News in Economic Development

Public Hearing: Zoning Code Update

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed new Zoning Code on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 7:00 pm in the Ramsey City Hall Council Chambers. Interested businesses can review the most recent Zoning Code draft on the City’s website at www.cityoframsey.com/968/Zoning-Code-Update. The new Zoning Code is an attempt to streamline regulations regarding land use and development while adding provisions that have been missing. Please provide any comments or questions to Todd Larson, Planning Manager, at tlarson@cityoframsey.com. 

EDA Business Expo

The City of Ramsey Economic Development Authority (EDA) hosted another successful Business Expo on Saturday, April 29, 2023 with almost 60 vendor booths and around 600 guests attending. For more photos or to view a list of attending vendors, visit the Expo page at https://www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/372/EDA-Business-Expo. 

QCTV Features Ramsey Businesses

QCTV recently featured Ramsey business Anoka Ramsey Farm & Garden, Ramsey Bicycle and King Kong Hobbies in a recent Live and Local segment. Check out these and more Ramsey stories on QCTV's YouTube channel.

Highway 10 Open House

Anoka County, in partnership with MNDOT and City of Ramsey, held an open house on April 12, 2023 to review the final project design and plans for the Highway 10 improvement project. For more information or to view current updates, visit www.anokacountyramseygateway.com.  

View a simulation of the new Highway 10 through Ramsey:

Anoka Area Chamber Offer for Highway 10 Businesses

Pete Turok, President of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced an offer to help Ramsey businesses affected by the Highway 10 project, whether a chamber member or not. Click here for more details or visit AAC's website at www.anokaareachamber.com. 

Business Visits

Each year, Economic Development Staff and officials connect with various Ramsey businesses to see how things are going and answer any questions they might have. The visit includes a confidential business survey that allows businesses to share ideas, communicate concerns, and educate city staff about their business. The visit is conversational and usually takes 30-60 minutes. Ninety business visits have been conducted over the past three years. A summary presentation is given to the EDA each year at the  January EDA meeting.

If your Ramsey business would like to schedule a visit (phone call or in-person), please contact Wendy Schlueter at 763-433-9828 or Sean Sullivan at 763-433-9868. 

O'Reilly Auto Parts Holds Ribbon Cutting

O'Reilly Auto Parts, located at 7248 Sunwood Dr NW, celebrated their grand opening in a winter storm on December 21, 2022.

Photo Credit: Pete Turok, Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce

QCTV Live & Local - Ramsey

The November 2022 edition of QCTV's Live & Local Ramsey features Ramsey's City Administrator Brian Hagen, Planning Manager Todd Larson and Economic Development Manager Sean Sullivan, along with several local Ramsey businesses. Watch and learn more about what's happening in Ramsey.

Thank You, Hoya!

The City of Ramsey would like to give a big thank you to the HOYA Vision Care staff for volunteering their time to do a community cleanup on October 21st! They helped beautify the area around Jaspar Street and 143rd Avenue, along with the walking trail around Cottonwood Park located along Sunwood Drive and Bunker Lake Boulevard. Visit our City's Adopt-A-Spot program page to learn more about it.

Free STEM Intern Resource for Employers

Your small company can build its future workforce, source great talent AND access a wage match to cover 50% of a college STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) intern’s wages through the SciTech Internship Program. Learn more at SciTechMN.org.

• Employers receive a wage match of 50% of the intern’s wages, worth up to $2,500.
• SciTech is free for students and small employers.
• At least 200 wage matches are available on a first-come, first-hire basis.
• Industries include tech, biotech, engineering, manufacturing, energy, aerospace, ag and more!

ACE Solid Waste Receives Chamber Retail Service Award

Ace Solid Waste received a Retail Service of the Year award at the Annual Breakfast Meeting of the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce that took place on October 12th. The chamber is in its 70th year of operation. ACE has been a Ramsey business since 1999.

Anytime Fitness Expansion & Relocation

November 2022
Congratulations to Anytime Fitness Ramsey (Sunwood Drive) on their recent relocation and expansion to the West Armstrong Retail building at 8019 146^th Ave NW, Suite 101. The new facility offers 300+ more square feet and is located right off of Armstrong Blvd and Highway 10.

Retro Style Ice Cream Shop Opens in Ramsey

October 2022
Miss Iz Ice Cream & Soda Pop Shop, located at 14050 St Francis Blvd NW (Suite B2) in Ramsey Town Square, held their Grand Opening on October 22nd followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 25th. Miss Iz is a 1950’s inspired style ice cream shop named after the owners’ daughter, Isabella. They offer 12 premium hard scooped ice cream flavors, 4 Gelato options, a dozen soda pop flavors (with option to add a scoop to float it), in-house created ice cream cookie sandwiches and other yummy treats! Visit their website at https://www.missizicecream.com or find them on social media.

PACT Charter Breaks Ground on New Secondary Campus

October 2022
On Thursday, October 6, 2022, PACT Charter School broke ground on their new Secondary Campus in Ramsey, Minnesota. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the occasion in a groundbreaking ceremony that included students, parents, staff, and local and state officials. Read full article...

October is Minnesota Manufacturing Month

October 2022 
Gov. Tim Walz has declared October as Manufacturing Month in the State of Minnesota. Read proclamation here.

Ramsey Apartment Complex Fetches $28.56M

September 2022 
A five-year-old apartment building in Ramsey appears to have been a good investment for the out-of-state investor that bought the property in 2018. Curtis Capital Group of Bellevue, Washington, sold the 121-unit Park View East building at 14450 Rhinestone St NW for $28.56 million, according to a certificate of real estate value made public Tuesday. Curtis Capital paid $22 million for the building in 2018. The real estate document lists the buyer as PA Parkview SPE LLC, which shares the same address as MinnDakotaProperties. Edina-based MinnDakota Properties “acquires and self-manages rental properties across the Twin Cities,”according to its website. Read full article... 

Unique Free Business and Financial Assistance for Ramsey Businesses

September 2022
Are you interested in starting a small business in Ramsey or expanding your current business? Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD) is a non-profit entity that offers small business owners in Anoka County free assistance and alternative financing options through their Open to Business program. More information is available on their website or under Related Links on our Economic Development page.

2022 Ramsey Business of the Year: Plants & Things

August 2022
Congratulations to PLANTS & THINGS USA, recipients of the 2022 Ramsey Business of the Year! Plants & Things, located at the corner of Highway 10 & Sunfish Lake Blvd (13745 Sunfish Lake Blvd NW), started their business as a fruit & vegetable stand in 1979. They offer the largest selection of maintenance-free recycled materials, ship their products globally and now employ 69 people companywide. They are active in the community by donating to local schools, churches, festivals and other charities. The City of Ramsey is proud to have Plants & Things in our business community.

Each year, Ramsey's Economic Development Authority selects a local business to receive this award based on their exemplary standing in various categories. The Business of the Year award is presented at the Business Appreciation Event in August.

Oppidan Breaks Ground on $40M Project

June 2022
Oppidan, Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 16, 2022 in Ramsey's 140 acre Bunker Lake Industrial Park (BLIP) for their latest project. The $40M investment will bring three new industrial buildings (over 400,000 SF total) and business growth to Ramsey. An anticipated 300 new jobs will be created as a result. To date, there has been over 470,000 SF of new building space created in BLIP.

Power Lodge Acquires Miller Marine of St. Cloud

May 2022
Power Lodge, with four dealership locations in Minnesota and Florida (including Ramsey), has acquired Miller Marine of St. Cloud (and its earworm of a radio jingle!). Read more at Powersports Business...

Dedicated Networks Recognized as Outstanding Business

May 2022
Dedicated Networks was recognized at the May 10, 2022 City Council meeting as Outstanding Business for their contributions to the City of Ramsey. Over the years they have participated in a myriad of programs that benefit Ramsey residents. In addition to being a Happy Days sponsor, Dedicated Networks sponsored an Earth Day event in April to remove significant amounts of litter and debris along streets and stormwater ponds within the business park near Unity Street. Volunteers planted 7 boulevard trees in the business park, including a $600 large Oak tree donated by Dedicated Networks.

Dedicated Networks Inc has been a prominent family business headquartered in Ramsey since 2012, and employs more than 140 area residents. Dedicated Networks is also one of the 2022 Business of the Year nominees. Thank you to Dedicated Networks and their employees!

2022 EDA Business Expo a Success!

April 2022
The rain couldn't keep away the crowd. The 2022 Ramsey EDA Business Expo saw potentially the largestattendance ever. An estimated 650-750 attended the event on Saturday, April 30th to learn more about Ramsey and surrounding businesses. Additional photos and a list of particpating vendors can be found on the Business Expo page. Thank you to all who attended!

Welcome New EDA Members

April 2022

Scott Wiyninger and Shanna Stewart were recently sworn in as the newest members of Ramsey's Economic Development Authority. Scott will hold a 6 year term and Shanna's is a 4 year term. Scott moved to Ramsey in 2021 and is married with four children. Shanna has lived in Ramsey for awhile and is married with two children. Both are looking forward to being part of the EDA.

Gigi's Salon & Spa Opens at New Location

March 2022
Gigi's Salon and Spa has officially relocated to their new 9700 sq ft building at 7850 Sunwood Dr NW, across from Coborn's gas station. Gigi's new location will include expanded services. You can view their QCTV segment describing the new location here or take a look inside. Congratulations, Gigi's!

Scott Cords Day - February 10, 2022

The City of Ramsey announced at the February 8th City Council meeting that February 10th, 2022 would be proclaimed Scott Cords Day. Scott Cords passed away on January 27th unexpectedly. He was a Ramsey resident, very active in his community and most recently was the Chairman of Ramsey's Economic Development Authority. He volunteered for TLC Toys and was part of a featured WCCO News segment in December, found here. Watch the February 8, 2022 City Council meeting reading of the proclamation here.

Sammy Perrella's Pizza Coming to Ramsey

January 2022
Sammy's Pizza is now open at 13939 St Francis Blvd NW Ste 100 in Ramsey as a take-out pizza and sandwich shop. Read full article in ABC Newspapers. Watch their Facebook page for store opening details.

Northern Starz Center for the Performing Arts Celebrates 10 Years

January 2022
Northern Stars Center for the Performing Arts, located at 5300 Alpine Dr NW, Ste 200 in Ramsey, is celebrating 10 years! Read full article...

Riversbend Bar & Grill Expansion

November 2021
Congratulations to Riversbend Bar & Grill, located at 14077 St Francis Blvd NW, on their recent dining room expansion to accommodate a large group dining area and golf simulator. Book online at www.golfriversbend.com. 

Ribbon Cuttings Held for New Ramsey Businesses

November 2021
Anoka Area Chamber held ribbon cutting ceremonies for Big Adventures Academy, a child care facility that recently opened in West Armstrong retail center and Jernell Realty, a realtor in the Rum River retail center. Congratulations!

Delta ModTech - Twin Cities Business Magazine's "2021 Family Business of the Year"

October 2021 
Delta ModTech, who relocated to Ramsey in 2020, is one of five Minnesota companies selected as "2021 Family Business of the Year" by Twin Cities Business Magazine. Read full article in the October issue of Twin Cities Business Magazine here. Their story starts on page 48. Congratulations Delta ModTech!

Ramsey Industrial Development Site Sells for $4 million

September 21, 2021
Ramsey Industrial Owner LLC, an entity related to the Rockpoint Group real estate firm in Dallas, has paid $4 million for the site of a future $42.7 million industrial development in Ramsey. Rockpoint is working with Excelsior-based Oppidan, which plans to develop three speculative industrial buildings at the site. The buildings will offer more than 405,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space, according to city documents. Read full article.

Delta ModTech Breaks Ground in Ramsey

October 20, 2019
A well-anticipated manufacturer is adding jobs and helping grow the city of Ramsey. Delta ModTech broke ground Oct. 8 as the first business to move into Ramsey's Bunker Lake Business Park. Read more at hometownsource.com.

Delta ModTech to Break Ground on $16M Facility

September 24, 2019
Web product converter Delta ModTech will break ground Oct. 8 on a 210,000-square-foot production and engineering building on a portion of 43 acres of industrial land. The company paid $3.51 million for the property inside the 125-acre Bunker Lake Industrial Park, according to a certificate of real estate value made public late last week. Read full article.