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Construction of the new Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services’ headquarters officially kicked off with a groundbreaking on Tuesday.

The site of the new facility is at 3300 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea, just a few miles northwest of the current cooperative location.

The new facility will consist of office, meeting and warehouse space, totaling 97,900 square feet, according to a press release.

The cooperative said constructing the new facility will provide improved security, updated technology and operational efficiencies.

The decision to build a new facility was a long process. The acquisition of Alliant Energy’s service territory in southern Minnesota nearly five years ago almost quadrupled the member base and doubled the employee size, resulting in outgrowing the current building and location.

The release stated the new facility will provide the much-needed space to operate and house equipment properly.

The construction of the facility will allow for local construction job opportunities, as well as bring in additional companies to the area, adding to the direct and indirect economic benefit of the community.

Updates on the project status will be provided in the monthly County Lines Newsletter and on the Freeborn-Mower Cooperative website at www.fmcs.coop and Facebook page.

The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2021.