Ribbon cutting ceremony at new incubator building today

It was a proud moment when Dorothy Klick and Steve Klick, investors in Long Prairie and its new business incubator building, along with officials and dignitaries, cut the ribbon for the grand opening Thursday afternoon. It took from September to May to finish the 15,000-square-foot building, which is designed to hold four new businesses.

Though some folks thought the building would house an egg hatching business, the incubator is for small businesses: it offers space for new businesses that can get established and then perhaps build their own structures within the 64-acre industrial park.

With new streets, curb and sidewalk leading to the building, only a little landscaping is left to be finished. Though the grass isn't manicured, some "green" features were built into the structure:

Energy efficient windows on the south side at a height so the sun can come nearly halfway across the interior (barring any dividers that hinder it).

In-floor heat and auxiliary heat sources for when the tall garage style doors are open.

Well insulated ceiling.

Standing rib roof - stronger to withstand heavier snow loads and resistant to leakage.

Potential for tapping into geothermal heat in the future.

In addition to the green features, the building has fiber optic cable, hard-wired phone, water, sewer, and plywood dividing walls which are more resistant to damage than sheetrock.

Each of the four units has an office or reception area, rest rooms in the office and in the work space, and a mechanical room. One lunchroom is designed as a communal space to be shared by all of the tenants and could double as a conference room.

Though the building would have filled easily three years ago, the dip in the economy means that no tenants have committed to moving in yet. There are prospects.

Local attorney Randy Brown, who built an office complex on Highway 71 in Long Prairie some years ago, is optimistic about finding tenants. "It'll fill up with local people or locals who know someone," he said. Brown's comment speaks to the quality of life in Long Prairie and Todd County. We know we have a good place to live and work. Networking to get the message out that a quality building is available to lease, no leaky roofs, lack of insulation, or difficulty connecting to the internet, may be the best way to find businesses to fill it.

"Two or three years ago, we looked around and there just weren't any buildings available for manufacturing and we had companies asking for space," said Lyle Danielson of the Long Prairie Economic Development Authority. They had scrutinized not only Long Prairie but other areas in the county, too.

With Region Five assistance in writing a grant that brought in $600,000 and Steve Klick's half million (he grew up here), the financing was in place for the building. Many hope it will add good employment opportunities not only for the immediate Long Prairie area but in a 30-50 mile radius as well.

"Don't be too anxious to fill it up with something that isn't going to do something for you," Klick said.

Danielson and Mayor Don Rassmussen did some quick brainstorming Thursday about possible tenants: a welding shop, a call center, printing to augment R.R. Donnelly's services, forklift maintenance and repair, pallet or box manufacturer and, of course, business start-ups that no one might expect.

Todd County needs good jobs to stabilize the local economy and perhaps retain some of its young people.

"I don't necessarily agree with 'build it and they will come,'" said Danielson. "But if you don't build it, they'll have no reason to come."

It's built and ready:

Now there's a reason to come.

• Annandale watches special session for broadband help
• DNR pushes ahead with its groundwater planning
• Broadband providers seek $44 million from state fund