LOVES PARK (WREX) -
A new expansion will bring more jobs to the Loves Park area.Danfoss is growing its business so fast it needs more space to keep up.
13 NEWS was at the ground breaking for the company's expansion and has more on what area leaders are hoping this new facility can bring.
Everyone said Danfoss' new expansion has already brought in jobs by creating a need for construction and they believe this addition to Loves Park Corporate Center can attract more businesses to the area.
Adding jobs is nothing new for Danfoss. Last year they created 60 new positions. This year they've already added 56 new jobs. They hope to keep up that pace, but they'll need more space to do it.
"We've grown quite a bit over the last 18 months. Our workforce has increased in size by almost 50 percent so we've been hiring a lot of people. Umm, it's getting pretty crowded in that building. So it's great to have this space to move into and alleviate some of that crowding."
Mark Goode of Venture One Real Estate is developer of Danfoss' new building and owns 47 acres of Loves Park's Corporate Center, he's confident that this addition will encourage more businesses to build in the Corporate Center.
"I think momentum is extremely important for business parks and communities and I think that when companies look to expand a grow and open a new facility they want to be near other new facilities for residual value of the real estate they're building and also for their employees to feel good that they're in an area that's growing."
Loves Park Mayor Darryl Lindberg is also confident this new building will help sell the remaining land in Loves Park Corporate Center.
"Because Danfoss has made this commitment it makes it much easier for us to market the remaining property it becomes just more and more valuable."
Danfoss' new building takes up 7.5 acres which leaves 40 acres remaining. Mark Goode says 2 or 3 facilities the same size can be put on the remaining land.
According to Mark Goode they are very hopeful that there will be more groundbreakings within the next 12 to 18 months.
