Vortex Cold Storage, providing temperature-controlled warehousing and supply chain solutions to the Midwest food and beverage industry, broke ground on its 173,400-square-foot cold storage facility in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

The temperature-controlled building will provide 34,888 pallet positions, four cells ranging from 40 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and offer customizable warehouse services. Upon completion, the Safe Quality Food certified facility will serve as the company’s corporate headquarters and feature 40’ top-of-product storage height and 12 docks operating at 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Vortex Cold Storage was born with a need to ease pressure in the Southern Minnesota area for last-mile delivery centers and improve its aging frozen supply chain,” explained Tom Brust, co-founder of Vortex Cold Storage. “Albert Lea offers easy access to Interstates 90 and 35 and allows us to address the full-to-capacity frozen supply chain in the region. We’re proud to call Albert Lea our new home and, by doing so, provide a state-of-the-art cold storage solution for the food industry.”

The facility is supported by the City of Albert Lea, offering Tax Increment Financing for nine years, tax abatement for six years, and land cost reduction.

“Vortex Cold Storage meets an industry need and will create 26 new jobs,” shared Albert Lea mayor Vern Rasmussen, Jr. “Our incentive package demonstrates that Albert Lea is committed to economic growth and Vortex’s vast scope made it a natural fit for our community.”

WDS Construction, a Beaver Dam, Wisconsin-based general contractor serving 48 states with construction management and development services, will serve as general contractor for the project. Joining the founders of Vortex for the ground-breaking ceremony were members from the City of Albert Lea, Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services, JCW Development, WDS Construction, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and EsseX Capital.

About Vortex Cold Storage
Established in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Vortex Cold Storage provides Safe Quality Food certified, temperature-controlled storage and fully customizable warehouse services to the Midwest food and beverage supply chain and logistics market. 

About WDS Construction
WDS Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor with offices in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and Dallas, Texas. Founded by fourth-generation contractor Ben Westra, WDS is licensed to build in the lower 48 states and serves the cold storage, commercial, educational, food, hospitality, industrial, medical and retail markets.