Cass County Economic Development Corporation

BUSINESS CLIMATE

A growing population with a capable and available workforce, and a boom in construction- and wood-related industries coupled with a wide variety of building and land options, make it the right time to start or expand your business to Cass County.

Population
Cass County is growing — experiencing a population increase of nearly 25% from 1990 to 2000. Though the population is aging, the dominate age group is 45-60 year olds — ideal workforce for most businesses. And, the population is expected to grow even more dramatically — more than 35% over the next 30 years.
(Find more demographic info on the the US Census Bureau fact sheet for Cass County, MN)

Workforce
Aside from the trees and lakes, one of the best assets of Cass County is it’s people. Workers are committed to their employers and will commute great distances for a good job. A recent DEED report highlighted the availability of more than 100,000 workers in the region who are willing to commute from four surrounding counties to earn a hourly rate of more than $10/hour.

Residents are able to get specialized training and education at any one of five area resources all of which are within a one hour drive of most communities in the county.

The unemployment rate has been traditionally high in Cass County due to the seasonality of the county’s top industries — service/retail (tourism). But fortunately, this represents a small percentage of the total labor force.

Industries
Due to the population trend increasing, the fastest growing industry in the county is construction. Along with this boom in construction also comes the growth of many construction- or wood-related industries. This includes companies such as a truss manufacturing plant, a lumber processing firm, a log home construction company, a wood furniture manufacturer and electrical contractors. Together these industries are gaining on the long-time industry leader — tourism — in Cass County, and all are combining to build a strong foundation for the economic future.

Industrial Parks
Prime building and land options exist in every corner of Cass County, waiting for your new or expanding business. Considering the increasing market value of property in the county, the percentage of net property tax businesses pay is much less than most Minnesota counties. And efficient transportation — highway, rail and air — intersect throughout the county helping to link your business to the rest of the region, state or world.

• City of Pine River Industrial Park
• Sylvan Township Industrial Park
• City of Remer Industrial Park
• City of Walker Industrial Park