From what's in the pipeline, Pawlenty says he expects more than 1,500 additional jobs in the near future, along with more than $208 million in new capital investment.
Total Card Inc., a Sioux Falls, SD, company that handles credit card services for banks, is opening a second call center in Luverne, about 30 miles away. Luverne is in the Southwest Regional Job Zone. Total Card expects to have the facility up and running in about two months and will hire 200 people over the next few years, company president Greg Ticknor says.
Meanwhile, Larson Manufacturing Co., a Brookings, SD, company that makes storm doors and windows, is consolidating two smaller distributions centers in Brookings and in Lake Mills, IA, into a new one in Albert Lea, MN. The firm is already in the Albert Lea building and expects to be operating by mid-August, according to Greg Benning, Larson's director of manufacturing and logistics. The company will employ 30 to 35 people in Albert Lea.
According to DEED commissioner Matt Kramer, Total Card made an offer which Luverne will accept, to buy the former Tri-State Insurance builiding that has been vacant for several years. The company agreed to pay $500,000 for the building.
DEED will offer $500,000 in federal funds to help equip the building's telecommunications needs. The Luverne Economic Development Authority will offer $24,000 grant for job training, and will provide other low-interest loans for furnishings and roof repair. Further, the city will provide relocation assistance for three key management staff who the company will require to live in Luverne, and will provide reduced-rate home lots for about 20 other employees, according to Minnesota state Rep. Doug Magnus.
Total Card will invest more than $1.5 million in the facility initially and will invest more in equipment and furnishings as the workforce grows. When operating at full capacity, the facility can house up to 300 workers.
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