Work has begun on an expansion at Uponor, a multinational manufacturer of plumbing and heating systems whose North American operations are based in Apple Valley.

The company, which has about 380 employees in Apple Valley, is adding 17,500 square feet of manufacturing space to help meet projected growth for specialized polyethylene tubing for plumbing, fire sprinkler, and radiant heating and cooling systems. This will be the fifth expansion for the facility, which was built about 20 years ago.

Earlier this year Uponor was honored as the 2013 Manufacturer of the Year in the large-company category by the Manufacturers Alliance, an association that provides training, education and resources to manufacturing firms nationwide.

New restaurant planned in Eagan

The Eagan Planning Commission has approved a planned development amendment allowing on-sale liquor for a new restaurant proposed at 4250 Lexington Av. S.

The applicant, Maria Alvarez, still will need to get licenses for an on-sale liquor operation that are separate from the land use request approved by the commission.

The Fiesta Cancun Grill would occupy about 4,000 square feet in a 18,430-square-foot strip mall. The other tenants include a fitness center, nail salon, professional office and two other restaurants. The mall was built in 1986 and is part of the 1,100-acre Lexington South planned development.

The restaurant would be the second in the Twin Cities for Fiesta Cancun Grill, which also has an outlet in Brooklyn Park.

State vocational rehab office opens

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's vocational rehabilitation division recently expanded by opening a new office in Apple Valley.

The new office is at the Shops of Galaxie at 153rd Street and Galaxie Avenue and occupies space that previously housed CitiLink.

The rehabilitation division works closely with ProAct, MRCI and Lifeworks, all of which offer employment services to people with disabilities.

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