Frequently Asked Questions

The Red Wing Port Authority is the official economic development agency for the City of Red Wing, Minnesota. It leads efforts to attract, retain, and expand businesses while coordinating community redevelopment.

The Red Wing Port Authority was formed in 1985 to act as the city’s primary economic development agency and to support job creation, business growth, and waterfront management.

The mission is to promote economic and industrial development, coordinate redevelopment, enhance the tax base, foster employment opportunities, and contribute to the economic vitality and quality of life in Red Wing.

The Port Authority provides a range of services, including operating a revolving loan fund, coordinating financing for projects, administering Tax Increment Financing districts, issuing Industrial Revenue Bonds, offering site selection assistance, and owning developable land with infrastructure.

The Port Authority partners with state and federal governments, private entities, and other local organizations such as the Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority to support financing and redevelopment efforts.

Yes. The Port Authority supports downtown revitalization and development initiatives, collaborating with community partners to spur investment, restore historic properties, and enhance downtown Red Wing's economic vibrancy.

The Port Authority owns 50+ acres of developable land with infrastructure and also operates a riverfront bulk transfer facility that supports waterborne commerce.

By providing financial tools such as loan programs and incentive coordination, partnering with business support organizations, and facilitating the navigation of redevelopment opportunities, the Port Authority supports both business growth and broader community development.

The Red Wing Port Authority can be reached at its office at 419 Bush Street, Red Wing, Minnesota 55066, by phone at (651) 385-3639, or via its website.

The Red Wing Port Authority assists current and aspiring business owners in navigating growth and startup challenges by connecting them with financial tools, technical assistance, and development resources. It also works with partner organizations to link entrepreneurs with planning, training, and business development support in Red Wing.

The Port Authority operates a revolving loan fund that provides long‑term, reasonably priced financing with low down payment requirements to healthy, expanding businesses. It works with business owners to customize financing solutions that support growth, equipment purchases, real estate acquisition, and other capital needs in Red Wing.

The Sign, Awning & Façade Program helps commercial and industrial building owners improve exterior building features. By providing financial assistance for improvements, this program increases property appeal, attracts customers, and supports downtown economic activity.

The Red Wing Port Authority offers technical assistance grants to help business owners and developers with early planning needs, including architectural drawings, feasibility studies, and infrastructure planning. These resources can help entrepreneurs prepare projects for financing or redevelopment. Learn more about this assistance on our Financing Toolkit webpage.

Yes. Targeted business assistance programs are available to help existing businesses relocate within Red Wing, particularly in areas undergoing redevelopment. These programs aim to support business continuity while contributing to revitalization efforts.

The Port Authority can help connect small business owners with state and federal incentive programs that reduce costs or provide funding. Examples include the Greater Minnesota Job Expansion Program, which offers employment growth incentives, and the Angel Tax Credit, which supports investment in early-stage companies.

Yes. The Red Wing Port Authority collaborates with community partners and organizations dedicated to promoting small business development and entrepreneurship. While the Port Authority facilitates connections and project support, partner organizations provide additional training, mentoring, and business planning resources that are valuable to early‑stage businesses.

The Port Authority participates in downtown redevelopment initiatives and investment partnerships that stimulate economic activity and support the success of small businesses. Through grant programs, façade improvement funding, and downtown investment, the agency helps create a vibrant business environment that enables small businesses to thrive.

The Red Wing Port Authority provides comprehensive economic development services for businesses, developers, and site selectors, including site selection assistance, redevelopment planning, business financing support, and coordination of public and private development resources. The Port Authority collaborates closely with companies to assess locations, identify suitable properties, and develop financial tools that facilitate successful business investment in Red Wing, Minnesota.

The Red Wing Port Authority owns and manages more than 100 acres of developable land. These properties include shovel-ready industrial and business sites with existing infrastructure, making them well-suited for industrial, office, and light manufacturing development.

The Port Authority offers development opportunities within established business parks, including River Bluffs Development Park, which features office and light industrial sites, and the New Industrial Business Park, designed for industrial and manufacturing uses. These parks offer build-ready parcels with installed utilities to support timely project development.

The Red Wing Port Authority administers several financing and incentive tools to support business growth, including a revolving loan fund, industrial revenue bonds, and participation in Tax Increment Financing districts. These programs help bridge financing gaps, encourage redevelopment, and support business expansion and relocation projects in Red Wing.

Yes. The Port Authority plays a crucial role in coordinating the redevelopment of underutilized or strategically important properties throughout the community. It partners with public and private entities to align infrastructure investment, financing, and redevelopment planning, thereby supporting economic growth.

The Red Wing Port Authority operates a riverfront bulk transfer facility that supports waterborne commerce on the Mississippi River. Port Authority-owned industrial sites are also served by comprehensive municipal infrastructure, supporting efficient logistics and ongoing business operations.

While the Port Authority’s primary role is economic development and site facilitation, it works with local and regional partners to connect businesses with workforce information, training resources, and business support organizations during the site selection and expansion process.

Established in 1985, the Red Wing Port Authority has decades of experience supporting business expansion, relocation, and redevelopment projects in Red Wing, Minnesota. The agency has collaborated with a diverse range of industries to facilitate the transition of projects from evaluation to implementation.

Site selectors, developers, and businesses can contact the Red Wing Port Authority directly to discuss project needs, available sites, and financing options. The Port Authority serves as a single point of contact to guide projects through site evaluation, development planning, and implementation.