On the agenda: Grant application to help recruit new business

City News August 21, 2026

At its Aug. 24 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on supporting a state grant to help bring a new business, JonnyPops, with more than 100 jobs to the community.

JonnyPops, based in Elk River, Minnesota, is a food company known for its premium frozen fruit and cream pops made with simple, recognizable ingredients.

The company already does business in Albert Lea through Vortex Cold Storage, a company that grew out of JonnyPops’ need for additional refrigerated and frozen storage as its business expanded.

JonnyPops is considering locations in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota for expansion of operations, including building a facility, implementing new production lines and creating jobs. Cost of construction, equipment and associated financing costs require financial assistance to make the project financially feasible, thus the need for a state incentive called “Forward Fund.”

This fund is a state economic development program designed to help facilitate private investment that supports business attraction, retention and expansion. The fund, with maximum funding of $15 million per application, supports projects that create or retain high-quality jobs, make significant capital investments, and contribute to Minnesota’s long-term economic competitiveness and growth.

If the state approves JonnyPops’ application, then the business would move into final planning stages in late 2026 and early 2027 with an anticipated final decision and start of construction in the summer of 2027.

The proposed resolution identifies several reasons for supporting the project:

Creating an estimated 100 or more new jobs.
Encouraging growth in commerce and industry.
Helping retain operations and investment in Minnesota.
Increasing employment.
Supporting the local and state tax base.
Developing a site already zoned for industrial use.
Using existing city infrastructure and utilities without an anticipated need for significant immediate upgrades.

The resolution also recognizes the role of local economic development efforts, including potential collaboration with the Albert Lea Port Authority, tax increment financing opportunities and other available tax credits, in making the proposed project more feasible.

The city council vote is one part in the process of supporting the company’s state grant application. A council resolution supporting the application does not, by itself, constitute final approval of the proposed expansion or guarantee that the project will locate in Albert Lea.

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