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It appears the (mostly) vacant Interstate Business Park, in North Branch could be the scene of ribbon cutting celebrations in the not too distant future.  The Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development released news that Interstate Business Park will receive $1,050,860 as one of only three infrastructure grants being awarded in Greater Minnesota.  Two other cities getting funds are Willmar and Sartell.

Interstate Business Park is on 252 acres alongside the northbound lanes of I-35.  The estimates in the grant application are that the million-plus will attract $30 million in private investment to North Branch. 

One  upcoming company relocating to the business park, identified by DEED, is an expansion for Stepp Manufacturing, now based in the town of Sunrise.  

The formerly family-owned company became part of the Reed International family in 2023.  Stepp began developing equipment for roofer uses and is now in all forms of asphalt application and maintenance.   Crack seal trailers, asphalt mix, hot boxes, recycling machines, patching and distributing (spray and gravity) units are some of the equipment that they make.

The company plans to invest $9.5 million in a new North Branch facility once street and utility improvements are accomplished.  Stepp Manufacturing has 71 staff and plans to add 25 to 50 positions.

Also looking to benefit from the city’s business park improvements made possible by the DEED grant,  is LEI, a molded fiber packaging manufacturer currently in Chisago City. 

LEI is building a new facility valued at $5 million and hopes to grow by 25 to 50 workers in five years. LEI has 15 employees now.

The state award is designed to cover 50 percent of eligible capital costs for infratsructure work like streets, stormwater, wastewater collection systems, drinking water and more.  The $5 million total awarded in the three outstate area Business Development Public Infrastructure grants program will leverage $221 million.

The Press reached out to staff to learn about timeframe for utilizing the state funds and if the 50 percent match  is budgeted for, but was unable to connect with city staff.

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