Fleet Farm in Carver
You may be aware that Fleet Farm has opened their new store in Carver. My guess is that many are amazed at how long it takes to build a new store. You would be even more amazed at how long it really took to get that new store in Carver. We look at a building, and think that is all there is to a new store or business. The reality is that the City Council and staff began working on the steps that led to this new business opening almost ten years ago. At that time we did not know the first store would be Fleet Farm, but we did realize this area would be a good location for commercial development something little Carver lacked.
Ten years ago Carver was not ready for growth much less a Fleet Farm. Drinking water was poor quality and we barely had capacity to meet the needs of the small population. We had wastewater treatment capacity for 4,000 people, but would be near the limit today with Fleet Farm. Our public works, public utilities departments and fire department did not have the facilities to deal with the growth. The City did not have a Comprehensive Plan or an Orderly Annexation Agreement with Dahlgren Township that included the property along 212 west of Jonathan Carver Parkway. We had to begin planning roads, water utility expansion, and sewer expansion, and then we had to start building that infrastructure. We had to work with Dahlgren Township, the County, the State, Fleet Farm and the property owners in the area. We had to negotiate with MNDOT and Chaska to get an exit from 212 on to Jonathan Carver Parkway. The Council and Staff have been working for a long time to get to the point Fleet Farm could start digging. We also cannot forget that the new Fleet Farm and the growth in Carver are primarily due to the new 212 that MNDOT planned and built. Of course all this work and effort was not just for a new Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm is just the first of the new businesses that we will see develop along the 212 corridor from Jonathan Carver Parkway and hwy 43.
So when you visit the new Fleet Farm, please keep in mind there was a lot more involved than just constructing a building. Keep in mind when you hear those talk show hosts and politicians talk about the evils of big government that they do not know what they are talking about. Without the efforts and investment of local and state government Carver County would remain a rural undeveloped region. I’m sure the people employed and shopping at Fleet Farm are grateful for the cooperative efforts of local and state government.
Ten years ago Carver was not ready for growth much less a Fleet Farm. Drinking water was poor quality and we barely had capacity to meet the needs of the small population. We had wastewater treatment capacity for 4,000 people, but would be near the limit today with Fleet Farm. Our public works, public utilities departments and fire department did not have the facilities to deal with the growth. The City did not have a Comprehensive Plan or an Orderly Annexation Agreement with Dahlgren Township that included the property along 212 west of Jonathan Carver Parkway. We had to begin planning roads, water utility expansion, and sewer expansion, and then we had to start building that infrastructure. We had to work with Dahlgren Township, the County, the State, Fleet Farm and the property owners in the area. We had to negotiate with MNDOT and Chaska to get an exit from 212 on to Jonathan Carver Parkway. The Council and Staff have been working for a long time to get to the point Fleet Farm could start digging. We also cannot forget that the new Fleet Farm and the growth in Carver are primarily due to the new 212 that MNDOT planned and built. Of course all this work and effort was not just for a new Fleet Farm. Fleet Farm is just the first of the new businesses that we will see develop along the 212 corridor from Jonathan Carver Parkway and hwy 43.
So when you visit the new Fleet Farm, please keep in mind there was a lot more involved than just constructing a building. Keep in mind when you hear those talk show hosts and politicians talk about the evils of big government that they do not know what they are talking about. Without the efforts and investment of local and state government Carver County would remain a rural undeveloped region. I’m sure the people employed and shopping at Fleet Farm are grateful for the cooperative efforts of local and state government.
