MINNEAPOLIS
A new website launching today will give businesses one-stop shopping for commercial property in Minnesota.
The free site, www.mnprospector.com , allows users to click into property information, workforce numbers, demographics and community information from every city across the state, in all 87 counties.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which developed the site with the Minnesota Commercial Association of Realtors, said it hopes the site will give Minnesota an edge over other states in attracting companies looking to expand or relocate. The system was developed by GIS Planning Inc. in San Francisco and cost about $85,000 to create, according to DEED.
Looking to lease at least 15,000 square feet of retail space in a shopping center in the 13-county metro area? In a preview Thursday, the site displayed 20 possibilities, including a strip center at 4869 208th St. in Forest Lake. The basics on the building are there, such as lease rates and photos, as well as a series of reports with details including how much the average household in a 10-mile radius from the site spent each year on such things as books and supplies ($236), food away from home ($4,201) or health care supplies and equipment ($1,093). Another view provides a breakdown of the types of businesses, and their estimated sales, within a mile of the site. There are two consumer electronics stores within a mile of that Forest Lake property, for instance.
ADVERTISEMENT
The new site replaces the www.mnpro.com site, which offered less information.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
