Red Wing is a Manufacturing Hub!

Red Wing, Minnesota has been an industrial and manufacturing community for more than 100 years. From its early history as a key source of limestone for the construction industry, Red Wing has been defined by hard-working and innovative manufacturing companies who rely on a skilled workforce to bring their products to a global marketplace. The Red Wing Port Authority celebrates their contributions and is dedicated to helping other companies realize the potential of the manufacturing opportunities existing in Red Wing today.

Manufacturing in Red Wing

Red Wing is home to a diverse base of manufacturers, such as Red Wing Shoes, Riedell Skates, 3M, Koozie Group and Hydrocontrol. These companies are leaders in technology and good workplace practices, produce high-quality products and consistently innovate to keep in step with and progress their industries. We are proud these companies have made their home in Red Wing.

Reasons to Locate a Business in Red Wing

Only a short 45-minute drive from the Twin Cities, Red Wing is a vibrant small town that offers businesses and employees direct access to the amenities of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Red Wing offers several advantages to national and global manufacturing companies, beginning with extensive transportation infrastructure, including a working port and a regional airport, that is rarely found in small communities. Red Wing businesses are served by US-61 and US-63, two highways that provide reliable access to I-94, I-90 and I-35 within a hour’s drive. Red Wing is one of only five river ports in Minnesota, which provides direct commerce with 38 states. The Red Wing Port Authority manages unique commercial shipping through the port and is an option to rail or truck not typically found in the Midwest. The Red Wing Regional Airport offers commercial and private air travel, often faster and more convenient for businesses than larger nearby airports. Blue Airways provides professional fixed-base operator services.

Local sites and buildings with various zoning designations are available for manufacturing companies looking to expand.  Businesses have room to grow in Red Wing in the prime development land, complete with roads and infrastructure, covering 46 acres in two industrial development parks owned by the Red Wing Port Authority. One example is the shovel-ready 17-acre site in the River Bluffs Development Park, located on a bluff overlooking downtown and the Mississippi River Valley.

Moving a business to Red Wing often makes fiscal sense based on available financial assistance. The Red Wing Port Authority can help owners and entrepreneurs understand what financial incentives, loan programs or tax credits apply directly to their business.

Finally, while Red Wing itself is a small community, its proximity to the Twin Cities allows businesses to draw on a large pool of skilled workers. Minnesota State College Southeast is a technical and community college with a campus in Red Wing, which is a key partner with local businesses for continuing education of employees. Many technical colleges and public/private universities can be found in less than an hour’s drive as well. Red Wing Port Authority has several relationships with area institutions, like the SE Minnesota SBDC in Rochester and Red Wing Ignite, which both assist small businesses and have programs dedicated to developing a skilled workforce.

Manufacturing Sector Growth in Minnesota

Manufacturing’s importance throughout Minnesota is due to the sector’s stability and growth. In fact, manufacturing contributes 13.07% to the Gross State Product annually, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The export of manufacturing goods from Minnesota was also $18.84 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2020, creating jobs and economic opportunities for the state.

The Minnesota manufacturing industry employed more than 310,000 people in 2020, and as reported by NAM, the average annual compensation for Minnesota’s manufacturing jobs was nearly $81,000 in 2019. Upon graduating high school or trade school, students can begin working for one of Minnesota’s manufacturing companies and, within a few years, reach a level of income that surpasses the average household income in the United States.

To learn more about how the Red Wing Port Authority can help manufacturing companies in Red Wing, email us or call (651) 385-3639.