Eden Valley, MN

Manufacturing Momentum: The Engine of Growth

A Town That Offers a Quiet Lifestyle and Everything a Resident Could Want

Eden Valley isn’t trying to reinvent itself — it’s refining what already works. Today, the energy in Eden Valley carries a new confidence — focused, practical, and quietly ambitious. The town’s foundation of care and connection hasn’t changed; what has evolved is how deliberately those values now guide local projects, business growth, and civic renewal.

“We are a town of 1,072 people,” says Brent Bengtson, Mayor of Eden Valley. “We have a tranquil community, and it is incredibly neighborly. People look out for one another. That is one of the best things about living here. Neighbors help neighbors and care for each other.”

That deep-rooted sense of belonging continues to draw people back. “We have an aging population, and we are also seeing young people move home,” Mayor Bengtson adds. “They’re coming from larger cities, bringing new energy and ideas. Some are even stepping into local government. It shows how engaged our residents are — and how much they want to see this community thrive.”

Main Street Renewal Plan

Eden Valley’s central corridor tells the story of many rural towns that have watched big-box retail and online shopping draw routine purchases away from local storefronts. Rather than dwelling on what has been lost, city leaders are focused on creating beauty, vibrancy, and opportunity right where they stand.

“We are working on a beautification effort,” Mayor Bengtson says. “We want to help property owners refresh facades. That can mean paint, repairs to brick, or updated signs. We are designing a matching program so that the cost of materials is not a barrier.”

Curb appeal matters because first impressions matter. “When people drive through town, they notice whether a main street is cared for,” Mayor Bengtson says. “A well-maintained block sends a message of pride and vitality. Even if there are fewer storefronts than there were decades ago, the feeling of a welcoming place invites people to stop.”

Alongside paint and brickwork, the city is open to small-scale commerce that fits the season and the times. “We have a building owner who is leasing microspaces for pop-up shops,” Mayor Bengtson says. “It gives makers and small vendors a chance to try retail in the winter months and helps fill empty windows. It also draws visitors who may not have planned to turn off the highway.”

Connecting People, Places, and Purpose

Eden Valley’s focus has shifted from restoring buildings to strengthening the spaces between them, the routes where community life unfolds. The city is collaborating with neighboring towns and regional partners to develop a trail network that connects parks, neighborhoods, and downtown destinations.

“There is a new committee forming to look at a regional trail system with Watkins and Paynesville,” Bengtson says. “We want safe places to walk and bike in warm months and room for snowmobiles and other winter users when the season changes. We already have a park on the south edge of town that connects to an old trail that runs north and south. The idea is to bring the routes into town so they point people to our restaurants, shops, and services.”

The goal is both practical and symbolic. Trails give residents a car-free option for recreation or errands — and they quite literally connect people to the heart of town. “It’s another way to build connection,” Mayor Bengtson adds. “When people can move easily through town, they participate more in what’s happening.”

Manufacturing Success Story

One of Eden Valley’s most compelling growth stories comes from a manufacturer that didn’t just expand here — it’s building its future here. Plymouth Industries, a family of companies headquartered near Minneapolis, opened its Eden Valley site in 2023 and quickly found a second home.

“Our oldest company goes back to 1959,” says Lance Hartmannn, CEO of Plymouth Industries. “A few years ago, we needed to expand. We set our sights on a location within about an hour of our headquarters, allowing us to share management resources. Eden Valley matched that need.”

The decision quickly became about more than logistics. “From our first meeting with the City Council, we could tell the community is special,” Hartmann says. “People asked how they could help us succeed. You can see the pride in the town just by driving through. It feels like a good place with good people.”

For employees, the move has been transformative. “We had staff who were driving more than an hour to our headquarters,” Hartmann explains. “Eden Valley gave them a chance to work closer to home. We launched the site with six people from headquarters, and now we’re at about twenty-two. Many are local. They want to stop commuting and build something right here.”

The company maintains an open, ongoing dialogue with the city. “Brent and I keep a regular conversation,” Hartmann says. “I ask how we’re showing up, and we get honest feedback. That helps us be the kind of neighbor we want to be. And in turn, the community helps us find great people. It’s mostly word of mouth — and it works.”

Automation and Ambition

Plymouth Industries’ success in Eden Valley exceeded even its own expectations. “We didn’t anticipate how quickly we would fill the space,” Hartmann says. “We’re now looking for the next opportunity — and we’d like that to be right here in Eden Valley.”

As the company integrates more automation into its production lines, it plans to anchor that progress locally. “We manufacture some products tens of thousands of times a year,” Hartmann says. “We’re automating that process and plan to deploy the technology here. It’s the right workforce and the right support network.”

The city is already preparing to make that growth possible. “When a business like Plymouth Industries grows, it helps the entire community,” Mayor Bengtson says. “We’re working with Lance to identify expansion sites and ensure our infrastructure can handle the next phase.”

Ten Years of Steady Investment

Eden Valley’s infrastructure renewal has been steady and strategic, a continuation of work that began a decade ago.

“When I became mayor ten years ago, one of our first goals was to update water, sewer, and storm systems,” Mayor Bengtson says. “Some lines were more than fifty years old. We didn’t encounter lead pipe issues, but the materials were aging. That meant more repairs and more cost every year.”

After modernizing major sections of its network, the city is now looking ahead. “We’re engineering designs that will allow us to extend services past our current limits,” Mayor Bengtson explains. “That includes lift stations and other updates that will support new housing and business development. It’s the groundwork for growth.”

Strategic planning is key. “We look one year, five years, and fifteen years ahead,” he says. “For a small town, that discipline matters. It’s how you build for the future without burdening residents.”

Housing for Every Chapter

Eden Valley is also addressing housing in a way that supports every stage of life — from first-time buyers to retirees.

“Recently, a local partner acquired property in a multifamily zone,” Mayor Bengtson says. “He’s exploring new townhomes and apartments to expand rental options. Another developer who built a large apartment community here is considering a second building on that site or developing new land inside city limits.”

The city’s goal is to keep long-time residents close while opening doors for new families. “We have older residents who want single-level living,” Mayor Bengtson says. “If we can offer that, they can stay in town — and their larger homes become available for younger families. It keeps the housing conveyor belt moving.”

Proactive Partnerships

Eden Valley’s economic strategy combines preparation with proactivity.

“We stay in touch with Mid Minnesota Development Corporation, Meeker County Development Corporation, and the Stearns County economic team,” Mayor Bengtson says. “When we hear that a business is exploring options, we make contact right away. We ask about your goals, timelines, and what we can do to assist you. Sometimes it’s about a site, sometimes it’s about utilities. The point is to move from interest to action.”

That responsiveness helped attract Plymouth Industries — and continues to shape the city’s approach to housing and downtown development.

High-Speed Connectivity

High-speed internet has become one of Eden Valley’s defining assets, a critical step toward ensuring the town is not only livable but also future-ready.

“A few years ago, a local electric cooperative entered the broadband market,” Mayor Bengtson says. “They surveyed residents, approached us, and then built fiber through major corridors. The company is Vibrant Broadband. They serve homes and businesses. We also have service from our local telephone company. That gives Eden Valley two providers.”

For residents and employers alike, reliable internet now ranks alongside water and power as an essential utility. It enables remote work, supports automation, and keeps Eden Valley competitive — even against much larger cities.

Steady Momentum: Building on Recent Success

“Our last two years in Eden Valley have been a pleasure,” Hartmann says. “We’ve found great people and built a great culture. That’s why we want to do more here. We’ll keep looking for the right site in town and bring new technology with us.”

Mayor Bengtson agrees that the best work lies ahead. “The next eighteen months will be busy,” he says. “We’ll launch the next infrastructure project, continue our downtown façade program, and keep collaborating with business and development partners. It’s all about steady progress and staying connected.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Eden Valley, Minnesota

What: A small, close-knit community with a friendly atmosphere, rooted in agriculture and laid-back outdoor living.

Where: A city located in Meeker and Stearns counties in central Minnesota.

Website: ci.edenvalley.mn.us