Minneapolis - Polaris Industries
Inc. yesterday broke ground on an expansion of the company's Product Development
Center near Wyoming, MN. Since opening in 2005, the 126,000
square foot research and development facility has been pivotal in Polaris'
ascent to the top of the global powersports market.
"Opening
the Wyoming
facility seven years ago reinforced Polaris' dedication to leading through
innovation," Scott Wine, Polaris CEO, said. "Continuously improving our
technology and incorporating those advances into our vehicles, is the
cornerstone of our success and expanding our Product Development
Center paves the way for
its future contributions."
Wine,
along with other Polaris executives and political and civic leaders, took
center stage at the ground-breaking ceremony, driving shovels into the ground
in a ceremonial start to the construction project. The event also was attended
by Polaris employees and notable Minnesotan politicians and business leaders,
including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Congressman Chip Cravaack and
Commissioner Mark Phillips of the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development (DEED).
"We are
thankful for our continued partnership with Polaris, and excited that they
chose to expand operations here in Minnesota,"
DEED Commissioner Phillips said. "This
investment is an important boost to the local economy and will help maintain
Polaris' place as an industry leader and innovator."
GREATER
MSP, the region's economic development partnership, coordinated the involvement
of Polaris, Chisago County, the City of Wyoming, and DEED, to compile a package of
financial incentives to help Polaris expand. A combination of job training
support, infrastructure improvements, R & D credits, JOBZ financing
and other incentives provided a unique opportunity for Polaris' project.
The
expansion of the Wyoming
facility will add 144,000 square feet to the existing building, more than
doubling its size. This new space will provide large work bays for off-road
vehicles, flexible conference and display space, a new electrical lab, and a
new EMI room. The extra space will also allow expansion of the café and kitchen
and add a new parking lot for additional employees. The construction effort
will be led by Ryan Companies, US, the same firm that led construction on the
original building in 2005.
"We were
excited when Polaris chose Ryan to construct its Product Development
Center in 2005, and we're
feeling that excitement again as we partner with Polaris to expand the
facility," Pat Ryan, CEO and president, Ryan Companies, US, said. "Ryan is
similar to Polaris in many ways, from our values to our rich history and
Minnesota roots. It's our privilege to partner with another great company on a
project like this. We look forward to getting started."
The
project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2013.