KAMP Automation Expands, Strengthens Owatonna's Economic Fabric
Owatonna welcomes KAMP Automation's new expansion, setting the stage for technological innovation and job growth with a significant boost from local and state funds.
KAMP Automation is scripting a new chapter in Owatonna's economic story, moving into a larger 50,000 square-foot facility at the heart of the industrial park. Situated at the intersection of 24th Avenue SW and Lemond Street SW, the company—renowned for its sophisticated custom automation systems—is poised to propel industrial growth while fostering job creation in the community.
With the relocation from Waseca, 23 employees are making the transition alongside the company, which is also opening doors for 25 new prospects to join its ranks. The move bodes well for the city's employment landscape, adding a variety of roles for the local workforce.
The arrival of KAMP Automation was facilitated by strategic financial planning, involving a partnership with the City, which sold the site to KAMP. Ensuring a smoother financial transition, the City has outlined a tax increment financing plan that effectively spreads the cost of the land across nine years. Complementing this arrangement, KAMP Automation was also the beneficiary of significant funding, receiving $175,000 from the Minnesota Invest Fund and a substantial $800,000 boost from the state's Job Creation Fund—a clear testament to the anticipated positive economic impact of the company on Owatonna.
By supporting manufacturing businesses with advanced automation solutions, KAMP Automation strengthens Owatonna's status as an industrial hotbed. As the company settles into its new home, it is well-positioned to weave efficiency and innovation into the local manufacturing tapestry, benefiting not just businesses but the entire community at large.
Ann Porter
Ann Porter is a generative journalist and reporter with a focus on local business and politics.