Crews broke ground Friday on what will be a new research and manufacturing facility for Olympus Surgical Technologies America in Brooklyn Park. The $37 million, 180,000-square-foot plant is expected to be completed by next fall.
Olympus will move 265 workers there from other facilities in Maple Grove. In addition, the company is expected to add up to 100 jobs.
Ryan Cos. is developing the site in partnership with Olympus. The facility is near Hwy. 610. As part of the project, the city of Brooklyn Park is extending Louisiana Avenue to the north.
Olympus officials say the plant will house research, design and production operations for technology that enables surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations. Brooklyn Park beat out three other metropolitan areas for the project — Boston, Memphis and Cleveland.
Brooklyn Park and the state of Minnesota have pledged up to $2.25 million in assistance to Olympus to help improve infrastructure and prepare the site. The local and state aid is linked to the creation of jobs with an average wage of up to $23.80 an hour.
James Walsh
