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A Missouri developer plans to build the Twin Cities’ largest industrial development in Cottage Grove. Construction could start this fall on the massive project.

The Cottage Grove City Council received an industrial development proposal from NorthPoint Development encompassing a 196acre site in the city’s industrial park, near 100th Street South and Ideal Avenue.

The $200 million dollar- plus investment will include up to seven buildings, ranging from 200,000 to 700,000 square feet in size.

The city’s Planning Commission, Economic Development Authority and city council will be busy working on the project in the coming months.

“We are really excited to be selected by NorthPoint as a hub for their Midwest operations. Not only does this proposal represent a significant investment in our community, it has the potential to bring hundreds of jobs to our City and generate even further growth in our housing and commercial sectors. Plus, NorthPoint is wellknown for its partnership and commitment to the cities it operates in,” Cottage Grove Mayor Myron Bailey said.

NorthPoint will be selecting tenants for the buildings, which will be key to corporations’ manufacturing and warehousing/distribution efforts. The Cottage Grove Business Park was strategically designed to handle this type of development and project, especially as the proposal outlines a Class A facility ensuring the highest quality materials and construction.

“We were impressed with the location of the site and the recent growth within the City of Cottage Grove. NorthPoint is not only committed to the process moving forward, but our leaders also want to express our commitment to the City and its residents moving forward. Our core values not only represent an investment in a community; we have been recognized for our continued commitment to the cities we call home,” NorthPoint’s Brent Miles, Chief Marketing Officer / Founding Partner said.

Depending on the city’s approval process, crews could possibly break ground and begin site grading as ear-

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ly as this fall, allowing for a potential Summer of 2022 opening. The entire project will likely be completed in phases, taking approximately four years from start to finish.

Estimated wages with benefits from jobs at the completed facility total $64.7 million, Bailey said. Construction jobs with benefits would total $34.3 million. Bailey pegged the capital investment in the community at $213 million.

“They are asking for around $9.2 million in tax increment financing to build the infrastructure in the area, for example a new road (105th Street) on the south end of the project, new turn lanes and access from Ideal and also 100th Street, sewer, water, etc.,” explained Bailey.

With the TIF financing tool, tax dollars generated pay for the infrastructure improvements in the district.

“The city used TIF financing in the past for Kohl’s,Target, Grove Plaza, Norris Square Senior Complex, the Legends Senior Complex and various businesses in our business park. It is a great tool to use to pay for infrastructure so that burden to get those businesses into our community are not borne by the local taxpayers,” said Bailey.

“The ‘mystery’ is only that they cannot state who the end users are going to be,” said Bailey. “They are currently in negotiations with many different users. They have given us businesses that they are working with on similar projects around the United States.”

He said the company noted firms like Chewy.com, Home Depot, Dollar General and Target.

“I have zero concern about what would be going in this proposed development,” said Bailey. “This project is a huge win for Cottage Grove,” said. Bailey. “This project will create good jobs, expand our tax base and add more opportunities for more retail and restaurant options.”

An aerial site plan of the industrial property where the development is proposed. Courtesy of City of Cottage Grove.