[0:01] Farmington is on the move. Across our city, something special is happening. From downtown [0:07] storefronts to industrial parks, from innovative startups to long-standing family-owned shops, [0:13] our community is alive with energy, ideas, and ambition. This is more than growth. It's [0:20] a movement powered by people who believe in Farmington's potential and are bold enough to [0:25] build it together. In the next few minutes, you'll meet some of the business owners, [0:30] visionaries, and everyday change makers who believe in our community and are driving that [0:36] momentum forward. Their stories are not only inspiring, they're proof that Farmington isn't [0:42] waiting for opportunity to knock. We're opening doors, taking leaps, and creating something [0:48] remarkable. This is just the beginning. Let's take a closer look at the spirit of progress [0:54] that's redefining what's possible right here in Farmington. Aerospace Fabrication and Materials [1:01] uh was formed 25 years ago uh just last August and we've been in Farmington now 20 years. Uh we [1:09] originally moved into the area because one of the things we were looking for was a place to grow. [1:16] We just could see the potential in the uh in the community both in expansion here at our site as [1:24] well as the people in the community coming to work with us and for us. Uh Kemp is a Minnesota [1:31] company. Uh it's headquartered in St. Louis Park. Been here since 1914. Today in Farmington, [1:37] Kemps makes all of our cultured products that you can find in retail stores here. [1:42] Uh that includes Kemp's cottage cheese, uh which is extremely popular right now, sour cream, [1:48] and a product you might have heard of called Top the Tater. It's a Minnesota institution. Uh and [1:53] this is the only plant in the United States that makes Top the Tater. You know, when I was looking [2:00] for a place to purchase, the city was so helpful and me finding a spot. I walked across the street, [2:08] introduced myself, they set up a meeting with me instantly. Um, you know, within that week, right? [2:14] And I met with like a group of people from the city and it made me feel really like important and [2:20] that I mattered and that they wanted my business here. So, that really solidified um, you know, [2:27] this being the place where I wanted to really be. you know, Yellow Tree, we we started as a [2:32] kind of urban infill developer in Minneapolis and uh really started branching out. You know, we're [2:37] looking for a cities that are wanting new housing and open to developers coming into the community [2:42] and being a partner with us. So, that's what we loved about Farmington the city is that it felt [2:47] like a true partnership. Barriers can be a lot to development and when you can find a city that's [2:53] willing and able and and part want to partner up on the development like this, it it's it's a [2:58] great process. Dakota County Technical College and Inver Hills Community College have been longtime [3:03] partners with the city of Farmington. Currently, we have over 460 Farmington High School students [3:09] who are attending one of our two institutions. Over a hundred of those are are high school [3:14] students who are earning early college credit. And what's exciting is we have this opportunity [3:19] to continue to build out concurrent enrollment opportunities with our high school partners, uh, [3:24] creating more access to college for for Farmington students. Well, when we approached the city of [3:29] Farmington to talk about bringing Emery, uh, we talked about how positive it could be to bring [3:34] that to downtown. Uh, bringing something new, bringing some new life, engagement, activity to an [3:41] important main street in downtown. In the city of Farmington, they were truly instrumental in this [3:46] whole process. All along there was engagement and positivity towards our shared goal and what this [3:53] project could mean for the city. and they really pushed that along and and saw that vision and [3:57] everybody was aligned along the way that helped make this happen. I mean, you walk downtown, [4:02] people know you and I think that's really important. What's important to Kemps and DFA, [4:07] Dairy Farmers of America, our owners are a lot of the folks that work here, their kids go to these [4:11] schools and uh you know, so we're trying to be as supportive of the community in many different ways [4:16] as we can and it's very easy in Farmington. What you just heard is only a glimpse of the [4:21] spirit and momentum pulsing through Farmington. These stories reflect a powerful truth. New and [4:26] longtime businesses alike are thriving, growing, and redefining what's possible right here in our [4:32] city. And that energy, it's contagious. Here in Farmington, we don't wait for the future [4:37] to happen. We shape it. We take pride in being unexpectedly bold in pushing boundaries, lifting [4:43] each other up, and turning big ideas into real results. But the real engine behind our success [4:48] isn't just strategy or infrastructure. It's you. It's our passionate business owners, our dedicated [4:54] workers, our fearless community leaders, and every resident who believes that Farmington can be more [5:00] and is more every single day. We face challenges, yes, but we've met them with courage, creativity, [5:07] and collaboration, and now we're stepping into the future with more momentum than ever. Thank you [5:13] for your vision and your support. Thank you for your hustle and for being the soul of this city. [5:19] The state of our city. It's not just strong, it's bold, bright, and just getting started.