IMMEDIATE RELEASE             May 10, 2004

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.—The Duluth Seaway Port Authority board of commissioners approved today the first sale of land located in the newly designated JOBZ job opportunity building zone at Airpark. JOBZ sites offer exemptions from property, sales and certain other state taxes as incentives to encourage business growth in greater Minnesota.

Goodin Company purchased land at the Port Authority-owned industrial complex adjacent to the Duluth International Airport. The parcel is included in the 140-acres of Port Authority controlled properties designated JOBZ in December 2003.

Goodin Company acquired five acres for the construction of a 33,000 square foot, $1.8 million warehouse, office and showroom building. The Minnesota-based company is a wholesale distributor of plumbing, HVAC, pipe valves, fittings, water well and industrial supply products to contractors, mechanical contractors, governmental agencies, municipalities, manufacturers and water well contractors. It has seven outlets in Minnesota, one in Wisconsin and one in North Dakota. The Duluth branch was previously located in an 18,000 square foot building at Airpark on 2.5 acres of land.

“The additional space will accommodate our expansion needs and allow for future growth, while allowing us to take advantage of JOBZ tax incentives,” said Steve Kelly, vice president of sales, Goodin Company headquarters, Minneapolis.

“The Duluth site presently has 19 employees, and the new space will give us room to grow that number”, said Kelly.

The land being acquired by Goodin Company is one of only two parcels remaining in the 110-acre Phase I portion of the Airpark complex. A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 3 for the Airpark Phase II 47-acre expansion project, which will create 18 new lots ranging in size from 1.3 to 5.5 acres. The entire Phase II portion is designated JOBZ.

“The number of companies operating in the existing Airpark complex totals 36 with about 610 employees,” said Andy McDonough, Port Authority business development director.

Construction of the new Goodin Company facility should be completed by the fall of this year.

CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, Phone 218-727-8525

More Press Releases, 2004