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Fl <br />planning minnesota <br />Vol.30 No.3 IIlialt <br />April, 2011 <br />Minn West Technology Campus <br />Bruce Peterson, AICP <br />Director of Planning and Development Services <br />City of Willmar <br />The Minn West Technology Campus in Willmar occupies the site of <br />the former Willmar Regional Treatment Center that was founded nearly <br />100 years ago. It is a beautiful example of the re -use of a defunct public <br />facility for purposes of private enterprise. To the casual passer-by, not <br />much has visibly changed. But, the purpose and use of the site has been <br />changed dramatically. What used to be a facility for the treatment of <br />chemical dependency and mental illness is now a growing, thriving tech- <br />nology park for bio-science research and development, as well as for <br />manufacturing and support services. <br />As of this writing, the 110-acre campus is home to twenty businesses <br />and over 260 employees. Major campus tenants include Nova Tech Engi- <br />neering and Life -Science Innovations, the two companies <br />that purchased the property from the State of Minnesota in <br />2006. Other tenants include a number of technology and bio- <br />technology ventures, civil and agricultural engineering busi- <br />nesses, and a variety of professional support businesses. The <br />entire site is a JOBZ sub -zone offering real estate and corpo- <br />rate tax breaks to qualifying businesses. Additional services <br />available on -site include business incubation services, con- <br />ference rooms, a robust IT/communications network, cafete- <br />ria, daycare center, and fitness center with gymnasium and <br />pool. <br />To -date, over $12.0 million has been invested in the ac- <br />quisition and renovation of the campus and its buildings. <br />The entire site is on the National Register of Historic Places, <br />which creates challenges for building re -use and new con- <br />struction. Spanish Colonial and Renaissance architecture <br />dominates the former cottages and administration buildings, <br />and has been replicated in the course of constructing new in- <br />dustrial facilities, as well as in all renovations. <br />Inside this issue <br />3 Treasurer's Update <br />4 Smart House Livable <br />Community Brown Bag <br />Lunch <br />5 CPAT <br />7 Transportation <br />Research Conference <br />8 Planner's Day at the <br />Capitol <br />9 Sustainable Community <br />Forum <br />9 Legislative Committee <br />Update <br />11 Attention Consultants <br />12 Employment Opportunities <br />13 Landscape Planning <br />Internships <br />14 Event Calendar <br />- continued on next page - <br />