Luke Hellier, Mayor, City of Lakeville

In an interview with Invest:, Luke Hellier, mayor of the city of Lakeville, discussed recent growth, economic development, and future priorities, covering key milestones, industrial expansion, and public safety initiatives. “Infrastructure management is an ongoing challenge, but we’re committed to keeping up with the city’s needs. It’s just a matter of time and careful planning,” he said.

What have been some of the key highlights or major milestones for Lakeville over the past 12 months?

We continue to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. Between 2020 and 2023, we added nearly 3,500 residents, more than any other city in the state — even Minneapolis. That’s a significant amount of growth. On the residential side, we had strong expansion last year, with around 500 new townhomes and single-family homes built.

Additionally, our ninth elementary school opened last year, bringing our school district total to nine elementary schools, two high schools, and three junior highs. We’ve seen growth in that area as well.

We also reopened a major park project on one of our lakes, which had been under construction for over a year. It officially opened in May, and in just the first year, we booked about 400 events at the new facilities, which speaks to the demand.

On the industrial side, we welcomed the North American facility of Sweet Harvest, an international company that imports and exports around 90 million pounds of honey annually. Their facility opened last summer, and we’re still seeing strong investment in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. There’s also plenty of opportunity for further expansion in that area.

What are your immediate priorities for Lakeville?

One of our main priorities is expanding our industrial park. Ours is one of the largest and most robust in the region, and we have the opportunity to annex some land from a neighboring township. In Minnesota, cities adjacent to townships can incorporate land to support expansion, and some landowners have already reached out to us. We’re hopeful that we can move forward with that.

We’ve also seen some federal investment in our local freight rail company, Progressive Rail. They received a $40 million grant to upgrade their infrastructure, which could attract more businesses that rely on rail transport to move goods efficiently.

What are the main industries or sectors driving growth, and where do you see the greatest opportunities?

Over the past three years, we’ve seen significant investment in healthcare, with several new clinics opening. This has brought many new jobs to the area.

We’ve also had promising discussions with data center developers. Our location is well-suited for industrial sites, allowing us to avoid some of the challenges our neighboring cities face when trying to build data centers in commercial or residential areas. We believe this gives us a competitive advantage, along with our strong access to water and electricity, which are both crucial for data center operations.

Beyond that, we continue to see investment in high-tech and advanced manufacturing. We emphasize that we have a skilled, educated workforce, making Lakeville an attractive location for companies in that sector.

How does the city government work with county and state officials to promote economic growth, attract investment, and advocate for Lakeville’s interests?

We have strong partnerships with county and state officials and maintain close working relationships with them. Since we’re located in Dakota County, many investment opportunities are countywide, and we collaborate to determine which city is the best fit for specific projects.

We’ve also successfully worked with state lawmakers to secure infrastructure funding, particularly for road improvements. Upgrading our road network makes it easier for residents and businesses to move around efficiently.

Additionally, we collaborate with organizations like Greater MSP when there are regional economic development opportunities. Many large-scale investments come from outside the state, so we often team up with other cities to present a unified pitch and determine if Lakeville is the right fit. Our economic development staff actively works on these efforts every day to ensure we remain a desirable place for investment.

How do you maintain Lakeville’s strong sense of community while embracing expansion and new industries?

That’s a top priority for me. A lot of it comes down to strong community partnerships. We have a great relationship with our Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations, and we communicate regularly to keep everyone informed about upcoming developments and investments.

We also place a strong emphasis on community events and programming. Our Parks Department is active, and we offer a variety of adult education programs and youth athletics. For example, this summer, we’re opening a new baseball stadium for high school and college-age players. Local businesses have invested in the stadium and the team, which is great to see.

Ultimately, our goal is to encourage ongoing interaction between the business community and our residents, ensuring that growth benefits everyone.

How is the city working to enhance amenities, services, and overall quality of life?

We’re nearing the completion of a major $38 million investment in our parks system. About two-thirds of that funding has already been allocated to projects, with the final phase set to open this year. One major development is our largest city park, which will include a new baseball stadium, a splash pad, an adaptive playground for all abilities, soccer fields, and the first-ever dedicated cricket pitch in the Twin Cities. Our large Indian community advocated for this, and we made adjustments based on their feedback, demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity.

On the public safety front, we’re transitioning from a fully volunteer fire department to a hybrid system, which will include both paid on-call and full-time firefighters. We’re hiring 15 full-time firefighters this year, which will require the construction of a new fire station.

How is Lakeville fostering a vibrant community experience?

We’ve made significant investments in the arts. About 20 years ago, we repurposed an old church into an arts center. Last year, we expanded by acquiring the adjacent former elementary school and converting it into a fine arts facility. This allowed us to increase class offerings and rehearsal space, leading to an 80% rise in participation.

We also host a summer concert series at Casperson Park, which overlooks the lake. Every Wednesday, we bring in live music acts, along with food and beverage vendors.

Are there any other major upcoming projects or infrastructure developments you would highlight?

On the public safety side, we’re finalizing the design of a new fire station, which will replace an existing one. We’re also building a public safety training center for police, fire, and EMT personnel. We’re partnering with Inver Hills Community College to centralize law enforcement training there, along with 18 other agencies.

Additionally, we’re leading a major bridge replacement project on I-35W, a critical freeway connecting Minneapolis to the rest of the Midwest. This will alleviate congestion and improve access for truck traffic.

We’re also collaborating with our local rail company to expand rail storage and upgrade infrastructure to attract new businesses that rely on freight transport.

What are the biggest challenges facing Lakeville, whether in terms of housing, workforce development, or infrastructure?

Housing remains a challenge, both in terms of supply and where to build it. With our rapid growth, we need to ensure we have enough schools and services to support new residents. We’re exploring partnerships with the county to develop senior housing, as there’s a high demand.

Infrastructure management is an ongoing challenge, but we’re committed to keeping up with the city’s needs. It’s just a matter of time and careful planning.