2015 Lakes Area Fact Book

Smart Place for Business

Lakes Area Fact Book

Community Economic Development Profile

2015

Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission The mission of the AAEDC is to provide regional leadership in a collaborative effort to facilitate job growth.

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2

Quick Facts

Introduction

8

10

14

16

Workforce & Job Growth

Market Values & Pull Factors

Industry

4

Population & Demographics

Economic Indicators

12

11

Real Estate & Building

Lending Environment

18

Education Opportunities

Transportation

19

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.

Infrastructure

2

6

Strategy 1:

Strategy 2:

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

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

Strategy 3:

Strategy 4:

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.

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

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

y t n u o C s Dougla Profile

TOTAL ESTABLISHMENTS

1,342

Land in square miles | 637.3 Persons per square mile | 56.5

92.6% High School Graduation Rate

110

Miles of Trail

23

Local Parks

5

Arts Centers

Locally controlled law enforcement Place where business & quality of life meet

TOTAL EMPLOYMENT

17,982 TOTAL HOUSING UNITS

20,280 TOTAL WORKFORCE

19,821 $50,905 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Home to an entrepreneurial spirit Great place to vacation & live Source: US Census Quick-facts & MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

PEOPLE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL

10.4% MEDIAN AGE

44.1 3

Population & Demographics 2011

2012

2013

12920

13008

13045

13182

Alexandria township

2687

2703

2730

2770

Belle River township

342

340

345

351

Brandon city

491

492

494

497

Brandon township

702

704

715

725

Carlos city

499

501

501

502

Carlos township

2014

2017

2029

2038

Evansville city

609

612

613

615

Evansville township

237

238

238

238

Forada city

185

Garfield city

351

354

356

357

Holmes City township

795

802

798

813

Hudson township

872

874

880

890

Ida township

1221

1224

1237

1267

Kensington city

288

289

293

298

La Grand township

4178

4186

4185

4179

Lake Mary township

1085

1088

1086

1086

Leaf Valley township

450

452

452

453

Lund township

315

316

316

322

Millerville city

105

105

107

107

Millerville township

329

332

332

330

Miltona city

419

423

431

432

Miltona township

801

803

800

798

Moe township

780

782

786

784

Nelson city

183

186

188

186

Orange township

301

302

309

307

Osakis city (part)

1591

1598

1603

1604

Osakis township

589

590

591

591

Solem township

226

227

224

219

Spruce Hill township

440

442

439

437

Urness township

235

236

238

250

Douglas County

36240

36412

36529

36789

4

186

168

TOP MICROPOLITAN IN MINNESOTA

2014

Alexandria city

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

CITY OF EXCELLENCE Alexandria was awarded the 2015 “City of Excellence” award for its way of creatively involving citizens and city staff in decision making by The League of Minnesota Cities

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6th MICROPOLITAN IN THE NATION

Alexandria was also voted the 6th “Fastest Growing Micropolitan” in the Nation

by Site Selection Magazine

BEST SMALL TOWN

Alexandria was named 22nd in Top 100 “Best Small Towns in America” by Livability.com

BEST PLACE TO START A BUSINESS

Alexandria was ranked 10th in the “Best Places to Start a Business” in Minnesota by consumer finance NerdWallet

ALEXANDRIA HOUSEHOLDS

6,228 DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

15,757

Age of Current Population

2.4

Douglas County

AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE

6,919 People Age 15-29

5,886 People Age 30-44

2.8

AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE

10,297 People Age 45-64

8,532 People

Age 65+

Douglas County Population Projections 2,533 3,645

2,741

3,428

3,918

4,247

4,691

4,888

age 80 +

4,480

4,769

4,851

5,154

5,364

4,826

3,921

age70 to 79

5,304

5,516

4,921

3,940

3,656

4,085

5,554

age 60 to 69

5,006

4,004

3,682

4,057

4,301

4,382

4,015

3,734

4,111

4,318

4,337

4,478

4,374

4,117

4,373

4,390

4,492

4,326

4,247

4,318

4,462

4,614

4,442

4,323

4,335

4,278

4,408

age 50 to 59 age 40 to 49 age 30 to 39 age 20 to 29

8,783

8,661

8,740

8,621

8,631

8,614

8,638

2015

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

2045

age 0 to 19

Sources: mn.gov/admin/demography & US Census Bureau Fact Finder 2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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Douglas County Household Income Distribution $35,000-$49,999 <$10,000

16%

6%

22%

11%

$50,000-$74,999

$15,000-24,999 $10,000-$14,999

6%

$100,000-$149,999

11%

3% $200,000+

10% 3%

$25,000-$34,999

12%

$150,000-$199,999

$75,000-$99,999 Sources: mn.gov/admin/demography, US Census Bureau Fact Finder & MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

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2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

Household Wages & Income $36,912

$50,905

$63,960

The Median Household Income of the City of Alexandria

The Median Household Income of Douglas County

The Mean Household Income of Douglas County

Industry Weekly Wages $994

$1,081

$971

$982

$868

$778 $599 $261

$708

$669 $379

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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Workforce & Job Growth 19, 822 Douglas County

2,735,941 Minnesota

Unemployment rates

5.0%

City of Alexandria

3.3% Douglas County

3.9%

Minnesota

Sources: MN Department of Employment & Economic Development

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2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

INDUSTRY EMPLOYS OVER 17,000 PEOPLE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY 4245

Top Industries Employing Jobs 4076

Trade, Transportation & Utilities

34% Education & Health Services

23% Manufacturing

3081

2220

1096

1027

728

18%

631

238

111

Trade, Transportation & Utilities Education & Health Services Manufacturing Hospitality Professional Services Construction Public Admin Financial Services Information Natural Resources

Top 5 in Demand Occupations to Grow in the Region 2010-2020

Projected Openings

2,000 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 * Growth Rate:Â A measure 0 of how fast an occupation is expected to create jobs over the projection period 2010-2020 (updated biannually). EDR 4: West Central MN

Heavy and Cement Welders, Personal Care Tractor-Trailer Masons and Cutters, Aides Truck Drivers Concrete Solderers, and Finishers Brazers

Social and Human Service Assistants

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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Retail Tourism The strength of the Alexandria areas 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. Alexandria has had one of the highest per capital taxable retail sales amounts of any city in Minnesota for years.

D O U G L A S

C O U N T Y

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Company

Healthcare

Manufacturing

The Alexandria area healthcare 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. In addition, the area also offers a wide variety of dental, chiropractic, natural/ homeopathic, and long-term & senior care options.

Home to over 300 lakes, lush natural beauty, dozens of excellent businesses, attractions and facilities. On top of that, being centrally located along I-94 has made the tourism industry thrive in the Alexandria area. A 3% lodging tax is collected on all lodging properties within Alexandria and resorts on Lake Miltona; with proceeds used for promotional and marketing activity to encourage visitors to come and stay in our area. There was collections growth of 7% in 2013 and another 2% for 2014. | www.ExploreAlex.com

Industry

Douglas County Hospital Alexandria Public Schools Douglas Machine, Inc.

Healthcare Education Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Aluminum Extrusion/Precision Alexandria Industries Manufacturing/Finishing/Plastic Extrusions Knute Nelson Healthcare 3M – Alexandria Abrasives Manufacturing Arrowwood Leisure & Hospitality Central Specialties Road Construction Douglas County Government Brenton Engineering Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Donnelly Customer Manufacturing Company Plastic Molding Manufacturing SunOpta Dairy Product Manufacturing Tastefully Simple Direct Sales Henry’s Foods Grocery Product Wholesales Alexandria Technical & Community College Education Alexandria Pro Fab Manufacturing Ecumen Bethany Community Healthcare Prime West Health Insurance Provider Sanford Health Healthcare Galeon Nursing Home Healthcare Aagard Group Packaging Equipment Manufacturing Manufacturing

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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 for this industry. Equipment designed, engineered, and manufactured by Alexandria area companies is utilized by businesses across the United States and around the world.

Number of Employees 868 831 685 650 525 378 295 285 270 260 225 200 197 187 185 180 180 160 150 130 125 112

L E AM R P G L E O Y E R S

Lending Environment Institution*

2012 Deposits

American National Bank of MN Bell State Bank & Trust BlackRidge BANK Bremer Bank NA First National Bank of Osakis First Security Bank of Evansville Kensington Bank Gate City Bank Glenwood State Bank Hometown Community Bank Neighborhood Community Bank US Bank NA Vikings Savings Bank Wells Fargo Bank NA Total Douglas County Deposits Grant County Ottertail County Pope County Stearns County Todd County

$14,119,000.00 $59,871,000.00 $58,244,000.00 $236,551,000.00 $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 $854,986,000.00 $150,934,000.00 $1,153,207,000.00 $254,446,000.00 $3,650,992,000.00 $290,772,000.00

2013 Deposits

2014 Deposits

$15,049,000.00 $14,206,000.00 $67,407,000.00 $73,301,000.00 $56,817,000.00 $54,512,000.00 $229,579,000.00 $221,466,000.00 $54,119,000.00 $53,567,000.00 $14,634,000.00 $16,523,000.00 $43,709,000.00 $42,633,000.00 $9,223,000.00 $9,390,000.00 $46,522,000.00 $52,420,000.00 $10,853,000.00 $10,756,000.00 $41,288,000.00 $44,166,000.00 $53,180,000.00 $53,102,000.00 $113,053,000.00 $114,563,000.00 $120,190,000.00 $111,720,000.00 $875,623,000.00 $872,325,000.00 $167,797,000.00 $162,179,000.00 $1,180,927,000.00 $1,191,815,000.00 $268,564,000.00 $277,291,000.00 $3,847,187,000.00 $4,215,401,000.00 $289,375,000.00 $293,902,000.00

2013-2014 -6% 8% -4% -4% -1% 11% -3% 2% 11% -1% 7% 0% 1% -8% 0% -3% 1% 3% 9% 2%

Source: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - www.2fdic.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 micro-lending 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.

Sources: SBA Minnesota District Office | 612.370.2324 www.sba.gov/localresources/district/mn/ 2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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The median value for a home owned in Douglas County is $187,300

Real Estate Sources: Greater Alexandria Area Association of Realtors & US Census Fact Finder

Year

Sales

Median Residential Sale Price on Single Family Home

2013

659

$177,720.00

2012

439

$175,205.00

2011

453

$158,217.00

2010

412

$201,823.50

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 2010, with single family home sales increasing 36% in the last four years.

The County also has a very strong rental market with a current vacancy rate of 6.5%

2014 Properties Sold Residential Lakeshore Homes Condo/Townhome Lake Condo/Townhome Farm with Building Commercial 12

Units Sold 390 155 45 24 1 24

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

Average Average Days Sale Price on Market $161,879 155 $328,818 155 $137,764 155 $215,472 155 $459,000 481 $148,8825 20

Building Permits

Issued 2014

Sources: City of Alexandria & Douglas County Land & Resources

Total building permits increased across the board in Douglas County by approximately 21%

Alexandria

Douglas County

1,020

576

Building Permits

Building Permits

Single Family dwelling building permits in Douglas County decreased from 2013 by 15%

Alexandria

Douglas County

24

102

Single Family Permits

Single Family Permits

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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Sources: University of MN, Extension 2012 RTA

There are several ways to measure performance of a region other than dollars of sales. Economists expect cities of larger 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.

13,008

13,560

8,763

13,228

Per Capita Taxable Sales

$24,900

$21,342

$18,907

Gross Sales in Millions

$737.10

$662.40

$407.10

Taxable Sales in Millions

$323.91

Number of Firms

578

Pull Factor

2.58 Alexandria

14

$289.40

486

2.21 Bemidji

$165.68

290

1.96 Detroit Lakes

$16,649

$591.20

$220.23

335

1.72 Fergus Falls

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

Market Values Sources: Douglas County Assessorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office

Douglas County Taxable Market Values Alexandria Township

$338,711,300

$334,865,200

Brandon Towhship

$164,672,400

$160,497,600

Carlos Township

$469,931,200

$473,016,300

Hudson Township

$178,396,500

$181,746,600

LaGrand Township

$565,421,300

$554,469,700

Lake Mary Township

$206,288,400

$198,275,500

City of Alexandria

$1,560,980,600

$1,549,560,500

City of Garfield

$21,979,700

$20,414,400

City of Osakis

$106,230,500

$97,096,800

Douglas County

$5,623,783,400

$5,513,144,800

2014 Totals

2015 Totals

2015 Douglas County City Tax Rates Alexandria

2.42%

21.59%

51.49% 43.44%

51.49% Brandon

6.69% 1.39%

1.39%

117.63% 177.19%

21.59%

77.10% 152.47%

51.49% Miltona

Osakis

1.39%

2.23%

Total 156.30%

6.69% 1.39%

2.30%

Special

81.84%

21.59%

51.49% Garfield

School 127.50%

51.49% Evansville

City

68.19%

51.49% Carlos

County

118.93%

21.59%

77.73% 151.80%

32.77%

51.49% 61.71% 146.68%

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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School Districts of Douglas County

Over 5100 K-12 students are enrolled in the area

Douglas County has 3 accredited schools

2014 School Data BrandonEvansville

Alexandria

Osakis

435

3837

865

Licensed Teachers

35

252

52

Student / Teacher Ratio Free & Reduced Lunch Utilization

12 to 1

15 to 1

17 to 1

40%

32%

35%

School District Student Enrollment

Sources: MN Department of Education Data for Parents & Educators - Information from the 2013-2014

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2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

Higher Education Alexandria Technical & Community College offers best in class applied learning in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. ATCC boasts the highest graduation rate of all 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 exceptional 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 approximately 4,000 students annually.

Alexandria Technical & Community College’s Foundation distributes over $386,000 in student support and scholarships each year. Job placement rate for graduates is over 96%, 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 expectations 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 Direct: 320.762.4510 Toll Free: 888.234.1313 www.alextech.edu/CustomizedTraining 2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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Transportation & Commuting 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.

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.

The average commute time for workers in Douglas County is 18.3 minutes - lower than the Minnesota average of 23 minutes.

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

Local businesses draw approximately 17,573 from throughout the region to work within Douglas County. Douglas County residents make up 63.7% 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.

Employees Commuting into the County

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Distance from Alexandria:

Residents Commuting out of the County

Pope County 832 Todd County 799 Ottertail County 750 Grant County 468 Stearns County 774 Other 2,750

Pope County 704 Todd County 156 Ottertail County 401 Grant County 239 Stearns County 784 Other 2,419

Total 6,373

Total 4,703

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

Sources: OnTheMap Application & LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Stats

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 $24.70 per month - as of January 1, 2015. | 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 3M plant, Douglas County Hospital, and Alexandria Technical & Community College. In 2003, a 19,000 sq. ft. Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was constructed to further enhance the processing of Solid Waste.

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

Utilities The Alexandria area utility providers serve over 40,000 customers with electricity, water and communications services throughout the area. In addition, these companies offer high-speed internet, advanced fibor optic networks, phone, voice, managed services, digital television, cellular and web hosting.

2015 Lakes Area Fact Book | www.alexmn.org

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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 areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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.

324 Broadway, Suite 101 | Alexandria, MN 56308

Phone: 320.763.4545

#GrowingAlexandriaArea Additional copies of this publication available upon request from the AAEDC

Fax: 320.763.5320