APPLE VALLEY, MN—Monday morning state and city officials toured Uponor North America, learning how grants by the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) and the Job Creation Fund (JCF) aided Uponor with multiple expansions in Minnesota and resulted in hiring hundreds of employees. The Minnesota House of Representatives recently passed a bill that cuts $12 million from both the MIF and JCF, after cutting $20 million from the programs in 2016.
“Uponor is a valuable partner in our community,” said Representative Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley). “Any program that provides such modest investments to help a growing business like Uponor create more jobs in our community is a no-brainer. After the recent cuts, and the proposed cuts this year, I am concerned that businesses in Minnesota won’t be able to count on programs like these to help them expand and stay in Minnesota. When a business like Uponor is considering major expansions, they consider every option. Minnesota needs to continue its partnership with our business community or they will move and take careers that Minnesota’s families depend on with them.”
Since 2016, Uponor completed two major expansions in Apple Valley totaling $35 million of private investment, creating more than 143,000 square feet of new manufacturing space, and over 350 jobs. The average wage and benefits of the new positions are just over $30 an hour. Uponor received $900,000 from the MIF for the Apple Valley expansion and $840,000 from the JCF. Next month, Uponor will also open its new 237,000 square foot plant in Hutchinson, Minnesota, leveraging a $450,000 MIF grant to make an additional investment of $6.35 million private dollars.
The Minnesota Investment Fund provides grants to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs throughout Minnesota. Grants are awarded through the Department of Employment and Economic Development to local units of government who provide forgivable loans to assist expanding businesses.
Uponor North America manufactures flexible piping and plumbing, heating and cooling systems and is the largest employer in Apple Valley. Uponor has been recognized for best-in-class manufacturing, sustainability, economic development and as a top workplace.
Uponor President Bill Gray (not pictured) explains how the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Job Creation Fund helped Uponor expand in Apple Valley and Hutchinson. Front row from left to right: Representative Erin Maye Quade, Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Shawntera Hardy, Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce President Ed Kearney.
Uponor Vice President of Operations Jon Sillerud explains some of the applications for Uponor’s PEX products in Uponor’s showroom. From left to right: Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce President Ed Kearney, Representative Erin Maye Quade, Jon Sillerud.