Site work, paving and outdoor lighting for a mixed-use development in Austin, Minnesota. Completed plans call for site work for a road / highway; for paving for a road / highway; for outdoor lighting for a road / highway; sidewalk / parking lot; sidewalk / parking lot; and water / sewer project.

**As of March 1, 2024, project was awarded to Ulland Bros, in the amount of $2,764,762.74.** Austin receives over $1.6 million from DEEDS infrastructure grant to further develop Creekside The City of Austin was one of two cities in Minnesota to receive a portion of more than $3.1 million in infrastructure grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Announced today, Austin will receive $1,650,175 to be used for street and sewer system construction in the Creekside Business Park, which will add 57 acres to the park, as well as provide space for additional businesses to locate in the park. “This gives us a competitive advantage,” said City Administrator Craig Clark, who said that the city was made aware of the grant in mid-December. John Garry, president of the Development Corporation of Austin, added that there are two benefits coming out of this news. “The first thing is advancing us as far as readiness and as far as projects go,” he said. “Secondly, it lowers the cost to the city, lowers the cost to whoever’s developing the land. That’s key.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the project is estimated to create 106 jobs and pull in $180 million in private investment from Nu-Tek and Smyth, both of which have facilities located at the park. “DEED is dedicated to economic development in all cities across Minnesota,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek in Thursday’s release. “Our Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program is one of the many ways we invest in our growing local economies.” The Austin project is also receiving a $2.2 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as a part of the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment. The total project cost is $4,375,350. “We’re certainly hopeful that companies like Nu-Tek will have business opportunities and a co-location of customers,” Clark said, adding that the hope is that Creekside can be turned into a bioscience park. “Just to be able to have lots available, infrastructure so we’re shovel-ready is what we’re hoping for. It opens up 50 acres for development right away and that’s exactly where we are.” The City of Austin has had development of Creekside on the radar for the last several years. Knowing that the infrastructure will now be in place is a welcome step forward. “It’s definitely kind of a boost of confidence,” Garry said. “This is going to serve the needs of a wide variety of businesses that might look at this space.” Garry added that the continued development of Creekside as a bioscience hub is a natural progression because it centers around all of those businesses that Austin is known for, whether that’s Hormel Foods, The Hormel Institute, Mayo Clinic Health Systems or Riverland Community College, which is developing students for roles in that workforce. That continued development could start with Nu-Tek. “It’s kind of an ongoing conversation with Nu-Tek, which is looking for opportunities. That would be the ideal next step, seeing Nu-Tek expand,” Garry said. “We often get leads through the state of Minnesota frequently that would fit the profile of biotech and bioscience.” Clark said that work is expected to begin and stretch through spring and summer of this year. Also part of the grant, Lester Prairie is receiving over $1.4 million for construction of a new industrial park that will create lots over 17 acres. Overall, the funding, awarded from DEED’s Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI), is expected to retain or create 211 full-time jobs and leverage $182.5 million in private investment. The BDPI program awards grants worth up to 50% of eligible capital costs for qualifying public infrastructure projects in communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. These projects include streets, wastewater collection and treatment, drinking water, storm sewers and more. _____________________________________________ Utility Street Construction and Excavation 2105.609 Select Granular Borrow 6525 TON 2106.507 Excavation - Common (P) 80570 CU YD 2211.509 Aggregate Base (CV) Class 5 5450 TON 2360.509 Bituminous Mixture 7200 TON 2503.503 10" PVC Pipe Sewer (SDR-35) 2068 LN FT 2503.503 15"-54" RC Pipe Sewer Des 3006 2888 LN FT 2506.502 Construct Drainage Structure 26 EACH 2531.503 Concrete Curb & Gutter 6380 LN FT 2545.602 Install Light Pole 11 EACH 2573.503 Silt Fence 12475 LN FT 2574.508 Fertilizer 5527 POUND 2572.504 Rolled Erosion Prevention 2330 SQ YD 2572.205 Seed Mixture 1620 POUND 2575.509 Mulch Material 60 TON