Development Update: Wiha Tools on East 7^th Street

Walls are going up on the new 73,000+ square foot Wiha Tools manufacturing building, located along East 7th Street. Wiha, a long-time Monticello manufacturer, expects to open their new location in the summer of 2024. They currently have 57 employees and plan to add 59 jobs at their new facility.

Next week beginning Monday, July 31 construction crews will be closing 7th Street between Wright & Ramsey Streets to conduct utility work for the new facility. Additional information about the closure and related detour can be found on our website.

Project History

On Friday, April 21, 2023 Mayor Lloyd Hilgart and city staff joined Wiha Tools for the groundbreaking of their new location and expansion project located on East 7th Street.

Mayor Hilgart gave a speech congratulating Wiha Tools, saying, “It’s a great day when a Monticello business has not only been successful, but so successful that they’ve outgrown their current location. It’s an even greater day when they break ground on their new location in the same city they’ve had so much success in.”

Mayor Hilgart noted the many job opportunities manufacturers bring to our community and thanked the City’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) and City staff for their hard work in recognizing the importance of our manufacturing industry and assisting local businesses and manufacturers alike.

We’re excited for Wiha Tools for their upcoming expansion and would like to thank them for continuing to call Monticello their home.

New Senior Housing Coming to Monticello

On Monday, Jan. 9 Mayor Hilgart and city staff joined Headwaters Development and CHC (Community Housing Corporation) for the groundbreaking of their new project in Monticello: 60 rental townhomes for seniors 55+ located on 7^th Street West!

The project was initiated by Headwaters Development, and in November 2022 the company asked the Monticello Economic Development Authority (EDA) to approve CHC as a full partner-owner in the development. The development site is located on the easterly portion of a land parcel formerly known as Outlot A, Country Club Manor, at the corner of Golf Course Road and 7th Street West. The EDA has owned this 16.71-acre property for many years.

 The EDA also approved a newly established affordable housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district (No. 1-43). As a requirement, the developer has committed to creating and maintaining 40 percent of the units (24 units) as affordable throughout the life of the TIF District. The total cost of the project is estimated at approximately $20.5 million or $341,667 per unit.

The developer is using a modular style construction method. All building components are measured, fabricated, and assembled in the climate-controlled AVA (Advanced Volumetric Alliance) facility in Albertville, MN. The full building component units will be delivered to the site starting late March 2023 to be placed on the concrete pads. The developer plans to substantially complete construction of the twin home development by December 31, 2023.

The developer of this project also intends to move forward with a 102-unit multi-family housing building exclusively for seniors on the northerly portion of the lot later in 2023.   

We're excited to welcome another housing option for our senior community!