M&A Seminar on Preparing Your Company for Sale Presented by Maslon LLP and Northborne Partners broke ground Wednesday at Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills on a new 157,000-square-foot headquarters facility for Micro Control Co. a manufacturer of test equipment for the electronics industry Project construction finally underway at Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parking mandates[...] Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs Twin Cities housing starts were up across the board in April on the strength of another solid month for single[...] Greco Properties plans a 20-unit memory care facility on a tough-to-develop Edina lot proposes 43-unit mixed-use building in Excelsior with a renovation of the historic Dock Cinema Two months after the framework was first revealed to the public and 18 months after the Kmart at Nicollet Ave[...] Sign up for your daily digest of Minnesota News Efforts to reform Minnesota zoning laws fail again as local opposition blocks a bill limiting parkin[...] will break ground this summer on The Dorian a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo af[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a [...] The Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged despite political pressure from Pre[...] The Trump administration is swiftly remaking housing policy as the U.S Department of Housing and Ur[...] construction job openings dropped by 38,000 in March signaling slowing labor demand amid tarif[...] Trump's trade demands stretch beyond tariffs Performance contracting helps governments and schools cut energy costs is now an official city after a local vote Milwaukee Mitchell Airport will start a $95.2M international terminal project this summer after dela[...] Listen here analysis and commentary on Minnesota business We are the only independent daily newspaper dedicated to business reporting Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions A traffic camera captures the aftermath of a crash on Interstate 35W on Tuesday.Courtesy of Minnesota Department of TransportationGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories We have added it to a list of your favorite stories Highway 10 in Shoreview and Mounds View and County Road I in Arden Hills Tuesday morning A report from the State Patrol says a “merging conflict” led to a chain reaction crash which eventually entangled seven vehicles — including three semi trucks An initial report said eight vehicles were involved The stretch of highway was closed for about four hours following the crash MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all Odds and Ends Again opened in January in a corner of Arden Hills where thrift stores were banned a decade ago Brett Foss had been searching for a location to reopen Odds and Ends Again when he found a spot next to Frattallone’s Hardware in Arden Plaza he got a letter from Arden Hills: The store wasn’t allowed to be there The space Foss leased at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and County Road E was in an area where the city prohibits thrift shops “We never wanted to create an issue,” Foss told the City Council on Monday asking members to work with him to keep his business open It’s rare for cities to have zoning rules that treat thrift stores differently from other retail an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota who is leading the Minnesota Zoning Atlas project He called Arden Hills' thrift shop zoning “distinctively” restrictive among metro cities “Cities are generally trying to move towards a more flexible approach to regulating specific uses,” Roberts said While some City Council members expressed interest in changing the city’s zoning to permit Foss' store Mayor David Grant said Foss had previously been given information on city zoning and should have known better “It’s a situation that was created by the owner of Odds and Ends Again,” Grant said Secondhand store regulations came into fashion in decades past to get people selling used wares off the street and into stores Minneapolis designated where secondhand stores could go in the 1960s While metro cities more often dictate where pawn shops can go citing theft and cash transaction concerns few specifically mention thrift or secondhand-type stores in code Others that do include Mounds View and Robbinsdale but both allow those stores in their broader neighborhood retail districts Arden Hills banned thrift stores in this part of the city a decade ago after Goodwill opened on the northwest corner of the same intersection where Odds and Ends Again is now located The ban followed a legal battle with Goodwill which filed a lawsuit when the city initially denied its application The city and Goodwill settled in 2015 and the store opened in 2016 we felt that thrift stores had ample representation with Goodwill,” Grant said in an interview “We wanted to maintain the storefronts for some more traditional businesses” such as dentists Odds and Ends Again is the resale arm of Foss' businesses that cater to seniors, including helping them move, downsize, plan for the future and stay in their homes. The shop had previously operated in Shoreview, but after moving out of that location, Foss said he had hoped to buy a building to house the resale store and offices. He previously contacted Arden Hills about the zoning for a building he was eyeing for purchase in a different part of the city and learned it was not zoned for retail, he said. He said he also checked about the Arden Plaza location, but didn’t realize his business was not considered regular retail, the category allowed there. Under Arden Hills' zoning code, “thrift store” includes consignment and other operations. City Manager Jessica Jagoe confirmed that Foss had contacted the city and received information about city zoning. She said business owners generally call to check if zoning permits their business. Foss also had not applied for a city business permit as of Monday. In an interview, Foss said he should have gotten around to the business permit earlier but was planning to do it when he got permits for signage. Foss said his landlord has been supportive. Since the zoning issue came to light, he said he’s been flooded with calls from customers and families of seniors he’s worked with who want to support him. On Monday, he said a petition started by a supporter had received about 600 signatures. “We’ve had people come in asking us if it’s OK if they go door to door on our behalf,” he said. At Monday’s meeting, Council Member Kurt Weber, the former planning commission chair who won election to the council in November, requested the city explore allowing thrift stores in the area where Odds and Ends Again and Goodwill are located. “In my view, the council restricted thrift stores to [Zone] B4 without a clear policy rationale beyond personal preference,” he said. He noted the planning commission had recommended thrift stores be allowed there and in other areas they are now banned. Council Member Tena Monson expressed support for Weber’s proposal but said she felt Foss put himself in a difficult position and characterized some of his interactions with city staff as rude. To ask staff whether a thrift store was a permitted use was not a high hurdle, Monson said. But, “I also believe it is really clear that this is a use that the public wants and the public likes,” she said. Grant emphasized that Foss had received information on zoning from the city previously. “I believe that we establish zoning to guide the development of the city and it’s an unfortunate scenario where someone doesn’t follow your zoning and then tries to change things after the fact,” he said in an interview. The council agreed to discuss potential next steps at an April work session. Greta Kaul is the Star Tribune’s built environment reporter. Books Ariel Lawhon and Imani Perry also are coming to Hopkins for the popular Hennepin County Library series Hyperlocal cable TV stations that broadcast everything from high school sports to city government meetings confront a perilous existence The state’s 61st Teacher of the Year is the first from the Eden Prairie school district to win the award Round Lake Road is home to Portal Warehousing’s first location in the Midwest Hempel buys property with co-warehousing tenant a 190-unit apartment complex in Lake Elmo after buying[...] The University of Minnesota plans to sell 60 acres at UMore Park for $8.1M to North Wind Test for a major aero[...] Medical office buildings in the Twin Cities are in high demand as investors seek stable assets amid tariffs BioMADE has bought a Maple Grove site for $16.5M to build a $132M biomanufacturing facility backed by the DoD [...] Twin Cities apartment vacancies fall to 7.03% as rent rises and construction slows Louis Park have new owners after about five years A professor from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University was incorrectly identified as the person who allegedly vandalized a Tesla in Arden Hills The video that surfaced on April 3rd resulted in the false identification of biology professor Kayla Miller A group claiming to be The Kandiyohi County Republicans posted this false claim on Facebook More: Elon Musk is angry at Tim Waltz's jabs. Should he be surprised? University officials debunked the online rumors in a statement a video circulating on social media appeared to show an individual keying a vehicle," the university released in a statement "This video falsely identifies the individual as a professor at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University The person in the video is not affiliated with CSB+SJU." This is Miller's first academic year at CSB+SJU, according to a September news release She teaches introductory biology and microbiology “The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement as reported by USA Today According to Bondi, the Department of Justice has charged “several perpetrators” for attacking Tesla vehicles In March, USA Today reported Las Vegas police said Molotov cocktails and a gun were used to destroy Tesla cars during a “targeted attack” at a Tesla Collision Center Musk, Trump and DOGE have been the subjects of protests across the country, including a nationwide movement on April 5 Those opposing their efforts cite a "gutted" federal workforce real estate asset declines and cuts to diversity initiatives Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St The Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant development has been the campaign’s central issue as candidates debate whether current plans for the site are right for the city The future of one of the largest pieces of undeveloped land in the Twin Cities metro the 427-acre former site of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) is at the heart of the race for control of the City Council in Arden Hills TCAAP’s future has been in question for years as the entities that jointly govern its development — Arden Hills and Ramsey County which spent tens of millions to buy the property in 2013 and clean up contamination — have failed to strike an agreement to start building at the site Voters will choose two council members from four candidates Incumbent Brenda Holden and David Radziej have been skeptical of the plans Richard Priore and Kurt Weber have campaigned on pushing it forward and are backed by outgoing Council Member Thomas Fabel The debate centers on whether or not proposed plans which include more housing units and less commercial space Ramsey County and Arden Hills govern the development of TCAAP through a Joint Development Authority (JDA) a largely uneasy partnership that Ramsey County unsuccessfully sued to end in 2019 calling it “deadlocked over fundamental aspects of the plans for the project including financing Relations between the county and city have warmed since a new council majority was elected in 2022. This year, the Arden Hills City Council approved zoning changes for up to 1,960 housing units adding residential in areas previous plans designated commercial The developer and county are in negotiations for the parcel’s sale Here’s where the candidates stand on TCAAP and other priorities Holden is a long-serving member of the Arden Hills City Council Holden and Mayor David Grant are the two current members skeptical of the council majority’s direction on TCAAP issues “They want to develop at any cost,” she said in an interview Holden said at a League of Women Voters forum in September that she supports development at TCAAP but that she did not feel zoning changes allowing up to 1,960 units were vetted traffic and whether there will be public transportation to support the level of affordable housing at the site Holden said her other priorities include public safety She said she is proud of her work on the city’s infrastructure and helping to get the city grants to pay for improvements “I don’t care how nice your parks are or how wonderful your trails are if you come home to a basement full of sewage And that has always been my big thing,” she said in an interview Priore is an Army veteran and finance and economics instructor who runs a management consultant firm Priore declined an interview for this story he said he believes in continuing the progress the council majority has made with the county on TCAAP and supports the density limit of 1,960 units He said he would prioritize developing the property without adverse effects to the city Priore criticized his opponents’ stance on TCAAP fresh perspective and strategic vision,” he said arguing others want to defer and delay the city’s long-term needs Priore listed his other priorities for the city as public safety and comprehensive planning for more and better trails The most recent campaign finance reports do not cover the fall and show little raising or spending for any candidate. Priore’s report indicates he received $600 from Fabel’s campaign fund Radziej was appointed to the Arden Hills City Council in 2022, and has been involved with the city for more than a decade through work on its Economic Development and Finance councils, as well as TCAAP planning groups. He lost a re-election bid in 2022 Radziej raised concerns that the new density limit for TCAAP is out of character for Arden Hills and said he fears adding housing units at the expense of commercial development will harm the city’s tax base I’d like to hold harmless the current taxpayers,” he said in an interview Radziej said his other priorities include park design for a wider age and ability range and reviewing rental housing regulations to ensure housing — especially student rentals — are kept up He said he would like to see the city continue to plan ahead to cover its infrastructure expenses “We’re always looking to stretch as much of the tax dollar as we can,” he said Weber works for Hennepin County and chairs Arden Hills’ planning commission He declined an interview request for this story but said in the candidate forum that as a planning commissioner he supported the zoning changes to allow 1,960 units at TCAAP and said data show the shift to remove commercial development and add residential properties is likely to reduce traffic at the site Weber said he believes it is possible to strike an agreement to develop the site that does not hurt the budget: “In a several-hundred-million-dollar project I find it hard to believe there is no compromise where the city doesn’t end up at least budget-neutral if not in the positive as far as tax base gains.” Weber said his other priorities are a comprehensive parks and trails plan to help the city qualify for funding and encouraging businesses to move into high-vacancy areas Weber’s most recent campaign finance report shows a $600 donation from Fabel’s campaign fund Minneapolis Minneapolis’ 2025 city elections will include Mayor Jacob Frey defending his post and all 13 city council seats on the ballot Former Vice President Kamala Harris used a high-profile speech to sharply criticize President Donald Trump amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor The former clerk who somehow failed to count nearly 200 ballots in Wisconsin's capital city didn't break any laws but did violate multiple policies and her contractual duty to supervise elections and maintain professional standards the results of a city-led investigation released Tuesday show The total future development value of the 427-acre Rice Creek Commons is estimated at $1 billion and will be phased out After a decade long dispute between stakeholders and millions spent in cleanup the old Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant is set to once again be home to bustling businesses the Joint Development Authority Board of Ramsey County and Arden Hills unanimously approved a final development agreement for part of the property the board was scheduled to meet to discuss plans for another portion of Rice Creek Commons a 427-acre parcel of the vast former plant site “I’m very excited to see something finally happening there,” said Tom Lemke who lives near the northern edge of the former ammunition plant site “We’ve been residents here for 40 years and watched and waited anxiously for something to happen.” Located alongside Interstate 35W in Arden Hills, Rice Creek Commons is planned to feature a mix of residential and commercial spaces surrounding a town center The plans for a 10-acre part of what’s called “Outlot A” include commercial facilities with the potential to feature a corporate headquarters manufacturing site and other commercial uses as part of the full Outlot A Last week, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved an amended sale agreement with Minneapolis development firm Ryan Companies for the $9.2 million purchase of the 40-acre Outlot A parcel received approval to proceed with the construction of a 157,000-square-foot advanced technology facility within Outlot A The facility is planned to feature sustainable designs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65% “We’re doing everything we can to keep progressing forward in the project,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Tara Jebens-Singh at the Monday meeting “We are all very motivated to stay actively involved in this process.” Additional plans for Outlot A include a build-to-suit property customized for multiple tenants that can accommodate 400,000 to 600,000 total square feet as well as the incorporation of green space and outdoor gathering spaces Groundbreaking on the first phase of the development is anticipated by late April the advisory committee for the Joint Development Authority Board was supposed to meet with Minneapolis-based real estate developer Alatus to discuss a preliminary development agreement for “Outlot C,” also referred to as the “California Parcel.” The meeting was not open to the public In 1941, the federal government established what was then called the Twin Cities Ordnance Plant to produce small arms ammunition during World War II the plant was renamed the Twin Cities Arsenal in 1946 and later the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in 1963 It resumed operations during the Korean and Vietnam Wars before ceasing ammunition production in 1976 By 1983, the Environmental Protection Agency determined toxic chemicals had contaminated the fresh water supply and declared the Twin Cities Ammunition Plant a federal Superfund site. The Army became legally responsible for cleanup of the site under EPA supervision a few years later. In 2012, the Arden Hills City Council approved a joint powers agreement with Ramsey County to guide the site’s redevelopment. A year later, Ramsey County purchased Rice Creek Commons from the federal government for a sale price of $28 million, with the cleanup, which was completed in 2015, accounting for over 80% of the cost. The county and the city over the years have had a host of disagreements over key development aspects of the project, with Arden Hills voting against a master development agreement summary in 2018 and the county later filing a lawsuit to dissolve the joint powers agreement. Amid the legal debate, progress on the Rice Creek Commons development stalled. It wasn’t until renewed negotiations in 2023 and early 2024, that Ramsey County and Arden Hills have been able to reach an agreement. ​​Community response to the Rice Creek Commons redevelopment has been a mix of anticipation and continued concern over local impacts — especially related to infrastructure and traffic. During Monday’s meeting, Lemke, of Shoreview, voiced both excitement and worry about how increased truck traffic associated with the development could affect residential access and road conditions. “My biggest concern is that the road isn’t fully developed,” he said. The board acknowledged that the logistics plans are still in development. Residents will be informed once those details are finalized, the group said. Caroline Weier is an intern for the Minnesota Star Tribune. Twin Cities Suburbs Conservative board members had questioned the content of the books and curricula, prompting criticism from the teachers union. Kaveh Akbar, Ariel Lawhon and Imani Perry also are coming to Hopkins for the popular Hennepin County Library series. Hyperlocal cable TV stations that broadcast everything from high school sports to city government meetings confront a perilous existence. Estonian swimmer Merle Liivand kicks through the waters of Lake Johanna in Arden Hills 22.Ben Hovland | MPR NewsPlayListenCompetitive swimmers break the ice to create inaugural swim meet at Lake JohannaGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories organizers of an ice swimming competition pulled together an event that brought together a hundred swimmers from all over the world They competed on Saturday in an inaugural ice swimming race on Lake Johanna in Arden Hills Organizers of the MN Ice Swim said this is one of two competitive ice swims in the U.S. The event attracted Olympic swimmers and renowned competitive ice swimmers to Arden Hills 50-meter and 100-meter swims through a 2-lane Moe Sullivan (back center) and Tiffany Pfromm (front right) cheer on Amber Pfromm (not pictured) during a heat at the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR NewsLast week a group of contractors and volunteers spent 8 hours carving out a 12-foot by 82-foot hole in the middle of the lake for the competition “We probably took about a couple hundred thousand pounds of ice out of the water already,” said Todd Thorsen The event’s organizer Nick Tamble and others pulled the ice swim together in just 14 weeks high-fives Minneapolis swimmer Reed Steele after their heat during the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR News“This was miraculous on how this came together this quickly because normally stuff like this is a year of planning,” Tamble said It’s part of an effort to get ice swimming into the 2030 Winter Olympics Tamble said data compiled at this year’s event will be shared with the International Olympic Committee to make a case for ice swimming to be included Spectators watch as olympic gold medalist Cody Miller (left lane) swims against Ivan Pancic during the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR NewsCody Miller It was the Olympic medalist’s first time competing in an ice swimming event I was like wow that seems like it’s gonna be a wildly different challenge I’d never raced in cold water before,” he said ‘Hey we want an Olympian I said I’m your guy — let’s go!’” Ivan Pancic steps into a warming tent after his 50-meter swim during the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR NewsMiller who won gold on the 2016 men’s relay team with Michael Phelps said ice swimming becoming an Olympic sport could pull him out of retirement “If they make it an Olympic event I’ll be there for the trial JB Lanza is a competitive ice swimmer and on a mission to complete what’s called the Ice 7s which is completing a mile long ice swim on every continent She’s hoping to get to South America and New Zealand this year Volunteers record the lap times of swimmers during the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR News“I think we’ve seen a lot of other Olympic sports that have come and gone like breakdancing that may have been very short lived but I think if they make this an Olympic sport it would definitely be something that is very long-term,” Lanza said One of the reasons Lake Johanna became the location of the ice swim was due to a large community of ice dippers Nick Tamble first carved a hole in the ice in 2020 for people to dip in the lake with hundreds of people flocking to dip in the ice each week of the winter But swimming 25-100 meters in the frigid waters Spectators cheer for swimmers during the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR News“So the difference between those things even though you're only going 25 will go numb.” find the process of submerging in cold water therapeutic Macy Gearhart first started coming to the ice hole at Lake Johanna with her mom last year and now comes twice a week She’s able to stay in the water for 20 minutes Liz Niemer of Minneapolis pushes off during her heat in the 25-meter competitive category at the inaugural MN Ice Swim.Ben Hovland | MPR News“It’s very painful when you first get in and after a few minutes you go totally numb,” Gearhart said “I think it’s good practice for being comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Whether or not the sport eventually makes it into the Olympics Tamble says ice swimming has already helped many struggling with mental health there’s just something about it that makes you come into the present moment you're not in the future,” Tamble said Organizers hope to bring the competition back next year Other notable elections in the east metro include several seats on the Ramsey County Board and a citywide trash collection question in Mounds View A very close City Council election in Arden Hills is expected to shape future development at the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land in the Twin Cities County officials said the race appears to be close enough to qualify for a publicly funded recount Such recounts are conducted if requested by the losing candidate after the election canvassing board meets said interim Arden Hills City Administrator Jessica Jagoe have questioned whether plans under consideration for TCAAP are right for the city Weber and candidate Richard Priore have promoted continuing negotiations with the county and developer based on current plans Development at TCAAP has been stymied for years as Arden Hills and Ramsey County jointly responsible for developing the site failed to come to an agreement to allow construction Much of the debate revolved around whether the plans should include more housing Since 2023 the relationship between the council and county has thawed and the two are working on TCAAP together but this election could shift the 3-2 majority Voters in Mounds View decided not to move to a city-organized trash collection system Mounds View residents choose and contract with their own hauler City officials have said an organized system would be better for the environment and reduce wear on roads Haulers cast doubt on the city’s arguments and opposed changes to the system The Ramsey County Board will have two new members in January when newly elected commissioners are sworn in Two candidates ran for the District 7 seat representing Maplewood who works as the director of the Department of Indian Work at Interfaith Action of Greater St an academic coordinator at TRIO Upward Bound On Wednesday, preliminary election results showed Miller logging 49.58% of the votes and Yang receiving 49.49%. County officials said that race appears to be close enough to qualify for a publicly funded recount. If requested, that recount would likely occur the week after the Nov. 13 county canvassing board meeting. The winner will succeed Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, who announced her retirement after nearly three decades on the board. Two other candidates won after running unopposed: Incumbent Mary Jo McGuire will continue to hold the District 2 seat representing Lauderdale, Little Canada, New Brighton, Roseville and St. Anthony, and newcomer Tara Jebens-Singh will represent District 1, which covers many of Ramsey County’s northern suburbs. Medical Design and Outsourcing February 3, 2025 By MDO Staff The majority of the newly expanded space in Arden Hills Minnesota will be dedicated to manufacturing capabilities enhancing Intricon’s ability to scale production and meet growing global demand for its precision micromedical device services St. Paul, Minnesota – Intricon Corp. developer and manufacturer of some of the world’s smallest smartest medical devices powered by microelectronics has announced a significant expansion at its St Minnesota suburban Arden Hills headquarters The company has signed an 11-year lease at its Grey Fox Road location increasing the space from 47,000 square feet to 82,500 square feet located in the heart of Minnesota’s Medical Alley region The expansion integrates operations from two facilities in Arden Hills for streamlined operations and greater collaboration across internal teams and with customers The majority of the newly expanded space will be dedicated to manufacturing capabilities The company focuses on developing and manufacturing micromedical devices through packaging providing unique microelectronic expertise in electromagnetic and optical navigational sensors Its finished products for customers are used in surgical navigation The location has been Intricon’s headquarters since 1977 where its new 150,000-square-foot facility is under construction Intricon’s global footprint supports its mission to deliver cutting-edge medical devices and components to clients around the world and manage global supply chains for its customers The addition of a state-of-the-art Class 8 cleanroom for assembling electronic components on circuit boards is one of the key upgrades of the expansion bringing the total number of Intricon’s Class 8 rooms to six Other features of the expanded facility include a larger engineering lab a redesigned office area to improve workflow efficiency and collaboration and an expanded indoor-outdoor lunchroom to accommodate a growing workforce It will house new advanced automation technology including new molding presses and additive manufacturing equipment which will increase production capacity and further enhance Intricon’s ability to deliver high-quality high-volume medical devices to a global market Visit Intricon at Booth No. 1855 at MD&M West Intricon has improved and extended people’s lives by developing and manufacturing micromedical devices through packaging Intricon partners with medical device companies providing unique microelectronic expertise — including in electromagnetic and optical navigational sensors smartest new and next-generation devices to life The opinions expressed in this news release are the author’s only and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Design & Outsourcing or its employees Subscribe to Medical Design & Outsourcing share and interact with the leading medical design engineering magazine today DeviceTalks is a conversation among medical technology leaders webinars and one-on-one exchanges of ideas & insights MassDevice is the leading medical device news business journal telling the stories of the devices that save lives Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media LLC. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative We're working on a visual shortcode editor until then please follow these instructions Email us to support@plugin.builders for any problems ice cream and gourmet popcorn shop will close its doors this weekend after a decade in business The owners of POP Culture Frozen Yogurt in Arden Hills have announced the shop's final day will be Sunday The non-franchise business is owned by longtime Arden Hills residents Gary and Julie Gronquist POP Culture Frozen Yogurt & Gourmet Popcorn "It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the closure of POP Culture due to rising costs," they wrote in an announcement this week "We have appreciated your support over the past 10 years and want to thank all of you." POP Culture is known for its wide selection of treats with over 70 toppings to pair with its ice cream and frozen yogurt selection The business also sells over 20 flavors of gourmet popcorn we have had so much joy in employing local youth and seeing all of you come in and enjoy our business with your friends and family," the closing announcement shares "We would love for you to come in this last week for one last frozen yogurt saying he'd killed the mother of his child which features a swimming beach and splash pad The company bearing Boston’s name has approximately 10,000 employees in Minnesota In a wide manufacturing room with white walls and low ceilings Boston Scientific employees combine components into finished consoles holding the brains of its medical devices with automated tests collecting thousands of data points for quality control The consoles that power the company’s blockbuster AFib treatment Farapulse start in this room as a metal frame Workers clad in gray smocks resisting static electricity precisely add hundreds of parts like wire harnesses circuit boards and plastic exterior pieces with Farapulse logos five times more complicated than your best high-end stereo,” said Joe Fitzgerald who runs the company’s $8 billion cardiology arm one of the world’s largest medical device makers makes none of its products in its namesake city including its industry-leading Watchman and Farapulse systems All eight of the company’s divisions do business in the North Star State and about a fifth of its products are made here Boston Scientific has approximately doubled its Minnesota workforce in the last 15 years to about 10,000 It has become the largest employer in both Maple Grove and Arden Hills The Maple Grove City Council recently advanced a planned expansion with the first phase including a 52,000-square-foot facility costing $139.4 million The company expects to create 440 new full-time equivalent jobs by 2030 with an anticipated average hourly wage of $47.50 “It should be called Minnesota Scientific because of the growth and the strength and the capabilities that we have there,” chief executive Mike Mahoney said in a recent interview Two recent blockbuster devices — the stroke-fighting Watchman implant and the Farapulse ablation console — are products of Minnesota talent and at the core of Boston Scientific’s turnaround strategy Understanding Boston Scientific’s large and growing presence in Minnesota starts with cardiology Minnesota has a long history of heart-related medical device development and Boston Scientific houses its cardiology division at locations all within a short commute from where Earl Bakken invented his battery-powered pacemaker in the late 1950s and founded Medtronic a system that is used to ablate heart tissue and cut the risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke has grown into one of Boston Scientific’s “Minnesota capabilities,” Mahoney said It started as an independent company and now receives boosts from internal development here The same’s true of the company’s Watchman device a heart plug to prevent stroke-causing blood clots “It’s the most important product we have,” Mahoney said of Farapulse In the CEO’s more than 12 years with the company he has steered the emphasis away from lower-growth products like stents to high-growth technologies used to treat complex issues he has doubled-down on the company’s investments in strategic venture capital moves mergers and acquisition and internal research and development Boston Scientific planted its first seeds in Minnesota in 1994 with its $850 million acquisition of SciMed which made catheters used primarily to reopen clogged heart arteries SciMed had about 1,400 employees at the time and was headquartered just off Weaver Road at 1 SciMed Place — the address of Boston Scientific’s Maple Grove operation today Longtime Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson said Boston Scientific’s entering the community felt exciting for the most part following Boston Scientific’s next Minnesota deal a disastrous $27 billion acquisition of Arden Hills pacemaker company Guidant in 2006 Boston spent years addressing Guidant’s legal problems stemming from recalls while resolving billions in debt Quarterly losses ranged from $250 million to $1 billion following the deal and the local workforce fell from roughly 6,500 to about 5,000 between 2007 and 2010 Steffenson wondered at the time if the troubles pointed to a potential acquisition that would affect the company’s Maple Grove operations “Are they going to continue to really operate here or not?” he remembered wondering stepped into Boston’s CEO role in 2012 with a mandate to boost the company’s revenue The company eventually went from two to four buildings in Maple Grove and the employee population there grew from about 1,000 to 4,000 its real estate ballooned as it expanded a training center and research facilities and built a facility for making pacemaker batteries Executive Vice President for Global Operations Brad Sorenson said about 20% of the company’s operations are now located in Minnesota with a focus on the critical and complicated parts of products such as the console for the Farapulse system Growing in Minnesota hasn’t been a difficult decision as it’s one of the largest medtech ecosystems in the world and we’re winning in the market through our innovation — through our people,” he said Mahoney boasted about Minnesota’s engineering talent which largely flows from big Midwest universities like the University of Minnesota “When companies are doing well and you have a really good culture — which we do — people want to be a part of it,” Mahoney said Investing in Farapulse basically started as an idea on a napkin “I don’t think it was presented at a bar,” he said Investing in small medtech companies is risky which was in part a product of Boston Scientific’s venture capital arm “We’re willing to place bets — maybe more so than most — because that’s where oftentimes you see more disruptive innovation in the startups,” Mahoney said Boston Scientific started investing in Farapulse in 2014 it had amassed a 27% stake in the company and pulled the trigger It paid $295 million for the remaining stake to acquire the company with another $92 million awarded upon achievements and additional revenue-based payments for three years It’s now a leader in the multibillion dollar race to treat AFib with pulsed field ablation The system treated more than 200,000 patients over the course of a year It was the company’s fiscal cornerstone in a year when it reported adjusted profits of $3.7 billion The product sits in Boston Scientific’s cardiology division Mahoney said he could’ve expanded the division in California or Boston he has kept franchises like Watchman here because of the “engineering and capabilities and work ethic of the teams in Minnesota.” Fitzgerald said cardiology makes up about 55% of the company More than roughly 75% of the division is Minnesota Watchman has always been in the state. Its small parachute-shaped device prevents blood clots from forming in the heart’s left atrial appendage. The company acquired its maker, Plymouth-based Atritech, in 2011 for $100 million up front. After four additional years of development and testing, and three votes from Food and Drug Administration advisory panels The product is a testament to the Minnesota-made engineering It’s difficult to manufacture and required lots of clinical work Today it drives more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue The company’s workforce grew by about 82% in the U.S The chief executive keeps his office at the world headquarters in Marlborough but he swings by the Twin Cities about once per month: Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Sarah Ritter contributed to this report Victor Stefanescu covers medical technology startups and large companies such as Medtronic for the business section. He reports on new inventions, patients’ experiences with medical devices and the businesses behind med-tech in Minnesota. Health Care The payment is part of a proposed settlement to litigation dating back more than a decade about alleged economic harms suffered by health care providers Renowned investor Warren Buffett surprised a crowd of thousands Saturday with his plans to retire at the end of the year The company is behind Twin Cities-based businesses like DQ and HomeServices of America A judge is expected to approve an arrangement for Division I colleges to give 22% of athletic department revenue to student-athletes 11th is a significant day for one Arden Hills man.  serving in the Minnesota Air National Guard on Sept Todd was part of a crew of eight flying home to Minnesota when they witnessed the attacks of Flight 77 on the Pentagon and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania big black mushroom cloud over the Pentagon,” Todd said “I’ve never seen flames that big It took me a long time to come back from that My perspective has changed on life.”      The eight Minnesotans are believed to be the only eyewitnesses to hijacked crashes in Washington Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555 Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Aurora Solsrud was a radiant soul whose smile lit up the room when she was born on March 19 Aurora possessed a spirit as bright and vibrant as the northern lights for which she was named she brought joy and generosity to everyone around her and devoted her days to being the best she could be Aurora embraced life with infectious enthusiasm and cherished all of the memories she made in Disney Aurora is survived by her loving and devoted parents Dale and Marlys Rahn and Ardath Solsrud; aunts and uncles and Sofia; and friends too numerous to count She is preceded in death by her grandfather A celebration of Aurora's life will be at 6:00pm Arden Hills; visitation will begin at 4:00pm the family has requested donations in Aurora's name to Children's Minnesota Hospital or the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf North Heights Lutheran Church - Arden Hills Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors one of this year’s 4 Under 40 Alumni Award recipients exemplifies how the integration of personal values and commitment to faith can drive business success As the owner and operator of Dunn Brothers Coffee in Arden Hills she demonstrates impactful community leadership and a commitment to serving those around her living out her faith within the realm of work is a natural extension of her existence “Faith and family background are entirely the reason why I grew up with a clear understanding of Christian principles and their application in daily life and work,” says Johnson Growing up in a Christian home along with learning from her family’s business ventures have been instrumental in shaping her approach to her own business and leadership It guided her to open a Dunn Brothers Coffee franchise in Arden Hills and create a coffee shop environment that's centered on community and connection “My upbringing was filled with practical lessons about hard work which I learned from my family’s experiences My grandfather was a businessman who started and failed at several ventures My dad partnered with him on his successes for a long time,” she says “This family history gave me the knowledge and witness of business and inspired me to create something meaningful.” or collaborating with facilities management those co-curricular experiences showed me that I thrived in those environments This led me to pursue a career in student development.” Her experiences as a Bethel student were pivotal in defining her approach to business and community involvement “I realized that my true purpose was—and still is—to create a space where people can come to know Jesus Christ.” Johnson went on to pursue a master’s in education at another university Johnson was working with college students in Texas at the time What’s the bigger purpose?’ I realized that my true purpose was—and still is—to create a space where people can come to know Jesus Christ guiding how we approach hiring and training at Dunn Brothers,” Johnson says visited coffee farms and coffee processing plants Johnson academic studies have greatly influenced her approach to management and leadership specifically in student development and higher education with a master’s degree in that field focusing on the learning and growth of young adults I apply that same expertise to managing our company every day I often find that I use my educational background more in my current role than I did when I was directly involved in education It’s a true joy to see our team members start with us as young teens and grow into adults and it’s a privilege to watch them come in as freshmen and graduate years later with clear goals and a sense of identity Being part of their journey and witnessing their growth is truly incredible,” she says “My experiences at Bethel shaped my understanding of how to build and sustain meaningful relationships." Her involvement in Bethel's community has continued long after her time as a student “My experiences at Bethel shaped my understanding of how to build and sustain meaningful relationships,” Johnson says This understanding has been crucial in fostering a positive work environment and maintaining strong connections within the Bethel community A notable example of this is her partnership with Bethel’s BUILD program. “The coffee shop and BUILD are quite close in age It would be misleading to say I intentionally built a relationship with BUILD; it was more of an unintentional connection guided by the Holy Spirit Shortly after we opened in the summer of 2018 a community member involved in the BUILD program asked if there was room for her to work here she transitioned into an internship with us,” says Johnson The importance of this relationship is beneficial to the business whether they're preparing food in the kitchen or ensuring the customer area remains clean and welcoming by wiping tables and their contributions are truly a gift,” says Johnson Hosting an after hours event at the coffee shop At the heart of Johnson business philosophy is the commitment to Christian values which largely influence its operations and culture it always comes back to our faith and how we can serve others through our work,” she says which we translate into honesty with our customers and flexibility with our employees.” This commitment to respect extends to recognizing the inherent dignity in every person a reflection of the belief that everyone is created in the image of God  “Grace is a core part of my faith and it deeply influences how I approach hiring,” says Johnson I make it clear to new hires that our goal here is to create a space where we show grace to everyone I believe we’ve received the greatest grace and hospitality through the work of Jesus and that’s what we aim to reflect in our work,” she says This philosophy fosters a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and encouraged to contribute positively to the company’s mission “We believe that when employees come to us with ideas we help them improve and believe in the dignity imprinted in them in God’s creation,” she says Grace alone is not the only value that shapes Johnson business ethos; flexibility plays a pivotal role as well which reflects a gracious way of existing with people,” she explains “It’s about finding ways to accommodate different needs and perspectives while staying true to our core values,” she says Delivering food and beverages to teachers at Valentine Hills Elementary Integrating Christian values into a business setting has presented its share of challenges but Johnson has navigated these with steadfast commitment “Being bold about your faith is not always easy regardless of whether they share our beliefs since this has been our way of operating from day one it’s been accepted in this community,” she says.  Johnson places a strong emphasis on the importance of customers and interacting with them in a meaningful and honest way “We strive to be honest with our customers helping them understand how they can make changes to their orders to get what they want,” she says “By focusing on what’s true and respecting our customers we build trust and foster positive relationships,” she says her goals for her business and community involvement remain focused on growth and positive impact She envisions continuing to enhance Dunn Brothers’ role in the community creating a space where people feel welcomed and valued “Our goal is for the community to not only know we’re here—but to actively want us to be here,” she says.  Johnson is also open to exploring new opportunities and initiatives “I have an entrepreneurial spirit that is drawn to exploring new ideas and possibilities,” she says Whether it’s expanding into other ventures or supporting emerging community initiatives Johnson's entrepreneurial drive continues to seek innovative ways to contribute and serve “It’s about finding new ways to engage with people and create positive experiences,” she says Her dedication to philanthropy and community service is evident in her business and leadership style “Balancing business success with giving back involves showing up for people and being present in their lives,” Johnson says For those looking to follow in her footsteps “Have courage and trust that the spirit will fill in the gaps where you may fall short even when it’s challenging—is crucial,” she says “It’s about showing up for the people around you and being present in their lives.” Bethel University’s National Alumni Board annually seeks and accepts nominations for the 4 Under 40 Alumni Achievement Award The selection is made from Bethel University graduates 40 years of age or younger who have had outstanding achievements in their career Learn more Support Bethel © 2025 Bethel University | CA Student Disclosures | Privacy Policy Bethel University’s Christ-centered mission includes a commitment to equal educational opportunity and equal employment opportunity Bethel does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race Enthusiasts hope to expand the race next year with more people and activities Sharon Prahl was 21 when death nearly took her She was biking cross-country with a friend in 1986 when she hit a rough patch and flipped her bike fracturing her skull and injuring her spine Prahl — now a chiropractor — has endured chronic pain But she felt her health improve when she discovered plunging into cold water a world record holder and dozens of swimmers at Lake Johanna in Arden Hills for the first Minnesota Ice Swim Nick Tamble and others began planning the competition last August, hoping to have it recognized by the International Ice Swimming Association with the goal of eventually making ice swimming an Olympic event Tamble said Saturday’s competition drew people from across the nation “There’s only one other place that does this in the U.S. At least 200 people gathered for the swim at Lake Johanna using excavators to haul pieces weighing up to 1,900 pounds Swimmers dipped into 35-degree water as “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice boomed from nearby speakers Before Prahl competed in her 25-meter race, Olympics swimmer Cody Miller took to the water. Miller, who won gold and bronze medals the 2016 Games, said ice swimming has grown popular in recent years, thanks to more research and awareness. He said he took ice baths in college to prepare for the Olympics. “This will be exciting [and] open people’s eyes to a whole new sport they never knew about, and hopefully get some exciting events happening in the Twin Cities,” Miller said. Ice swimming, he said, “has some pretty strong neurological effects ... so it’s not just crazy people getting in ice water.” Sarah Spiegle would agree. She’s dipped in frigid water for around three years, recruiting others from her gym to join her. Shivering as she rose from the water Saturday, Spiegle said the benefits of ice water outweigh the cold. “For me, it was really helpful mentally,” Carla Ferrucci said. “I don’t know why, but every time I leave here I feel happy in a way that I don’t always.” For Prahl, Saturday’s race represents a new chapter for her health, which she said improved dramatically after she started cold water plunges last year. She hopes the event introduces those same benefits to others. “We’re planting seeds for people so they don’t have to be afraid of winter. They don’t have to be afraid of cold,“ Prahl said. ”They can get healthier. They can get better circulation for life, less pain for life, and actually heal from crap that nobody has been able to help with. That’s why I’m all in.” Kyeland Jackson is the St. Paul public safety reporter for the Star Tribune. Outdoor Activities The state’s “Big 10″ account for nearly half of the annual harvest. These three cousins were dropped in the middle of the Denali backcountry with nothing to do but explore. Columnist Dennis Anderson and outdoors writer Tony Kennedy will be answering your questions about Minnesota’s largest opening day. Fasching expects the Royals to blitz and stunt just as much as they always have under McElroy. "They haven't changed that much on that side," Fasching said. "The hallmark of Bethel's program is really good defense. They're disruptive with their blitz packages. They can really turn the heat on up front." Once Syverson decided to return to Collegeville for his sixth and final year of eligibility, Drews made the decision to find a new team. Fasching said he doesn't blame Drews for wanting to play and called him a "really good athlete — we wouldn't have recruited him if he wasn't." Drews, a Princeton native, is 51-of-67 passing for 499 yards and seven touchdowns in the Royals' 2-0 start. He also hasn't thrown an interception yet. Kidder already has 19 catches for 231 yards and five TDs this season. "Their offense is more wide open this year," Fasching said. "Kidder is one of the top receivers in our conference, if not the country. They still want to run, but they have different plays than in the past. They want to create mismatches and very good at that." "Our linebackers and defensive line — I can't say enough about the way they played against Wartburg," Fasching said. "We're hoping coming off an extra week of rest will have them ready (Saturday)." "We'd like to get Caden at least five or six carries," Fasching said. "He's been practicing and looking good out there." With the sale, the company will strengthen focus on medical device components. Intricon Corp. has sold its hearing business to inHearing Technology Inc., an arm of a Chinese med-tech company. The new owner, a subsidiary of Huizhou Jinghao Medical Technology Co. Ltd., wants to develop advanced hearing aid technology based on Intricon’s intellectual property. Terms of the deal announced Tuesday were not disclosed. Arden Hills-based Intricon spent years developing technology, software and firmware for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a rule in 2022 clearing the way for the retail sale of OTC hearing aids, which can be purchased without a prescription. But the OTC business has proven to be sluggish. “Our hearing health business pretty much flatlined,” Intricon CEO Scott Longval said. “That [OTC] channel was much slower to develop than we originally anticipated.” Longval said that the hearing business only accounted for 15% of Intricon’s revenue. The deal allows Intricon to focus on its medical device business, which includes micromedical components, catheters and wearable devices. “We just believed that our medical business was better positioned to drive growth,” Longval said. Intricon and Huizhou Jinghao were already connected. “The buyer was a customer of ours. We did components for their hearing aids,” Longval said. Intricon has three manufacturing facilities in the Twin Cities, where it employs 490 people. It also has operations in Singapore, Indonesia and Germany. It is also opening a production plant in Costa Rica. No facilities were involved in the Huizhou Jinghao deal. Intricon’s revenue was $125.2 million, with a net loss of $64,000 in 2021, its last full year as a publicly traded company. “We have been growing steadily since,” Longval said, and Intricon is now profitable. New York-based Altaris Capital Partners acquired Intricon for $241 million in 2022. With the Intricon deal, Jinghoa says it will further its vertical integration in the hearing aid business. “Intricon has made significant contributions to the hearing industry, and with the acquisition complete, Jinghao will place an even stronger focus on advancing hearing technologies,” Jinghao CEO Shine Wang said in a statement. Burl Gilyard is the Star Tribune's medtech reporter. The payment is part of a proposed settlement to litigation dating back more than a decade about alleged economic harms suffered by health care providers. Staffing in Hennepin County to help residents navigate Medical Assistance hasn’t kept pace with the increasing number of people seeking long-term care. City health officials offered 87 clinics last year, vaccinating underserved communities against COVID, measles and other diseases. But the program was cut after the Trump administration terminated the funds. Tim Walz at a Veterans Day ceremony in Arden Hills This is his second public appearance since the election.Mark Zdechlik | MPR NewsPlayListenWalz commends veterans and says it’s time for the country to uniteGo Deeper.CloseCreate an account or log in to save stories Tim Walz is pledging to turn the page after the vice-presidential candidate lost in last week’s election Walz worked to build up Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and scorned Republican Donald Trump for being a threat to democracy But at a Veterans Day event in Arden Hills Walz backed off his criticism of Trump and struck a conciliatory tone we just proved to the rest of the world that our democracy is strong,” Walz said on an upbeat note We now come back together to ensure that President-elect Trump is successful as he possibly can be especially on the issues that we care about."  Tim Walz speaks at a Veterans Day ceremony Monday in Arden Hills talked about the importance of honoring and caring for people who serve in the nation’s military And even though his Republican critics took issue with his National Guard career during Walz’s campaign for vice president “My greatest privilege was serving as a ranking member on the House Veterans Affairs Committee,” Walz said you couldn’t tell who was the Republican and who was the Democrat.” Walz also called the Minneapolis VA the “best hospital in America“ and said the creation of three new veteran’s homes in Minnesota helped reduce veteran homelessness Walz didn’t release any new initiatives to support veterans during his speech He will release his plans for a new two-year budget early next year