Elk River is a Great Place to Work

The EDA strives to make Elk River a great place to work and do business. This is a growing community that balances natural beauty with welcoming neighbors. The EDA sees the region's potential and offers resources and support to local businesses.

Recently, the City of Elk River received a shout-out when 360 Financial was named one of the Best Places to Work in Minnesota. The Elk River Economic Development Authority (EDA) is incredibly proud of this company for this nomination and thrilled that its leadership and employees create a positive place to work each day.

“We often meet with people who are excited to expand their businesses, launch new projects, or flesh out ideas,” says Josh Mollan, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Elk River. “We get to see the new amenities coming to Elk River and know they will benefit residents.”

Here’s why Elk River is a great place to work and do business. See the opportunity here. 

Businesses Receive Support From Multiple Organizations

The EDA isn’t the only organization supporting businesses in the region. It is simply a first stop for many entrepreneurs and business owners. Companies can work closely with the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and other partners to secure resources and explore funding, networking, and marketing opportunities.

The Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce has been making some exciting changes lately. Not only did it receive the 2025 City Beautification Award, but it is also taking steps to offer programming that is useful and relevant to businesses of all industries in the community. As new businesses join, the opportunities for networking and growth expand. 

Elk River Has a Growing Workforce and Housing to Support It

Elk River has a steadily growing population as people seek access to Minneapolis-St. Paul, without living downtown. While many communities around the Twin Cities are experiencing growth, Elk River is one of the few that can keep up with demand. The city offers several housing resources to help new families settle in.

New construction is also shaping the Elk River community and helping residents become homeowners. A few notable developments in progress include:

• Bradford Park: 418 single-family homes and 120 townhomes
• Meadowsweet Bend: 100 single-family homes
• Oakwater Ridge: 536 single-family homes

It makes sense that more people are choosing Elk River. It is in an unbeatable location on two major highways (10 and 169) for easy access to the metro or farther north into the state. Highway 169 recently completed a reconstruction that removed stoplights and added grade-separated interchanges.

Multiple Industries Are Expanding to Elk River

Elk River is more than a commuter community. Its location supports people who need to get to the Twin Cities, but it also has its own industries and businesses invested in this part of the state.

For example, there is a strong manufacturing presence in Sherburne County, and Elk River is home to more than 60 manufacturing facilities that support a wide range of industries. Elk River has also been known as the “Energy City” since 1997 because of its investment in efficient and renewable energy products.

“The EDA works with businesses throughout the year that bring specialized manufacturing and production to the region,” says Mollan. “We pair these companies with local resources and partners to assist with their growth and staffing needs.”  

The dedication of the EDA means new industries can move and expand in Elk River and have the support they need to thrive. 

Elk River Offers a High Quality of Life

There are many reasons why businesses that expand to Elk River don’t have a hard time finding employees. This community continues to attract residents because of its amenities and connection to nature. Elk River has a charming downtown with shops, restaurants, and services. The dedicated Downtown Elk River Business Association won the 2024-2025 MN Retailers Retail Community of the Year. The association continues to invest in downtown businesses to create events and amenities for residents and visitors.

Elk River also has a top-tier community event center with an ice arena, field house, senior activity center, rentable rooms, café, and 21+ lounge. This arena serves as a regional hub for residents and visitors, where they can attend a variety of events or host gatherings amongst friends or colleagues.

Finally, there are several parks to choose from if you want to get outside and bask in Minnesota’s beauty. A few parks to explore include:

• Orono Park: the signature park of Elk River with a beach, splash pad, lake access, skate park, playground, dog park, and pickleball.
• Woodland Trails Regional Park: a 427-acre park with a nature play area, cross-country skiing, paved and grass trails, archery range, biathlon range, picnic area, and wildlife observation space.
• Mississippi River: multiple parks touch the Mississippi River, with docks for boaters and anglers in Elk River.  

Whether you want to spend the day enjoying art with bird calls around you or prefer a rowdy hockey game, there’s plenty of dining, recreation, and events in Elk River to keep you busy. 

Choose Elk River and Grow With Us

Elk River has a high quality of life and skilled workforce, which is why more people and businesses are moving here. This diverse economic ecosystem attracts more business investment as entrepreneurs open their doors and existing firms expand here. The Elk River EDA is here to support all companies that are ready to make a difference in the community. Reach out today to discuss your vision. We’ll do our best to work alongside you each step of the way.