Business comes naturally to the City of Elk River, Minnesota. Elk River is one of the fastest-growing business communities in Central Minnesota, with a 30 percent job growth rate and over 1,000 businesses now calling the city home, 50 of which are manufacturers and two of which are Fortune 50 data centres. Our goal is to continue this economic growth and vitality by adding to the city’s thriving business environment. The heart of downtown Elk River is located at the convergence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers. The area offers quaint shops, restaurants and services, along with progressive fitness and wellness offerings. Elk River is a friendly city with big-city conveniences.

Elk River has a longstanding history in energy. We’d even go so far as to say it’s a tradition – a tradition that keeps on growing

Power provision
Elk River has a longstanding history in energy. We’d even go so far as to say it’s a tradition – a tradition that keeps on growing. From the construction of the Elk River dam in 1856 to becoming a hub of energy technology and manufacturing, our community has been on the cutting edge of clean and renewable energy for years. Indeed, this has led to Elk River being designated Minnesota’s Energy City.

Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) has superb water quality and electrical reliability that has earned it the American Public Power Association’s prestigious RP³ designation, signifying a Reliable Public Power Provider. Its electrical service provides 99.9999 percent reliability, with infrastructure large enough to handle the demands of data centres and manufacturers. What’s more, the water used for cooling has very little mineral content.

We are naturally equipped for the development of migrating or expanding businesses. Coupled with the accelerated timeline from groundbreaking to completion, you won’t find a community that’s a better site for business.

The Elk River Area School District is the 8th largest in Minnesota. The schools have each earned a reputation for providing outstanding educational opportunities to students through science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and audio and visual technology (AVID) programmes. In addition to the public schools, Elk River is home to several innovative parochial and charter schools.

Steeped in nature
The heart of the city is powered by nature. The Elk River community prides itself on its dedication to outdoor recreation. With 45 parks totalling 1,100 acres, over 75 miles of paved walkways, and myriad hiking and biking trails, there are plenty of recreational options for all outdoor enthusiasts. Elk River is a place for people who live and breathe the outdoors, knowing they have the comforts of the big-city amenities the surrounding area has to offer. Relax by taking the Northstar Commuter Rail into downtown Minneapolis for a day of shopping or sports events, or simply to get to work. The Northstar provides a comfortable way to get to any activity you enjoy.

The City of Elk River Economic Development Department offers a variety of services that can assist any size project or industry looking to relocate. We have streamlined processes to accelerate timelines from groundbreaking to facility completion. We are confident you’ll find everything you need for your business in the City of Elk River.