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Few rural communities can claim to have created a globally
recognized brand comparable to the success story of Le Sueur and the Green
Giant company, which was created there 100 years ago. Their commitment
to product quality and technological innovation included a research program
for hybrid corn which at one time exceeded all of the country's agricultural
colleges combined. They led engineering work with equipment
manufacturers to develop creative new technologies for food harvesting,
processing, and packaging. The company had already expanded into other
states and Canada by the 1930's, and into Europe in the 1960's. It
repeatedly developed new markets and products which transformed consumer
preferences. Most Green Giant operations relocated
elsewhere in the wake of a series of M&A deals in recent years, with the
exception of an R&D operation which General Mills maintains in Le Sueur, but
the legacy of Green Giant's growth still reflects the character of this
community. They took a commodity product and used innovation, hard
work, and commitment to quality to build a famous brand through far more
than just the familiar Jolly Green Giant advertising which they developed as
one of the first three clients of Leo Burnett. That relationship and
the brand they created has endured for generations, as did the careers of
many at Green Giant. |
Le Sueur has
recently been seeking designation as one of ten new Job Opportunity Building
Zones (JOBZ) to be created in January 2004 as authorized by the Minnesota
Legislature in 2003. Contact local representatives directly for the
status of this effort, which would provide 12 year tax exemptions to
potential investors in the area which qualify for the program.
It is not surprising that various food processing and
packaging companies lead the industrial base of Le Sueur, including
operations of
Cambria,
Davisco Foods,
Michael Foods, Seneca Foods, and
Technipac.
Another interesting historical note is that Le Sueur was
the home of Dr. W.W. Mayo and his sons, who set up the world famous Mayo
Clinic in Rochester, which also provides healthcare services today
throughout the region.
The Green Giant's shoes will be hard to fill, but the Le
Sueur area should be of interest to companies which recognize the potential
value of such a community. |
link to additional maps showing the
Le Sueur area |
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GUIDE Area Profile : Standard Template
This illustrates the structure and potential content of a GUIDE Area Profile
so that it is easier for corporate executives and area representatives to
visualize the potential benefits of this service, and for participating area
representatives to prepare suitable drafts for publication. This is
obviously not yet a completed GUIDE Area Profile - merely an example of the
structure. Additional background and relevant links will soon become
available here for convenient reference by executives and their advisors.
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| Executive Summary |
Contact information |
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NOT YET COMPLETE Website :
www.lesueurchamber.org
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Phil Lee
Le Sueur
Development, Inc.
Le Sueur Area
Chamber of Commerce
500 North Main
Street
Le Sueur, MN 56058
TEL
(507)665-3435
FAX (507)665-4372
e-mail:
info@lesueurchamber.org
Alternate
contacts :
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List of available sites or facilities :
Refer to the Chamber website for industrial park and
factory listings.
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Examples |
| Relationship Disclosure
There is no financial relationship of GDI Solutions with any
Le Sueur economic development organization or business, nor is any foreseen.
This Area Profile is being prepared on a pro bono basis
because of the prior relationship of two family members with the Green Giant
company in Le Sueur for more than 60 years before it was merged with
Pillsbury in 1979 and later sold to Grand Met, Diageo, and General Mills.
One rose to be President and Vice Chairman, and the other became Senior VP
of Operations.
The relocation of the headquarters after that 1979 deal,
and the closure of the original Green Giant plant in 1995, left Le Sueur
without the global leader which the residents had created through decades of
hard work and innovation. It's hard to fill the Jolly Green Giant's
shoes, but we think this legacy and other successful businesses show that Le
Sueur has much to offer to potential investors, and just needs some help to
reach executives who will appreciate that. |
Relationship leader at GDI Solutions for potential
investors
:
Bruce Donnelly
Please advise regarding any necessary corrections to this
Area Profile.
The relationship leader is responsible for maintaining
sufficiently frequent contact and knowledge at GDI Solutions about the participating area.
The leader keeps published GUIDE Area Profiles timely and consistent, and serves
as an initial point of contact for any investors who may choose not to
contact the local area representatives yet about their interests, such as at
a very exploratory or confidential stage of project planning or information
gathering.
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Service Provider Relationships
Professional
service providers reported to be very familiar with direct investment
considerations in this area from previous work on major investment projects
or among leading investors there:
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Other Resources
Other suggested contacts for investment planning in this
area:
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Article Archives |
GIS Map Makers NOT YET
COMPLETE
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Data Pointers - see also
Consultant Tips
Suggested
sources of timely statistical data for location selection issues
See the
MN Dept of Trade & Economic Development website
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Sponsored articles, PR News and newsletters
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Companies in the Area
NOT YET COMPLETE
The Chamber website includes a directory.
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Past Projects
NOT YET COMPLETE
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Testimonials
NOT YET COMPLETE
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| Investment Incentives Available in the Area |
Local
contacts which may interest some potential investors: |
| GUIDE Network Survey
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GUIDE Area Report -
link here if available |
| Executive feedback
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GUIDE Experience Report -
link here if available |
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