By Daniel Borgertpoepping

Faribault Daily News

FARIBAULT — With Jennie-O Turkey Store in Faribault entering into a parking agreement with the city of Faribault, construction for its expansion could begin soon.

And with the variances being approved to address the issues with parking during and after the upcoming construction period, the company is ready to break ground on its expansion project.

The expansion, which will be built on the north side of the current facility, will add over 17,000 square feet to the existing site. In late August, the Faribault City Council had approved two variances and a conditional use permit for Jennie-O to begin construction.

Once completed, Jennie-O, which is owned by Hormel Foods Corp., expects to create 20 to 25 new, skilled positions for the operation and maintenance of the equipment.

With no requests for public funding, Deanna Kuennen, Faribault economic development director, said the company is ready to break ground immediately.

Though the variances have been approved, there was some disagreement among the city council during the meeting in August, and one council has yet to be satisfied.

—Distributed by the Associated Press.