Video: Apple Valley 'Open for Business,' Mayor Says

Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce members and city officials gathered Wednesday for the annual chamber luncheon, where Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland highlighted the city’s development during 2010 and gave attendees an idea of developments to expect in 2011, during the annual State of the City address.

Apple Valley is a secure city that’s building its economy and seeing job growth, Hamann-Roland said at Apple Valley's Grandstay Hotel.

“Apple Valley is open for business,” she said.

About 1,400 new jobs came to Apple Valley during 2010, Hamann-Roland said, and the city issued $59.2 million in permit value during 2010, a 25 percent increase from 2009.

She mentioned expansions to businesses such as , Uponor and the , and new sites for businesses like the MacPhail Center for Music, White Castle and Think Mutual Bank as evidence of growth.

She also talked about the coming benefits of the construction projects.

“Businesses, you need to get ready for more tourists in Apple Valley,” she said.

The city also experienced residential growth, she said, issuing 49 single-family building permits in 2010; the Quarry View townhomes are set to take in residents this summer, and the Cobblestone Square senior apartments now have a waiting list, she said.

In terms of future development, Hamann-Roland mentioned coming improvements to the Time Square shopping center, new properties available near the Fischer Marketplace and construction along Cedar Avenue to facilitate Bus Rapid Transit.

The city also will extend Flagstaff Avenue in the fall to connect 140th Street to 150th Street, she said, as well as 147th Street in 2011 and 2012 to provide a route between Pilot Knob Road and Walmart.

“This is going to make a huge difference,” she said, as will grants that Apple Valley will use to try to make the downtown area more bike-friendly.

Ken Danner, who sits on the Dakota Electric Association board of directors, said he thinks the future of the city looks good. He said he liked that Hamann-Roland highlighted the smaller parcels of land that will be available for commercial development.

Danielle Olson, who owns her own chiropractic and healing business in Apple Valley, said the points Hamann-Roland highlighted make her proud to be practicing in Apple Valley.

The city and its residents and business community have a “positive vibe,” she said.

“It’s inspiring to be around them,” Olson said.