Business growth doesn’t happen by itself.

So planners, Grantsburg Village officials, politicians and business owners teamed up to make it happen.

Monday they cut the ribbon on the new Grantsburg Enterprise Center in the village’s industrial park.

It replaces the old buildings downtown on Pine Street that have been used for the same purpose for years.

The goal: To allow business to grow and expand in a stable facility before building their own facility — hopefully in Grantsburg.

“The Enterprise complex (in the region) has supplied 250 jobs and $11 million in annual payroll and $12- $13 million in private investments,” said Northwest Regional Planning Business Development Specialist Rick Roeser.

“That’s what we like, to see job growth,” said Roeser. “Growth and attracting investments is what the Enterprise system is all about, added Roeser.

“This plant has that new car smell,” laughed Jack Price, Northern Team Leader for the U.S. Department of Commerce - Economic Development Association.

“I’m a believer in this system,” said Price, adding, “Because you’re part of a network and there’s security in numbers.”

Bryce Luchterand, Northern Office Director for Gov. Jim Doyle called Grantsburg, “The little town that could,” and added, “It gets done in Grantsburg.”

Sen. Bob Jauch said, “This is part of an ongoing project to create jobs and keep people working here.”

He praised NWRPC for helping create jobs and said, “Government funds combined with local funds to make a project like this possible.”

The Grantsburg Industrial Development Corporation helped by donating the land. “It’s great to be part of a real positive thing,” said Chairman Gary Nelson.

“It got built,” proclaimed Grantsburg Mayor Mark Dahlberg. “As soon as it gets full we’ll build another one,” said Dahlberg.

Currently there are 6,000 square feet yet to be used. McNally Industries occupies 10,000 square feet and 4,000 are also being used.

“The reason it happens here is because, “Grantsburg gets it,” said Rep. Ann Hraychuck.

“This is a day to highlight what can be done with partnerships,” said Sen. Sheila Harsdorf. “Buildings like this bring in high paying jobs,” she said.

“In times of challenging budgets — things like this are good news,” added Harsdorf.

“We’re working to create a state friendly to business. But nothing happens without people at local levels with a ‘can-do’ attitude,” Harsdorf added.

McNally’s, which has been the cornerstone of Enterprise activity for years, is currently using the new space to overhaul government furnished equipment.

These are systems that support the U. S. Navy. They clean and overhaul parts that are shipped back to the Navy.

“This program will continue to grow,” said Don Erickson of McNally’s. Currently they overhaul and upgrade mortar systems at the new Enterprise Center.

Luchterand looked around and said, “This place is a real shot in the arm.”