Valmont Industries' operation in Farmington was one of five businesses from around Minnesota recently awarded funds by a new state job-creation program.

Valmont, an Omaha-based manufacturer of aluminum poles and arms, will receive up to $129,000 from the Minnesota Job Creation Fund. The $24 million fund is overseen by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The new program is available to businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and technology.

Valmont's products are used in lighting and traffic structures, communication towers, utility structures and irrigation equipment. Because of an increase in demand, the company is expanding with plans to create 15 full-time, permanent jobs in Farmington.

The funding for Valmont is part of $2.3 million in first-round project awards expected to create 240 jobs in Minnesota. Other companies receiving awards were Axis Clinicals LLC of Dilworth, Bluegrass Proteins of Dawson, Harmony Enterprises of Harmony and Heraeus Medical Components of White Bear Township.

Seasonal garden center for Rosemount

The Rosemount Planning Commission last week approved plans for the Plant Place Inc. of Elk River to operate a temporary garden center in the Rosemount Market Square Shopping Center parking lot. The City Council will consider the plans Tuesday.

This is the same location that Linder's Garden Center had operated its temporary store in previous years. Linder's closed its flagship store and greenhouses in St. Paul and its network of 50 Flower Marts last year. The company had been in business for more than 100 years.

The Plant Place has told the city it hopes to open the Rosemount garden center Tuesday and operate it seven days a week until July 15. The company has been in the seasonal garden center business for more than 30 years.

Park Dental arrives in Apple Valley

Park Dental has opened a new clinic in Apple Valley at the southwest corner of 150th St. W. and Flagstaff Avenue, across the parking lot from Home Depot.

Park Dental began in 1972 in Brooklyn Park and has 36 locations in the Twin Cities. The clinics provide a wide range of services for adults and children, including preventive care, cosmetic and restorative care and oral surgery.

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Susan Feyder • 952-746-3282