SUGAR MAPLE CROSSING

By Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures

The pressing need for quality workforce housing in Minnesota has reached a critical juncture. In response to this demand, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV) broke ground today on its third workforce housing development in Hinckley, Minnesota — Sugar Maple Crossing. This development will help alleviate the housing strain in Hinckley and support the local workforce.

Sugar Maple Crossing will have 40 units with 10 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom townhomes, each featuring one or two baths. The development includes a solar array roof, premium finishes, state-of-the-art stainless-steel appliances, centralized laundry facilities, and a versatile meeting room equipped with a kitchenette. The development will also have outdoor community areas, including a community garden, covered picnic shelter, firepit, half-court basketball area, picnic tables and benches, enhanced playground equipment, and a walking trail, elevating the overall quality of life for its residents.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Dustin Goslin, MLCV’s VP of Business and Economic Development, shared that this project is tailored for the middle class. “Sugar Maple Crossing takes care of the ‘Missing Middle’ in housing development,” he shared. “For this development, we opted not to utilize tax credits, which generally target lower-income households, or a market-rate approach, aimed at higher-income bracket households.”

MLCV’s CEO, Joe Nayquonabe, has underscored the necessity of developments like Sugar Maple Crossing, highlighting the all-too-common reality of individuals having to seek housing an hour or more away due to the lack of affordable options nearby.

In Hinckley specifically, the average commuter travels 30- 50 miles for a one-way commute, resulting in approximately ninety minutes in transit daily. This commute not only drains time but also diminishes the quality of life for individuals and families alike.

“Workforce Housing will bring in a lively workforce, help entrepreneurs thrive, keep young families around, and maintain a strong community,” said Nayquonabe.

Sugar Maple Crossing also represents a vital collaboration between local and tribal governmental entities. With support from the Mille Lacs Band, particularly from District III Representative Harry Davis, whose District encompasses the project area, the imperative for quality workforce housing in Hinckley is needed.

“A strong workforce helps area businesses — including the Mille Lacs Band's businesses, which support the ability to provide essential programs and services to tribal members,” said Harry Davis, District III Representative of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. “Affordable housing isn’t just a matter of shelter; it’s crucial for the workforce. There are a lot of individuals that struggle with housing instability due to increased living costs.”

Additional support was also shared from the City of Hinckley, “We are so fortunate that Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures has been able to develop these projects,” said Don Zeman, Mayor of Hinckley. “When you add 40 apartments to the city of Hinckley, that’s a big deal.”

Through projects like Sugar Maple Crossing, MLCV invests in its business communities and supports the workforce to keep each community thriving.