APG Specialty Publications 00_LAKEVILLE_MD_19_DIGITAL | Page 13

Positioned to Thrive! COMMUNITY VALUES The Lakeville community has identified our values through an extensive Envision process: • Diversified Economic Development • Good Value for Public Services • Safety throughout the Community • Design that Connects the Community • High Quality Education • A Home for All Ages and Stages of Life F • A Sense of Community and Belonging or a sense of peace, security and a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of easy access to the Metropolitan area, check out Lakeville! • Access to a Multitude of Natural Amenities and Recreational Opportunities Lakeville is proud of our excellent schools, community arts center, parks galore and wide array of recreational activities. These amenities, and more, add to the community spirit and quality of life enjoyed by residents. Lakeville is home to several industrial parks including Airlake Industrial Park, which is the second largest in Minnesota. Lakeville offers three award-winning school districts within its boundaries. The largest is District 194, which accounts for two-thirds of Lakeville’s student population. All three districts are committed to high-quality education that sets the community apart from neighboring cities. Lakeville is delighted with our years of growth and development and celebrates each year with Panorama of Progress, affectionately known to locals as Pan-O- Prog! This week long summer festival began in 1967 and has grown to over 60 events, tournaments, parades and more. Economic Development With a population nearing 64,000, Lakeville is one of the fastest growing cities in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. Lakeville has an active and growing business community with more than 1,146 businesses employing over 17,000. Airlake Industrial Park is home to over 150 manufacturing and industrial business, employing over 3,500. With considerable available land for both new commercial and industrial development, the city is ready to work with new businesses and has taken steps to streamline its development review and approval processes. Our city’s “Open to Business” program provides free technical assistance to meet the needs of small-business owners and offers access to a small business loan fund to help entrepreneurs receive the capital they need to grow their business. www.lakevillechamber.org | 7