520

5270

4990

4,940

age 30-39

4940

4640

4420

4430

4640

4750

8620

9,060

9410

9450

9150

8,960

2010

2,015

2020

2025

2030

2035

2060 3,120

2070 2760 4090

Age

0-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

CITY OF FORADA Population: 168

CITY OF GARFIELD Population: 356

CITY OF NELSON Population: 188

CITY OF OSAKIS Population: 1,740

DOUGLAS COUNTY Population: 36,529

age 0-19

80+

CITY OF EVANSVILLE Population: 613

age 20-29

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 55

age of current

Population

People

of Douglas County

People

People

People Sources: www.demography.state.mn.us & US Census Bureau Fact Finder

workforce available in 6,564

20,877

2,977,908

City of Alexandria

Douglas County

Minnesota

UNEMPLOYMENT 5.0%

3.3%

4.2%

City of Alexandria

Douglas County

Minnesota

RATES

The average commute time for workers in the Douglas County area is 18.7 minutes - lower than the Minnesota average of 23 minutes.

Local businesses draw approximately 16,879 employees from throughout the region to work within Douglas County. Douglas County residents make up 72.9% of the workforce, while the remaining workers come from surrounding counties. Douglas County is a NET IMPORTER of labor -bringing in more workers than it sends out.

Douglas County Employees Commuting into County

Douglas County Residents Commuting out of County

Douglas County Residents working in Douglas County 11,115

7

Pope County

919

Pope County

763

Todd County

821

Todd County

137

Ottertail County

769

Ottertail County

369

Grant County

412

Grant County

225

Stearns County

748

Stearns County

763

Other

2095

Other

884

Total

5,764

Total

4,135

Sources: www.demography.state.mn.us & U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Stats (Beginning of Quarter Employment, 2nd Quarter of 2002-2011). & MN DEED 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

$

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Douglas County Median household income is $50,365 Douglas County Mean household income is $61,303

DOUGLAS COUNTY INCOME DISTRIBUTION

Sources: www.demography.state.mn.us & US Census Bureau Fact Finder

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2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

NATURAL RESOURCES

NaturalCONSTRUCTION Resources MANUFACTURING TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION FINANCIAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EDUCATION HOSPITALITY OTHER PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The City of Alexandria has a Median household income of $49,761

$

Sources: www.demography.state.mn.us & US Census Bureau Fact Finder

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 99

DOUGLAS COUNTY LARGE EMPLOYERS

A

lexandria & Douglas County are home to a variety of industry clusters that make up a well-balanced economic environment. The strong local economy in combination with a skilled workforce, attractive natural environment, and exceptional transportation accessibility continues to encourage growth throughout the region.

Company Douglas County Hospital Alexandria Public Schools Douglas Machine, Inc. Knute Nelson Alexandria Industries Douglas County 3M - Alexandria Central Specialties Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center Brenton Engineering Donnelly Custom Manufacturing Company SunOpta Tastefully Simple Alexandria Pro Fab Alexandria Technical & Community College Henry's Foods Ecumen Bethany Community Sanford Health PrimeWest Aagard Group Douglas Scientific

Industry Healthcare Education Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Health Care Aluminum Extrusion/Precision Machining/Finishing/Plastic Extrusions Government Abrasives Manufacturing Road Construction Leisure & Hospitality

Number of Employees 865 632 620 478 450

Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Plastic Molding Manufacturing

235 225

Dairy Product Manufacturing Direct Sales Manufacturing Education

222 200 200 180

Grocery Product Wholesale Healthcare Healthcare Health Insurance Provider Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Manufacturing

180 180 140 134 105 102

350 340 285 280

10 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

MANUFACTURING: The Alexandria area is home to five of

the world’s leading manufacturers of automated packaging machines, marking the region as one of the leaders in technology development and innovation in this industry. Equipment designed, engineered, and manufactured by Alexandria area companies is utilized by businesses across the United States and around the world.

In July of 2009, company leaders of four of the area’s automated packaging machine manufacturing companies came together to form the Packaging Machining Manufacturers Consortium (PMMC). As a part of the PMMC,company leaders agree to pool resources for the purpose of non-competitive recruiting, hiring, and retention of talented staff who will enhance and expand the knowledge base and experience level of the region and industry.

HEALTHCARE:

Alexandria area health care providers serve approximately 150,000 people from throughout west central Minnesota. Primary and general care, along with a wide variety of elective procedures and specialty care options available right in the Alexandria area provide options that are close to home for residents, and draw patients into Alexandria from throughout the region. In addition, the area offers a wide variety of dental, chiropractic, natural/homeopathic, and long-term & senior care options.

TOURISM:

The Alexandria area is home to extreme natural beauty and being centrally located in the State of Minnesota we have a thriving tourism industry. This industry is not new to the area, in fact, it was one of the founding features of economic strength in our Region. Large hotels and resorts were built along lakeshores and alongside the railroad stops in the early 1900’s. Alexandria has welcomed visitors from great distances away for years and continues to do so now.

The City of Alexandria established a lodging tax in 1998. A 3% tax is collected on all lodging properties in the city limits including: 3 resorts, 3 motels, 7 hotels, a B&B and a reunion lodge. The proceeds from this collection must go to spending in promotional and marketing activity to encourage people to come and stay in our area. Many return multiple times after their first visit. We have a natural fit for families and ages to vacation in style.

The lodging tax has almost doubled in its years of existence. Growth has continued in the last five years exponentially. We saw growth of 4% in 2010, 9% in 2011, 6% in 2012 and 7% in 2013. Alexandria is fortunate to see this growth, but with a strong manufacturing, health care, agricultural, and educational systems we will continue to always look to a promising future.

Our tourism office is here to serve – if there is ever a need, don’t hesitate to contact them at 320-763-0102, or 1-800-245-2539. www.ExploreAlex.com

RETAIL: The strength of Alexandria/Douglas County’s diverse retail marketplace is directly connected

to the regional draw of its other industry clusters. Regional customers utilize local retail businesses on the way to or from work, in connection with the use of local medical and professional services, or because of their connection to local educational opportunities. In addition, regional tourists bring a significant amount of purchasing power to the community. Due to this strong regional and tourist retail support, Alexandria has had one of the highest per capital taxable retail sales amounts of any city in Minnesota for a number of years.

INDUSTRY EMPLOYS OVER 17,000 PEOPLE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

Industry

Job Growth in Douglas County

Trade, Trasportation, & Utilities

Education & Health Services

Manufacturing

Source: MN DEED - Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages

Top PROJECTED Job Growers in the Region 2010-2020

Service Education & Health Services Health Care Trade, Transportation & Utilities

Manufacturing

Source: MN DEED - Occupations in Demand EDR 4: West Central MN

Construction 10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000 People

12 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

Lending Environment Douglas County

The lending environment of the Douglas County area continues to experience substantial growth with total deposits increasing 9% overall from 2011. Despite the difficult economic environment of past years, this increase in deposits highlights the overall attractiveness of the region to both businesses and individuals.

Institution*

2011 Deposits

2012 Deposits

2013 Deposits

Change 2011-2013

American National Bank of MN

$14,242,000.00

$14,119,000.00

$15,049,000.00

6%

Bell State Bank & Trust BlackRidgeBANK Bremer Bank NA First National Bank of Osakis First Security Bank of Evansville First State Bank of Kensington Gate City Bank Glenwood State Bank Hometown Community Bank Neighborhood National Bank US Bank NA Viking Savings Bank Wells Fargo Bank NA

$47,129,000.00 $92,397,000.00 $249,873,000.00 $52,036,000.00 $14,279,000.00 $46,000,000.00 $6,812,000.00 $32,354,000.00 $11,049,000.00 $42,795,000.00 $49,779,000.00 $116,413,000.00 $91,333,000.00

$59,871,000.00 $86,478,000.00 $274,429,000.00 $53,392,000.00 $14,412,000.00 $44,631,000.00 $8,447,000.00 $40,440,000.00 $10,227,000.00 $40,229,000.00 $51,394,000.00 $119,398,000.00 $103,631,000.00

$67,407,000.00 $84,049,000.00 $267,894.00 $54,119,000.00 $14,634,000.00 $43,709,000.00 $9,233,000.00 $46,422,000.00 $10,853,000.00 $41,288,000.00 $53,180,000.00 $113,053,000.00 $120,190,000.00

43% -9% 7% 4% -2% -5% 35% 44% -2% -4% 7% -3% 32%

Total Douglas County Deposits

$867,141,000.00

$921,098,000.00

$941,170,000.00

9%

$150,934,000.00 $167,797,000.00 $1,153,207,000.00 $1,180,927,000.00 $254,446,000.00 $268,564,000.00 $3,650,992,000.00 $3,847,187,000.00 $290,772,000.00 $289,375,000.00

16% 8% 12% 14% 1%

Grant County Ottertail County Pope County Stearns County Todd County

$145,088,000.00 $1,096,636,000.00 $240,102,000.00 $3,361,666,000.00 $287,032,000.00

Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - www2.fdic.gov - Summary of Deposits *Credit Union deposit information is not included in this table due to different organizational reporting methods.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) activity is also an indicator of economic growth.

The SBA does not make direct loans to small businesses, but sets the guidelines for loans which are made by its partners (lenders, community development organizations, and microlending institutions). SBA guarantees that these loans will be repaid, thus eliminating some of the risk to the lending partners. As a result, when a business applies for an SBA loan, it is actually applying for a commercial loan, structured according to SBA requirements with an SBA guarantee.

SBA Minnesota District Office - (612) 370-2324 www.sba.gov/local resources/district/mn/

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2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 13 13

REAL ESTATE

data from 2013.

Source: Greater Alexandria Area Association of Realtors & US Census Fact Finder

Douglas County offers a range of residential, industrial and commercial property opportunities.

The area has seen an overall increase in the number of properties sold in the area since 2009, with single family home sales increasing 26% from last year. The County also has a very strong rental market with a current vacancy rate of 4.7% . Year 2012 2011 2010 2009

Sales 572 452 410 387

Median Residential Sale Price on Single Family Home $186,094.50 $198,500.00 $209,248.60 $201,258.00

SOLD REAL ESTATE 2013 Properties Sold Residential Residential with acreage (5-10 acres) Lakeshore Homes Condo/ Townhome Lake Condo/ Townhome Farm with Building Commercial

Units Sold 392 18

Average Sale Price $154,781 $200,659

Average Days on Market 142 185

159 60

$316,933 $146,778

179 198

28

$250,206

225

2 21

$128,750 $170,350

147 191

The median value for a home owned in Douglas County is $190,500

14 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

Sources: City of Alexandria & Douglas County Land & Resource

15 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

MARKET VALUES The increase in building permits and home sales has directly impacted the taxable market values in Douglas County. Overall, rates continue to rise with 2014 values showing a 4% increase from the 2013 values.

Douglas County Taxable Market Values Area 2013 Totals Alexandria Township $314,185,400 Brandon Township $148,255,800 Carlos Township $438,561,200 Hudson Township $156,335,700 LaGrand Township $535,918,300 Lake Mary Township $188,274,600 City of Alexandria $1,423,760,700 City of Garfield $18,722,700 City of Osakis $94,598 Douglas County $5,123,759,400

2014 Totals $320,395,800 $156,157,900 $458,098,900 $170,411,000 $548,009,000 $196,136,200 $1,470,052,600 $19,149,300 $94,849,800 $5,330,089,800

2014 DOUGLAS COUNTY CITY TAX RATES City Alexandria Brandon Carlos Evansville Garfield Miltona Osakis

Total Tax Capacity $15,057,385 $250,861 $190,122 $197,069 $190,258 $184,438 $677,688

County 53.86% 53.86% 53.86% 53.86% 53.86% 53.86% 53.86%

Douglas County saw an increase of 12.8% in taxable market values from 2013.

2014 Net Tax Capacity Rates City School Special 43.26% 22.62% 2.35% 77.16% 7.39% 1.41% 80.61% 22.62% 1.44% 106.06% 7.39% 1.44% 61.32% 22.62% 2.29% 74.17% 22.62% 1.44% 61.14% 34.07% 2.29%

Total 122.09% 139.56% 158.53% 168.75% 140.09% 151.71% 149.82%

Source: Douglas County Assessor’s Office

16 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 46

are several ways to measure performance of a region other than dollars of sales. Economists expect cities of larger There populations to have more sales since their potential customer base is larger.

A way to compensate for that in a retail trade analysis is to measure the pull factor, which compares the local taxable sales per capita to that of the state.

A pull factor index higher than 1.0 indicates that businesses are pulling in customers from outside their community.

Alexandria has one of the highest Pull Factors in the state at 2.58.

On individual business categories, Alexandria ranks in the top 3 in any category for similar sized cities.

City Alexandria Bemidji Detroit Lakes Fergus Falls

2012 Population Gross Sales in Millions 13,008 $737.1 13,560 $662.4 8,763 $407.1 13,228 $591.2

Taxable Sales in Millions $323.91 $289.40 $165.68 $220.23

Number of Firms 578 486 290 335

Per Capita Taxable Sales $24,900 $21,342 $18,907 $16,649

Pull Factor 2.58 2.21 1.96 1.72

Source: University of MN, Extension 2012 RTA

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 17 17

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 18 18

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HIGHER EDUCATION

Alexandria Technical & Community College, one of America’s premier two year colleges, offers applied learning in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

ATCC boasts the highest graduation rate all of Minnesota public two-year colleges. The college’s connections to business and industry ensure currency and trade standards in its technical degrees, delivering a highly skilled workforce. In addition to its signature technical programs, the college also offers transfer degrees that provide significant educational opportunities for students. Founded in 1961, Alexandria Technical & Community College has established a solid reputation for quality instruction and responsive student services.

The college is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and currently serves over 4,000 students annually.

Alexandria Technical & Community College’s Foundation distributes over $375,000 in student support and scholarships each year. Additionally, 80% of students recently received more than $15 million in some form of financial aid. Job placement rates for graduates have been over 95%, reflecting both the college’s rigorous curriculum and its reputation as an educational leader.

Direct: (320) 762-0221 - Toll Free: (888) 234-1222 www.alextech.edu The Customized Training Center provides customer centered, industry driven workforce solutions through dedicated people who are focused on providing services that exceed customer expectation and provide exceptional value.

Automation & Manufacturing - CNC, Manufacturing Technologies, Quality, Robotics Business & Management - Diversity, Organizational Development, Marketing, Small Business Workshops Computer Technology - Microsoft Applications, Online eMarketing Healthcare - CPR & First Aid, Nursing Assistant, Nursing Continuing Education, Online Medical Terminology Public & Workplace Safety - Fire Fighter Training, Fire Extinguisher, Forklift, Law Enforcement Continuing Education, OSHA Specialized Training - Boiler Plant Operator, Child Development, Food Service, Handgun, Senior College Transportation - Motorcycle Safety, MN Commercial Vehicle Inspection Training, MN Truck Weight Education

Customized Training served over 19,000 people last year Contact the Customized Training Center at Alexandria Technical & Community College with your specific organizational goals and challenges.

Direct: (320) 762-4510 - Toll Free: (888) 234-1313 www.alextech.edu/CustomizedTraining

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 19 19

DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTHCARE Douglas County Hospital is a family of trusted health care professionals focused on providing advanced care solutions for their patients, families and community. Together with their local health care partners Alexandria Clinic and Heartland Orthopedic Specialists they form a publicly-owned organization providing care that is integrated, offering seamless communication and a united purpose: the health and wellness of our community.

Douglas County Hospital is a 127-bed acute care hospital serving approximately 150,000 people in West Central MN. Located in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country, the hospital is classified as a Medicare Rural Referral Center and Sole Community Hospital. Douglas County Hospital is provides a wide range of primary care and specialty services including: orthopedics, urology, ophthalmology, general surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, pain management, spine surgery, podiatry and a hospitalist program.

Douglas County Hospital is accredited by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program and has been named a Top 100 Hospital in 2001 and 2008.

111 17th Ave East, Alexandria - (320) 762-1511 - www.dchospital.com For over 60 years, Alexandria Clinic, a service of Douglas County Hospital, has provided the region with preventive, interventional, and supportive services in a compassionate, thoughtful, and efficient manner.

Alexandria Clinic has approximately 200 employees with two locations: Alexandria and Osakis. The clinic has 39 board-certified providers in many multi-specialty areas.

Alexandria Clinic P.A. - 610 30th Ave West, Alexandria - (320) 763-5123 - (800) 646-4220 Osakis Medical Clinic - 811 3rd Ave E., Hwy 127, Osakis - (320) 859-3038 - (800) 989-3038 www.alexclinic.com Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, a department of Douglas County Hospital, is located on the first floor of the Douglas County Hospital and is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical orthopedic care in the areas of trauma, sports medicine, and elective reconstructive surgery.

111 17th Ave E, Suite 101, Alexandria - (320) 762-1144 - (800) 762-1177 www.HeartlandOrthopedics.com

The providers and staff of Sanford Health Broadway Clinic of Alexandria are here to care for you and your family!

With 35 providers and over 100 support staff members at three locations, their team of experienced caregivers offer excellence in a wide variety of medical specialties including Allergy & Immunology, Endocrinology & Nutrition, Family Medicine, General Surgery, Hospitalist Service, Internal Medicine, OB/GYN & Midwifery Care, Oncology & Hematology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology, Podiatry, Pulmonology, Reproductive Endocrinology, Sleep Medicine, Urology, Vascular Surgery, and Walk-In Services.

Several outreach physicians offer appointments within our facility, which means that many patients needing referrals can be seen right within our building without having to leave the community. Our clinic is conveniently located next to Douglas County Hospital on the corner of 15th Avenue and Broadway Street. New and established patients are always welcomed and appreciated at our facility.

Alexandria - 1527 Broadway St. - (320) 762-0399 - (888) 640-0399 Parkers Prairie - 115 East Soo St., Parkers Prairie - (218) 338-4371 www.sanfordhealth.org

20 2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org

TRANSPORTATION

& infrastructure

Distances from Alexandria: - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN: 130 miles - Fargo, ND: 100 miles - St. Cloud, MN: 66 miles - Duluth, MN: 215 miles - Rochester, MN: 215 miles - Chicago, IL: 540 miles - Omaha, NE: 390 miles - Winnipeg, MB: 330 miles

Alexandria is located in the heart of West Central Minnesota with access to the great plains region of the United States.

Two ten-ton State Highways support the area’s accessibility: State Highway 29 running north/ south and State Highway 27 running east/west.

This system works in combination with I-94 to provide a first class transportation network throughout the region.

AIRPORTS Alexandria Municipal Airport has served the citizens of Alexandria and rural areas for many years. It serves its duty to local business by allowing corporate jets to fly in for locally hosted meetings. The airport is also aimed toward the general aviation public, allowing a 100-year tradition of flying to continue.

TR

& infr

PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES Jefferson Bus Company/Jefferson Express runs daily to Minneapolis/St Paul and the Fargo/Moorhead, Grand Forks, and Winnepeg areas.

Tickets available at: Viking Auto Parts/Carquest 308 3rd Ave East, Alexandria, Contact: (320) 762-0200 or (800) 454-2487 Rainbow Rider is the public transit system serving the West Central Minnesota counties of Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Todd, and Traverse with handicapped accessible buses. All buses offer a child seat and are complete with handicapped accessible lifts to accommodate any specific needs.

Bus service in Douglas County is Monday - Friday from 6:30 am - 6:00 pm.

Contact: (320) 283-5061 or (800) 450-7770

American Road Runner Taxi Service: (320) 460-0510 Taxi Guy: (320) 808-0788 Lakes Area Limo: (320) 766-4848 Medi-Van: (800) 422-0976 Executive Express: (888) 522-9899

personal transportation services

2014 21 21 2014 Lakes Lakes Area Area Fact Fact Book Book -- www.alexmn.org www.alexmn.org 21

re ..

INFRASTRUCTURE

& utilities

WASTEWATER TREATMENT The Alexandria Lakes Area Sanitary District provides wastewater collection and treatment services to an area of approximately 100 sq. miles including the City of Alexandria and to substantial portions of the townships of Alexandria, Carlos, Hudson, Ida, LaGrand, and Lake Mary.

In addition, ALASD provides contract service to the cities of Nelson and Forada, Leaf Valley Township, Carlos State Park, and the two Alexandria area rest areas on I-94. The Commercial sewer use rate is $5.01/1,000 gallons of metered flow and a single family dwelling residential has a flat rate of $23.08 per month - as of January 1, 2014.

ORTATION

& infrastructure

2201 Nevada Street SW, Alexandria - (320) 762-1135 - www.alasdistrict.org

TRASH & RECYCLING The Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management Board owns and operates a Waste-to-Energy Facility located in the City of Alexandria on a 4.3 acre development site. The facility is designed to incinerate 240 tons of processed mixed municipal, commercial, and non-hazardous industrial waste per day. The energy released from incineration is recovered in the form of steam. The facility generates 76,000 pounds of steam per hour which is distributed to customers via buried pipeline. Steam generated by the Waste-to-Energy Facility is sold to three markets within one-quarter mile of the facility - primary steam customers are the 3Mplant, Douglas County Hospital, and Alexandria Technical & Community College. The Waste-to-Energy Facility operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on a year-round basis. Solid waste is accepted from licensed haulers only. Residents and businesses may not bring waste to the facility.

In 2003, a 19,000 sq. ft. Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was constructed to further enhance the processing of Solid Waste. Curb-side recycling from Douglas and Pope County residents and businesses is hauled to the facility daily and sorted in the MRF before any trash is run through the system. Corrugated cardboard, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, boxboard, tin and aluminum cans, and number 1 and 2 plastics are delivered by area haulers to be sorted and baled in preparation for sale in the recycling market.

Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management also provides services to residents of Douglas and Pope Counties that includes confidential document destruction, recycling drop-off, household hazardous waste disposal, product reuse, and educational opportunities related to solid waste and recycling.

2115 Jefferson Street, Alexandria - (320) 763-9340 - (800) 972-6318 www.popedouglasrecycle.com

2222 2014 2014 LakesLakes Area Area Fact Book Fact Book - www.alexmn.org - www.alexmn.org

TRANSPORTATION UTILITIES

& infrastructure

ALP UTILITIES

ALP is the municipal utility serving electricity, water and communications to the city of Alexandria and surrounding areas. ALP has approximately 10,000 electric customers and a system that has been built to meet the growing needs of the community and provides looped, reliable power.

for our community.

ALP is also the city’s water supplier and an expansion to the water treatment plant was completed in 2011 to ensure a safe and adequate supply of water

ALP is an Alexandria-based communications provider and has an expansive fiber optic network. With this high-speed network, businesses can effectively link facilities to remote locations or directly to the internet with the ability to use applications such as VOIP. ALP Utilities- (320) 763-6501 – www.alputilities.com

GARDONVILLE COOPERATIVE TELEPHONE ASSOCIATION Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association is an active cooperative for 70 years. Gardonville provides phone, Wisper high speed Internet, digital television, cellular, DISH, and web hosting services as well as business phone systems and high capacity fiber optic broadband services.

Gardonville has locations in Brandon and in Alexandria.

Their subsidiary, Brandon Communications, provides two-way radio communications, pagers, data cabling, emergency vehicle lighting solutions, AstroStart remote car starters, cellular car kits and antennas and GPS fleet tracking services.

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association - (320) 834-5151 - www.gctel.com

RUNESTONE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION (REA) Runestone Electric Association (REA) is an electric distribution cooperative serving residents of Douglas County, as well as portions of six other West Central Minnesota counties.

Runestone owns and maintains 2,950 miles of line and 18 substations. and over 13,900 accounts are served, representing residential, farm, commercial, industrial, and irrigation accounts.. REA is a Touchstone Energy cooperative, a national alliance of electric cooperatives.

REA - (320) 762-1121 - (800) 473-1722 - www.RunestoneElectric.com

CENTURYLINK

CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice, wireless and managed services to consumers and businesses across the country. In addition, the company provides data, voice and managed services to enterprise, government and wholesale customers through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers. In central Minnesota, CenturyLink serves Alexandria and surrounding areas reaching north to Brainerd and south-east to St. Cloud.

CenturyLink - Residential: (320) 762-3530 - Business: (320) 762-3554 - www.centurylink.com

2014 Lakes Area Fact Book - www.alexmn.org 23 23

Why choose the Douglas County area for your business? Here are just a few reasons........

An ideal location. Not only is the area conveniently located to hundreds of lakes and green space, the area is also easily accessible - being on or near major highways and airports.

Getting you and your products where they need to be.

A resilient economy. The Douglas County area’s financial health is strong.

The area has had steady economic growth for the last several years that includes many new groundbreakings and expansions.

Cooperation. In the Douglas County area, industry works with the public school system to provide the best possible education for our area students.

610 Fillmore Street, Suite 1

Talent. If you’re looking for talented workforce - we’ve got them.

Alexandria, MN 56308

Phone: (320) 763-4545

Fax: (320) 763-4547

We can make it simple. Our Economic Development Commission can make moving your business to the area pretty straightforward.

Tell us what you need and we can help.

Smart Place for Business Additional copies of this publication available upon request from the AAEDC