Airpark nets first sale of land in JOBZ zone

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

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. The company has nine outlets, including seven 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.

"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 Mr. Kelly. Construction of the new Goodin Company facility should be completed by the spring of 2005.

Phase I of Airpark has 36 companies that employ 600 people. Phase II will comprise new lots of 1.3 to 5.5 acres. Airpark is adjacent to Duluth International Airport.
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The land being acquired by Goodin Company is one of only two parcels (totaling eight acres) remaining in the 110-acre Phase I portion of the Airpark complex. The addition of Goodin Company brings the number of companies operating in the existing Airpark complex to 36, with more than 600 employees.

Airpark Phase II, a 47-acre expansion project that began in May, will create 18 new lots from 1.3 to 5.5 acres. The entire Phase II portion is designated JOBZ.