By MaryHelen Swanson

You couldnít find a frown among the bunch at the groundbreaking for the new Polaris Industries, Inc., Product Development Facility in Wyoming last Thursday, June 17.

With one of Juneís famous blue skies overhead, a gentle wind blowing and a concert of earth-moving equipment whirring in the background, a large group gathered for the special ceremony under a big white hospitality tent in the freshly mowed field.

The ceremony began with a welcome from Jeff Bjorkman, vice president of manufacturing and engineering at Polaris.

In his brief speech he said Polaris promises to be a good neighbor.

Polaris president and chief executive officer Tom Tiller reminded everyone that Minnesota is home to Polaris; it all started by three men in Roseau 50 years ago. The company has grown from that first simple sled to a $1.7 billion global corporation. ìOur roots are here,î he said, adding that the company has a lot of pride in re-investing in the community.

But he said the day was not about where they have been, but where theyíre going.

Tiller said to succeed takes great people, bright ideas, hard work and team work. Thatís what weíve been able to do, he added.

Tiller said he was confident in the future of Polaris and that the Wyoming facility would be key for the next 50 years. After the ceremony, he said Wyoming was the best place possible. The company, he said, had looked all over the country for a new site.

While many people received thanks that morning, Tiller especially thanked Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commission Matt Kramer and Minnesota House speaker Rep. Steve Sviggum.

Without their hard work, Tiller said, the project in Wyoming would not have happened. Tiller said the three men made a big difference in the future of Polaris and the people of the state.

Commissioner Kramer said many groups came together to make this project happen, and that it was a great win for the state as well as for Polaris.

Rep. Sviggum, who made note of the beautiful June day, said the project means that jobs are going to be there for the people. He said a job is more than making a living, itís a way of life. He talked about the 50 years at Roseau and hoped that 50 years from now theyíd be celebrating in Wyoming.

And looking ahead to next spring when the facility should be completed, he said the only thing better than a groundbreaking is a ribbon cutting.

Vern Haag, mayor of the city of Wyoming reminded everyone that to get to this point it took a lot of hard work. Thanks went to former city administrator Dennis Coryell as well as all the city staff. Haag said the project was a victory for southern Chisago County.

Following the gold-shovel moment, Chisago County Economic Development director Chris Eng said he was ìpretty excited,î about the moment.

He noted that it was a long time in coming and that there were some snags along the way, but now it is to be a reality.

ìItís probably one of the best things to happen to Chisago County in a long time,î he said.

As director of the countyís economic development department, Eng has been instrumental in getting two large companies to move into the county - Polaris and Andersen Windows, and continues to work toward bringing in more industry to provide a better tax base and good-paying jobs for the people of Chisago County.

Also on hand for the groundbreaking was Jim Ryan, CEO of Ryan Companies, US, Inc., which is the project designer.

Polaris plans to begin operations in the new building in fall of 2005. A Polaris spokesperson said the company would probably hold a job fair later this year. Engineers and designers will be brought in from other Polaris facilities, but many positions are expected to be hired locally, a requirement of the JOBZ designation as approved by the state, Chisago County and city of Wyoming.

The new Polaris facility will be used for research, development and testing of recreation and utility vehicles.

Polaris is holding a 50th anniversary event July 24 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds

Top of Page

©ECM Post Review

6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com