Why New Ulm?

New Ulm is home to industries such as manufacturing, education, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses.  Our economic engine provides quality jobs, retail shopping, professional services, hospitality, dining, and recreational experiences. This website highlights business opportunities in New Ulm, contact details for city staff, and information on incentives to help your business succeed.

We are committed to these goals:

1. Assisting and attracting businesses
2. Developing a skilled and engaged workforce
3. Providing a community that people want to call home

Available Utilities

New Ulm offers municipal utilities including electric, natural gas, steam, water, and wastewater. Telecom services are offered through private companies including landline and wireless telephone, and high-speed internet.

Education and Training Resources

Career and Technical Education Center

New Ulm Public Schools is planning to open a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center during the 2021-2022 school year.  

The CTE Center will:

• Provide students in high school exposure and access to the many Career and Technical Education (CTE) careers available in our region
• Allow students to earn credentials/certifications before leaving high school
• Provide adults a location to recertify/retrain, or gain technical skills in a particular trade or technical career

Planned Programs:

• Welding
• Manufacturing/Fabrication – Wood, Metal, Plastic
• Trades – Construction, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical
• Small Gas Engines
• Automotive (autobody and mechanic)
• Mechatronics/Engineering
• Business Development/Eagle Enterprise

Big Ideas

Big Ideas is a non-profit organization.  Their mission is to provide opportunities for people to discover, explore, and learn technical and soft skills needed to succeed in skilled trades.

Other Costs

Building Permit Fees

Commercial Building Permit Fees (based on project cost)

$50,001 - $100,000                 $643.75 for 1^st $50,000, plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000

$100,001 - $500,000               $993.75 for 1^st $100,000, plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000

$500,001 - $1,000,000            $3,233.75 for 1^st $500,000, plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000       

$1,000,001 & Over                 $5,608.75 for 1^st $1,000,000 plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000

Plan Review Fee

Not all projects require a plan review. The need for a plan review is determined on a per project basis. Charge rate is based on 65% of building permit fee not including state surcharge. 

State Surcharge (on all permits):      

$1,000 - $999,999                   Project cost x .0005

$1,000,000 - $2,000,000         Project cost x .0004

$2,000,000 - $3,000,000         Project cost x .0003

$3,000,000 - $4,000,000         Project cost x .0002

$4,000,000 - $5,000,000         Project cost x .0001

$5,000,000 & Over                 Project cost x .00005

Building Permit Fee + Plan Review Fee + State Surcharge = TOTAL BUILDING PERMIT FEE

This is not a complete list.   Other charges may apply. For more accurate permit costs please contact the Department of Building Safety at (507) 359-8245.

Commercial and Industrial Utility Rates

Small Commercial Utility Rates

• Electric $16.00/month + $.1040 per kWh
  1. No current demand charges
• Natural Gas $10.00/month + $0.7889 per ccf
• Steam $6.00/month + $12.47 per M lb
• Water $3.40 per 1,000 gal. (up to 9,000 gal.) $3.74 per 1,000 gal. over 9,000 gal.
• Wastewater $6.75/month + $4.22 per 1,000 gal.

Large Commercial Utility Rates

• Electric $30.00/month + $.0775 per kWh
  1. Demand charges $8.60 per kW
• Natural Gas $26.00/month + $0.7661 per ccf
• Steam $10.00/month + $12.31 per M lb
• Water $3.40 per 1,000 gal (up to 100,000 gal.) $3.74 per 1,000 gal. over 100,000 gal.
• Wastewater $6.75/month + $4.22 per 1,000 gal.

Industrial Utility Rates

• Electric $50.00/month + .0650 per kWh + $12.10 per kW per month
  1. Demand charges $12.10 per kW
• Natural Gas $67.60/month + $0.6651
• Steam $15.00/month + $10.68 per M lb
• Water $2.98 per 1,000 gal. (up to 556,000 gal.) $3.14 per 1,000 gal. over 556,000 gal.
• Wastewater $6.75/month
  1. Flow Rate $1.72 per 1,000 gal.
  2. BOD Rate $0.26 per lb.
  3. TSS Rate $0.19 per lb.
  4. Phosphorus Rate $4.11 per lb.

This is not a complete list. Other charges may apply. Commercial and industrial utility rebates are available.   For more accurate costs please contact Public Utilities at (507) 233-2121 ext. 401.

Major Employers

Source: New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce