(from news release)
Big news was announced Sept. 30 when it was learned the Sartell City Council has signed a purchase agreement with the Minneapolis-based Niron Magnetics company for 79 acres of public land on the east side of Fourth Avenue S. in the city.
The first several public listening sessions about the land purchase will take place noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Sartell Chamber of Commerce’s State of the City event, which is open to the public. The program will be held at the Waters Church, 1227 Pinecone Road, Sartell. Non-Chamber members can purchase lunch for $5. Those planning to attend can email info@sartellchamber.com to register.
Niron Magnetics is producing the world’s first high-performance, rare earth-free permanent magnets. The Sartell site will serve as the foundation for Niron’s growth as the company scales its operations to meet the increasing demand for these magnets. This new manufacturing plant is expected to bring 175 jobs to the area. Phase I will involve the construction of a 150,000-square-foot facility. Other development phases will follow.
That 79 acres of property was part of the 167-acre Champion Plat acquired by the City of Sartell last year during the purchase of the Mill District. That vacant vast lot was the site of the former paper mill that was shut down after an explosion and fire in 2012.
The purchase agreement kicks off a 180-day due-diligence period between the City of Sartell and Niron Magnetics. During this period, a subsidy agreement will be negotiated, and specific criteria must be met for the property purchase to close.
After evaluating more than 75 potential sites, Sartell was selected as the ideal choice for the company’s first full-scale manufacturing plant, in part due to the city’s focus on creating an attractive environment for businesses and residents.
Permanent magnets are critical components of green technologies such as electric-vehicle motors, wind turbines and energy-efficient consumer electronics. The vast majority of the magnets are produced abroad through volatile supply chains. With this site, Niron and the City of Sartell will help bolster the domestic supply of this key technology while boosting local manufacturing capacity and playing an important role in the transition to a cleaner energy future.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of Sartell,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics. “The community has built a welcoming environment for both our business and our future employees, making it the perfect location for Niron to put down our roots and expand into our next phase.”
Rowntree continued: “Sartell’s investments in creating a livable, sustainable community align perfectly with our values and vision for supporting GreenTech businesses in Minnesota. We look forward to working with our partners in the City of Sartell to usher in the next phase of American clean energy and manufacturing growth.”
To ensure opportunity for community involvement, the City of Sartell will host three listening sessions and one public hearing, providing opportunities for residents to engage with the city council and staff, ask questions and share feedback. A Q&A section will also be available on the city’s website for added transparency and convenience.
If anyone has questions about the purchase agreement, please reach out to Sartell City Administrator Anna Gruber: anna.gruber@sartellmn.com.
Niron Magnetics
Niron Magnetics is the world leader in developing rare earth-free permanent magnets, representing a key technological advancement in green energy solutions, sustainable manufacturing and national defense. Their innovative magnets offer a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional rare earth-based magnets, supporting Sartell’s commitment to sustainability and long-term economic growth.
For more information, visit www.nironmagnetics.com.
