APPRO Development is proud to announce that the construction of a new warehouse addition has begun at ConAgra Foods in Lakeville, MN. The 27,700 SF addition has expanded their current shipping abilities with the addition of 16 dock doors and a very large staging area for trailers. Construction is anticipated to be complete June 2012.
Reasons To Do Business in Dakota County
Sometimes we fail to acknowledge the value we have in the Twin Cities. Here is some information from a presentation made by Dakota County commissioners this fall.
What Businesses Want:
*Smart productive workers
*Innovation
*Growing Labor Force
*Easy access to markets
*Available, affordable facilities
*Robust, diverse economy
*Reliable, affordable services
*Pro-business leadership
*Great quality of life
Dakota County has a well-educated, productive workforce. 37% have a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 32% State and 28% US. As of June 2011, unemployment was 6.7% with 76.8 % employed and 77.5% two-income families. Higher education is valued and we have access to dozens of world class universities and colleges. We have a history of innovation including Rollerblade, Northern Tools, Goodrich Sensor Systems, Image Trend and more. Dakota County saw a 12% increase in population from 2000 – 2010 and also an increased labor force. Accessibility comes in several forms, including MSP International Airport plus several smaller airports, Mississippi River barge transport, rail lines and 440 miles of well-maintained, well-connected system of highways—interstate, state and county. There is 5.6 million square feet of commercial/retail buildings, 14.4 million square feet of office space and 980 industrial buildings with 40 million square feet. If you need commercial, retail, office or industrial space, we have choices for you!
Dakota County believes in pro-business leadership and has the lowest county tax rate in the state! Plans for an extensive fiber network and Intelligent Community designation by 2012 are underway. There are six engaged Chambers of Commerce advocating for business.
Several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies from a variety of sectors create a diverse and robust economy. Businesses in Dakota County include Blue Cross, Blue Shield, CHS, Thomson Reuters, Flint Hills Resources, Fairview Ridges Hospital, Patterson Dental, and several growing small businesses such as Outdoor GreatRoom, Space Trailers, Bio Thera and Image Trend. There are 9,452 private sector firms with 148,130 employees. Manufacturing and health care sectors account for around 24% of total employment.
Dakota County has a high quality of life as rated by Money Magazine. Median household income is $69,545 with 77% ownership rate and lowest percentage of cost burdened homeowners in the metro area. Public schools average some of the highest ACT test scores in the nation with over 80% participation rate. There are several opportunities to access the arts, leisure and entertainment.
As you can see, Dakota County is a great place to live and work. Ask us if you have any real estate needs to grow your business. Our specialty is real estate in the south metro area of the Twin Cities and our motto is creating property solutions for you, with you.
Gear Up For Winter
It is very important in Minnesota to understand the impacts winter can have on both commercial buildings and residential houses. Such as making sure you have all your under ground sewer, water, power, phone, data, cable TV, are protected from the elements. This will save you time and money if something freezes.
There are many other ways to save on winter costs. Such as installing salt block at down spout so during the heat/cold thaw cycle’s water doesn’t freeze in your downspouts, draining exterior water lines on your commercial building or residential houses.
As a General Contractor for the last 20 plus years APPRO Development has repaired many winter damages due to no winter maintenances. Please call us today at APPRO Development if you need help winterizing this fall or winter.
Groundbreaking Ceremony – New Building Construction in Farmington for Immanuel Dental
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, August 5th for the construction of a new 3,000 sq. ft. office dental building in downtown Farmington for Immanuel Dental. Construction is anticipated to be complete by mid November for Dr. Linden Dungy to be open for business.
APPRO Development is providing the design build general contractor services for the project. Looking to build a new building or expansion? Contact APPRO Development today to get started!
New dental clinic in downtown Farmington!
APPRO Development is proud to announce that the construction of a new dental clinic in Farmington, MN has started. Immanuel Dental will be moving from their current location at 511 Elm Street to their new location at 321 3rd Street upon completion of the project. This new building will be positioned between Gossips Bar and Grill and the Farmington Steakhouse. Construction is anticipated to be complete mid November.
APPRO Development is the design build general contractor!
Commercial Real Estate Financing is Back in the Twin Cities!!
After a three year hiatus – we would like to report recent contacts from both the banking and institutional lending communities looking to place capital in the commercial / industrail markets.
Refinancing, new mortgages, additions and construction financing are all eligible uses for these funds.
Institutional sources look to provide long term (15 to 25 years) permanent fxed rate financing. Current rates for commercial / industrail projects and re-fi are 5.5 to 6.25 % – fixed for the term. Some non – recourse loans are being considered again. Target loan amounts 3 million and up.
Banking sources are looking to provide construction and permanent financing. One bank shared – they look to place over 90 million dollars in commercial real estate in the next few months ! Target loan amounts 1 to 5 million.
Please call us at APPRO / CERRON – and we’d be happy to point you in the right direction for your consideration of any of your loan needs !
REFINANCING / REMODEL REFINANCE / NEW CONSTRUCTION
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Have the Federal tax credits for energy efficient products been extended for 2011?
On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This law extends the tax credits for energy efficiency into 2011, BUT at lower levels. The levels revert back to those in effect in 2006 and 2007, which were 10% of the cost of the improvement, up to $500, with a $200 max for windows, and several other set maximums. Info per the EPA.
Highlights:
10% up to $500 for insulation, roofs, and doors.
Windows capped at $200, but qualification now ENERGY STAR
Furnace and boilers capped at $150, and all furnaces and boilers must meet 95 AFUE
$50 for advanced main air circulating fan
$300 for air conditioners, water heaters, and biomass stoves
$500 lifetime limit. If you got over $500 in these tax credits from 2006-2010, you are not eligible for anything more.
Note these credits are for energy efficient home improvements and typically cannot be claimed by a company or corporation on commercial property. This information does not include available rebates from your utility provider.
Killebrew Miracle Field to open soon !!
It is with GREAT pleasure – that we announce the opening of the new Miracle Field in Lakeville, and the initial season of play for the Miracle League teams! APPRO Development has been directly involved, and has donated the time and effort to design and coordinate the construction of the field. Nate Denny, project manager for APPRO- has facilitated the process to get the field built. Heidi Winsor – was architect / designer for the project. Grand Opening events will be June 26th. www.miraclefieldmn.comlakevillefield.html
Grant Jacobson with Jacobson Engineers and Surveying provided the Civil Engineering ad Surveying for the project.
The City of Lakeville donated the great site for the field. www.ci.lakeville.mn.us/parks
Subcontractors from Lakeville and the entire Metro Area donated time and products to get this project done.
Kudos to Brian Roseen, and the entire Miracle League Organization for getting this project done ! Thank you for allowing APPRO Development, Inc to be involved ! www.startribune.com/local/south/122399479.html
Please consider allowing APPRO and CERRON to “hit a home run” with your firm, by providing Design / Build and Real Estate services the next time you consider expansion or relocation !
South Metro Miracle Field Update
Phase 1 of the South Metro Miracle League is almost complete. Next week the special playing surface is being installed and the dugouts will be finished shortly after that. The field will soon be ready to play Miracle League baseball!!!
The mission of the South Metro Miracle League is to provide opportunities for children ages 3-19 with disabilities, to play Miracle League Baseball, regardless of ability. The new facility will be located between two existing fields at King Park, 18350 Dodd Blvd in Lakeville.
Private and corporate sponsorships are still needed to complete phase 1 and phase 2 of the South Metro Miracle League. For more information please visit www.lakevillebaseball.org and click on the Miracle League.
Safety should not be a goal but a requirement.
Many contractors will be eager to get construction projects waiting for the spring thaw off and running with the warmer temperatures approaching. It is very important to keep safety in the front of everybody’s minds.
Review your safety policies and talk with your employees and subcontractors about establishing a safe plan of action for every task they are to perform. Remind them to take into consideration the tasks that are happening around them. These are too often overlooked and can result in serious accidents. If you are elevated and working on a lift or ladder check for other traffic around you. It is good practice to set up some cones and caution tape around you to make yourself more visible to others. These extra steps only take a few minutes to perform and can be the difference between a good day at work or a trip to the ER.
As a business owner looking to find a good contractor with a proven safety record look no further than APPRO Development. It is our belief that “No Task Is More Important Than A Workers Health And Safety” and “If A Task Cannot Be Done Safely It Will Not Be Done”. It is these beliefs and the policies that we have put into place that keep our employees and subcontractors protected from accident and injury.