Dubow Textile Inc. is expanding its workforce by 20 employees and building a 21,000-square-foot addition at its operations in St. Cloud.
The company is investing $1.5 million to expand and modify its current facility at 455 Lincoln Ave. NE. The project will be the company’s third expansion in the last five years.
The new jobs, paying an average wage of $13.41 an hour, are expected to be filled within three years. The company currently employs about 75 people.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has approved the company for a grant of $176,575 from the Job Creation Fund. Dubow will receive the funding once it has completed its investment and hiring commitments.
“Dubow is growing rapidly thanks to its strong commitment to customers and investment in technology,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. “This latest expansion will enable the business to meet current market demand and accommodate future growth.”
Owners Rob and Robin Dubow bought Negaard Lettering from a friend in 1991 and renamed the business Dubow Textile Inc. Since then, they have transformed the small embroidery operation that started in a garage into one of the largest custom garment decorators in the Upper Midwest.
Six months after buying the business, the Dubows moved the operation to a 3,500 square-foot production facility. In May 1994, the company expanded again, building a 22,000 square-foot production and fulfillment facility and increasing its workforce to 60 employees. The company continued growing, adding another 12,500 square feet in 2011 and 6,500 square feet in 2013.
Dubow Textile had gross sales of nearly $7 million in 2014 and expects sales to increase to more than $10 million in the next two to three years after the latest expansion.
"We are pleased to work with Dubow Textile to assist their recent expansion and continued investment of employment and tax base in St Cloud's east side neighborhood," said St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis.
The Job Creation Fund, which was first proposed by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2013, is a pay-for-performance program that provides funding to businesses after they meet certain criteria, including minimum requirements for job creation and private investments. Under the program, businesses must create at least 10 full-time jobs and invest at least $500,000 to be eligible for financial assistance.
Since the Job Creation Fund was launched in January 2014, DEED has awarded $18.7 million to 35 companies in Minnesota. Those companies have committed to creating 2,125 full-time jobs and plan to invest nearly $373 million to expand.
DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at http://mn.gov/deed . Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/mndeed .