Guest Column by Noelle Hagen

Albert Lea Economic Development Agency is the organization dedicated to the economic development of our community. ALEDA manages the Albert Lea Business Development Cente, a business incubator, one of the few in Minnesota that offers the entrepreneur a quality space, free business services and professional links.

The ALBDC was created in 2002 to enhance the economic development focus and assist in developing local startup business and industry. The business development center concept is a return to part of the original Albert Lea plan — using our local resources to expand and create new business and industry in Albert Lea and Freeborn County.

The ALBDC is at 2610 Y.H. Hanson Ave and houses the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency offices and conference room, as well as several local small businesses such as Daisy Blue Naturals, Scott’s Office Products, Grandma’s Gourmets, Crescent Electric Supply Company, Hanson Truck Lines and the most recent tenant, CrossFit InnerDrive. The ALBDC offers quality space, including warehousing and office spaces with access to loading docks, a large shared conference room, reception area and business services.

Business incubators serve start-up and expanding new businesses well as they offer space at an affordable price with other amenities available to help them grow. For entrepreneurs working from homes, leasing or building a larger space can be a big — and expensive — step. A business incubator allows them to take on more space and a more professional location so they can continue to grow before moving on to that next step.

The most recent graduation from the ALBDC occurred in December 2016. Granicrete MN, owned by Jean and Tom Eaton, was a tenant of the building since 2008. Their business saw many successes while a tenant of the ALBDC, such as their numerous TV and magazine appearances and the opening of a showroom in Minneapolis. When asked about her experience in the ALBDC, Jean Eaton said, “Our years at the incubator were great, but now we have a new home with better visibility to customers, which we didn’t have in our other location. We believe in ALEDA and the business incubator and would highly recommend it to any new businesses.” Granicrete MN is now in the former Northpark building on Bridge Avenue.

Two spaces are currently available for lease at the ALBDC. Suite 101 consists of 3,600 square feet including office and warehousing space with loading dock access on the north side of the center. Suite 105 is 3,100 square feet with a garage door on the south side of the building as well as access to the loading dock on the north side.

If you are interested in either suite, please contact Noelle Hagen at noellehagen@growalbertlea.com or 507-373-3930 for information on requirements and to tour the suites available.

Please stay tuned for updates throughout the year on what we are doing to fulfill our mission, “To provide and promote services and resources to retain, expand, create and attract businesses, increase tax base and create quality employment opportunities in Freeborn County.”

Noelle Hagen is the small business and marketing manager at Albert Lea Economic Development Agency.