Recent Investments in our Community
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Mayo Clinic Health Systems St. James $24,000,000 Investment
Mayo Clinic Health System St. James opened doors to its new $22 million facility in November 2007. In 2015-2016 over $2 million dollars have been invested in the building and continued improvements have been made to the way care is delivered.
Smithfield Foods Expansion
Smithfield Foods added three production lines to their St. James facility in March 2022. Smithfield Foods created 140 jobs with the added production lines. They invested upwards of $800,000 to expand their parking lot.
St. James Veterinary Clinic $1,800,000 Investment
In 2022, the St. James Veterinary Clinic moved locations to 211 First Ave S. They invested approximately $1,800,000 to remodel the building to serve their small animal clientele and they have plans to renovate the other half of the building for large animal use in the future. Their practice offers regular hours with three and a half doctors and provides ambulatory services to the six-county region. The Saint James Veterinary Clinic strives to provide high quality veterinary services with a small-town attitude.
Good Samaritan Society St. James $825,000 Investment
In the spring of 2016, Good Samaritan- St. James opened a new Post-Acute Rehabilitation Center that features:
- 8 short-stay private recovery suites with private bathrooms, showers, refrigerator and cable television
- A new therapy gym and private treatment room for in-patient and out-patient physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
- Remodeled lounge, kitchen and dining area
In the summer of 2016 the campus also remodeled 23 long-term care resident rooms with new flooring.
First Lutheran Church $1,100,000 Investment
Krause Photography
In 2016, First Lutheran Church completed a $1,100,000 remodel project.
- Remodeled the kitchen
- Added bathrooms in the social hall
- Remodeled downstairs classrooms into two pastor’s offices and a new conference room
- Remodeled the downstairs bathrooms
- Turned the chapel into a social gathering
- Became ADA compliant
- Re-carpeted the downstairs and added a portico
Pioneer Bank $200,000 Investment
Krause Photography
In 2015, Pioneer Bank made a $200,000 investment by updating the interior and exterior of their facility with:
- A new teller line
- New furniture, flooring, and fixtures
- New breakroom facilities
- An expanded drive-thru
Super 8 Motel Major Remodel
In 2014, the St. James Super 8 completed a major remodel to include:
- Carpeting
- Lighting
- Lobby furniture
- Pool and spa lifts
Anytime Fitness $110,000 Investment
In the fall of 2012, Anytime Fitness in St. James underwent a remodel that included:
- New equipment
- Free-standing walls
- New workout space upstairs
- Aesthetic upgrades throughout the entire facility
DODA USA Expansion
DODA specializes in a wide variety of manure handling equipment, pumps, mixers and field irrigation systems. In the Summer of 2016, DODA USA expanded their facilities in the St. James industrial park. The expansion included:
- New 31,000 square-foot building
- New office space
- Expanded manufacturing and increased efficiency
Tri-County Seed New Facility
Tri-County Seed opened doors to a brand new 9,000 square foot facility in the St. James Industrial Park in January of 2016. Tri-County Seed is a full service agronomy business with seed, fertilizer, seed treatment, chemistry, and provides application. The business sells directly to farmers.
Subway Relocation
In 2014, Subway built a new facility and relocated their operation. In addition, they built extra space which is currently being leased by H&R Block.
Rod’s Repair Expansion
Rod’s Repair expanded their business in 2015-2016 by adding a new hoist, alignment rack and additional square footage.
Edward Jones $40,000 Investment
In 2014, Edward Jones acquired this building and completed $40,000 of remodeling work to the upstairs office. The main level is leased to a tenant.
Veteran’s Memorial $125,000 Investment
Construction began for the St. James Veterans Memorial in 2015. The initial cost was $125,000 and investment continues as pavers are sold and additions are made. This project was made possible by generous local donations.
Watonwan County $13,375,000 Investment
Watonwan County invested over 13 million dollars in the St. James area between 2013 & 2017 on County road and bridge projects.
Watonwan County Fairgrounds $96,430 Investment
Watonwan County Public Works has invested almost $100,000 in the Watonwan County Fairgrounds in recent years.
- Upgrades to the Dairy Barn
- Upgrades to the 4H Food Stand
- Floor repairs in the 4H Exhibit Building
- New perimeter fence, pattern tiling and reconditioning of arena surface at the Horse Arena
- New service doors at the Beef Barn
St. James School District 840 $24.9 Million Referendum
The St. James School District 840 implemented a 24.9 million dollar expansion and remodel of 3 buildings in 2017:
- High School Media Center improvements
- New Media Center for the Elementary School
- Security improvements
- Technology improvements
- Added classroom space
- New gym facilities
- Upgraded theatre facilities
- New office space
- Pool upgrades
Gun Range $55,000 Investment
Trap shooting is a growing pastime and a relatively new sport for high school students. Approximately $55,000 has been invested in the range between 2014-2017, with the help of a DNR Grant and private donations.
Private Utilities $1,250,000 Investment
- In 2016, Century Link upgraded over 1 million dollars’ worth of fiber lines in the community.
- In 2016, CenterPoint Energy upgraded over $250,000 dollars’ worth of gas lines in the community.
- Both of these projects were initiated by City street and State Highway projects in the community.
Community Building / Princess Theater $331,000 Investment
Recent investments to the City-owned Community Building and Princess Theater include:
- New equipment and kitchen appliances, including convection oven (2011)
- Digital Movie Equipment upgrade (2012)
- New Access Ramp (2014)
- Flooring and Paint (2016)
Parks and Recreation $368,157 Investment
The City has made many investments in Parks and Recreation in recent years, including:
- Swimming Pool- remodeled the building’s interior in 2013
- Built a new picnic shelter in the Campground in 2013
- In 2014 re-shingled the south shelter and in 2016 built a new north shelter and remodeled the south side complex shelter
- In 2016 built a fish cleaning station by St. James Lake
- Seal coating and overlays on the St. James Area Bike Trail 2014-2017
Fire Department $88,685 Investment
In 2014, the St. James Fire Department built a brand new fire truck garage for additional space.
Municipal Airport $447,000 Investment
City of St. James Municipal Airport
- Comprehensive planning in 2015-2016 for FAA regulations
- LED Lighting on Runway and Taxiway in 2015
Stormwater Project $4,500,000 Investment
In 2017 Stormwater lines were replaced from St. James Lake to St. James Creek. The project included replacement and upgrades of street, sanitary sewer and water infrastructure.
City Utilities $14,257,000 Investment
Many improvements have been recently made to City Utilities:
- Wastewater Department- General improvements including change to biological treatment system to address and eliminate phosphorus (2013)
- Water Department- Raw water lines (2012), new meters (2014), new storage shed (2015)
- Light Department- New electric meters (2014) and a new storage facility (2012)
Water Tower $366,275 Investment
In 2015 the Water Tower received a fresh look with a paint job and necessary maintenance was completed.
WatLine Trail $2,300,000 Investment
In the summer of 2017 Watonwan County invested in the WatLine Bike Trail a total of 2.3 million dollars. The 5 mile trail expansion comes from the west side of the current St. James 4 mile Bike Trail and heads to Long Lake, south of St. James.
Veteran’s Field $500,000 Investment
The St. James baseball field was re-modeled from the ground up in the summer of 2017. People have been very generous in donating approximately $500,000 to make this a field of dreams. Stop by to watch a game on the brand new stadium bleachers and enjoy one of their delicious pork chops!
Water Sports $7,000 Investment
The City of St. James now has water sports available for rent! The kayaks and paddle boards are rented through the City's Outdoor Pool and are used on St. James Lake. This project was driven by and fund-raised for by St. James community members and was completed in the summer of 2017.
Unleashed Dog Park $18,000 Investment
Unleashed Dog Park is just another example of community members banding together to raise money to improve their community. The Dog Park committee raised over $18,000 to make this park a reality. The site is over two acres and is located next to Meadowlark Compost Site on the Northeast edge of town.