Economy

Two World Class major manufacturers, Polaris Industries, of Roseau, and Marvin Windows, of Warroad, provide tremendous opportunity for the region.  The jobs at these to companies provide both growth and stability to the Lake of the Woods region. Polaris Industries, founded in Roseau in 1954, holds market share leadership in Snowmobile and ATV production. All Polaris snowmobiles are assembled in Roseau. Additionally, all Polaris's single wide ATV's models and Military vehicles are assembled in the Roseau facility as well. The Roseau facility is also home to all of Polaris' snowmobile research and development, along with portions of its ATV research and development teams. In all, Polaris Industries maintains just under three-quarters of a million square feet of manufacturing, assembly, research & development and administrative space within Roseau employing approximately 1,500 people. Polaris also maintains additional facilities in Huntsville, Alabama (Slingshot & Ranger/RZR assembly); Spirit Lake, Iowa (On-Road Vehicles - Indian Motorcycle); Osceola, Wisconsin (engines and component products); Vermillion, South Dakota (parts distribution warehouse); Monterrey, Mexico (RZR side x side assembly); Wyoming, Minnesota (Product Development and Design); and Medina, Minnesota (Corporate Headquarters) along with additional ancillary facilities across the U.S. and the world.

Marvin Windows & Doors is the world's largest made to order window and door manufacturer. Originally founded in 1906, by George Marvin, as Marvin Lumber and Cedar, the company evolved into today's Window and Door company after George's son, William, joined the team in the late 1930's. Marvin Windows & Doors continues to be headquartered in neighboring Warroad, Minnesota. In addition to its corporate offices, the company has a 40-acre manufacturing facility in Warroad employing nearly 2,000 workers. Marvin also has a cut stock plant in Baker, Oregon; a Marvin Window assembly plant in Grafton, North Dakota; a Marvin Door manufacturing Plant in Ripley, Tennessee; and Integrity and Infinity Window Divisions in Fargo, North Dakota and Roanoke, Virginia.

These two major export industries have brought a tremendous amount of income into the region, providing an excellent base for strong service and retail businesses to spring up throughout the Roseau area.

Career opportunities abound in the Roseau region because of the success of Polaris, Marvin and other smaller businesses. This success can be attributed to the educated, hard-working, and dedicated workforce of the Roseau region.

The City of Roseau and the surrounding region provide prospective employees a wide variety of opportunities for satisfying employment as well as an opportunity to live where you play. The quality of life and employment opportunities of Roseau make it the 20th Best Place to Live in America for outdoor enthusiasts according to Outdoor Living Magazine.

For information on employment openings in the region check out the Job Net for Roseau County on the internet or contact:

CareerForce 
(218) 463-2233

In addition to the success of the regional manufacturers, Roseau continues to be home to a strong agricultural community. The chief agricultural enterprise in the region is the production of small grains and grass seed. Roseau county provides a significant proportion of the turf grasses (rye, bluegrass and timothy) that are marketed in the United States. The diversified land with its ample rainfall and good soil also yields abundant soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, barley, canola, sunflower, and flax crops.

For more agricultural information contact:

Roseau County Extension Office (218) 463-1052

USDA Consolidated Farm Service Agency (218) 463-2452