Success Stories

YEAGER MACHINE

City officials, Chamber of Commerce officers and Yeager Machine employees gathered for a ceremonial groundbreakingThe City of Norwood Young America held a groundbreaking ceremony for Yeager Machine in June of 2008.  

Yeager Machine is a precision manufacturer doing work for the medical technology, agriculture and racing industries.  Owner Mike Yeager started his business in 1991, with a single machine.  Business has been growing steadily ever since. 

20,000 sq. ft. tip-up concrete facility

20,000 sq. ft. tip-up concrete facility

In 2006, Yeager approached the City of NYA about buying land in the new Tacoma West Industrial Park.  He explained that his business was outgrowing its existing location in the Pine Business Park in Waconia. 

City staff worked with Yeager over the course of the next 18 months to solidify a development plan. 

Yeager Machine occupied its new facility in November of 2008.  The company brought 14 new jobs to the community paying wages above $20 / hour.  Moreover, the project adds $1 million plus to the tax rolls.

For more information about Yeager Machine, visit the company’s Web site.

VICKERMAN  COMPANY

Vickerman Company was the first business to locate in the new Tacoma West Industrial Park.  Vickerman relocated to NYA from a facility in Dahlgren Township in rural Carver County.  The company’s owners considered expansion at its former site, but when they learned about the new industrial park in NYA, they decided its location better fit the business’ long-term needs. 

36,000 sq. ft. steel framed building

36,000 sq. ft. steel framed building

Vickerman CEO Randy Schuster states, “NYA offers affordable land with rail service, and an excellent location with easy access to the Twin Cities and points west. ”

Vickerman Company is an importer and wholesaler of quality seasonal decorations, including traditional and realistic artificial Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands. 

The Vickerman project came together very quickly.  City staff met for the first time with company representatives in April of 2007.  Due to the nature of their business, they expressed an eagerness to complete the project by the end of September 2007.  Recognizing the company’s urgency, City staff put the project on a fast track. 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in June of 2007, and the company occupied its new 36,000 facility in early October 2007.  Vickerman employs seven full-time and 25 part-time, seasonal workers.

Schuster concludes, “We are very pleased with our decision to relocate our business to Norwood Young America.   The City’s friendly staff worked hard to keep the project on schedule by managing the TIF districting process.  They also worked well with our contractor so that our 36,000 sq. ft. distribution center could be built in time for our busy season.  The land was acquired, TIF district approved and the building was completed—all in less than five months! ”

For more information about Vickerman, visit the company’s Web site.