Proto Labs to Begin Work on Rosemount Building Come January

, and work should begin on the location starting in January.

"Our Community Development Department has been working with them on the build-out plans for the building they have acquired. They submitted plans and we expect to have them approved within the next few days," . "The plans include additional mechanical equipment, additional fire suppression, larger break rooms and bathrooms, some new windows and they will be building their initial production lines."

They will begin working on the building in January, Mayor Bill Droste said.

According to Johnson, "They will have full access to the building from the previous owner on Jan. 1 and plan to start right away and be finished by about June 1. We have also approved temporary signage permits for “now hiring” signs, which are welcome signs in our community."

Proto Labs is planning to make the move over the next three years and bring with it about 300 job opportunities. The plastic parts-making company is based out of Maple Plain and was looking for a location far enough from Maple Plain so it could draw upon a new employee base.

"In this economic downturn, this looks like a business that has been able to weather [the recession] and obviously expand during this time,” Community Development Direcor Kim Lindquist previously told Thisweek Newspaper. “We hope this spurs other interest in our business park.” 

Proto Labs is still in its mandated quiet period for its initial public offering (IPO), and is not allowed to comment on its newest endeavor. 

"We will have to wait for the company to comment on their hiring and startup schedules," Johnson said.