Moving from a 2,400-square-foot building to one that is over twice that size is a good sign that an establishment is doing well. When that establishment happens to be a bank, it is also a reflection on the growth of the surrounding community.
The cold and snowy morning of October 12 marked the date of the groundbreaking for the new building of the Ottertail branch of First National Bank of Henning, Ottertail and Battle Lake. The structure planned for the site is an impressive 5,800-square-foot building which the bank is awaiting with anticipation.
The new building will have a stone and stucco exterior, creatively contrasting the pine trees set behind it. Features inside the bank will include a fireplace and a coffee bar and large, vaulted ceilings. There will also be increased room for office space, which is one of the main concerns with the bank's current building.
"Ottertail is on the rise," said Doug Bjorklund, Branch Manager of the Ottertail Bank. "I think it is going to keep growing."
He said how businesses like Thumper Pond have considerably helped to increase growth in the city during the past few years. In order to meet these growing demands of the community, the new building is a necessity for First National Bank.
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Ahlfs Construction has already begun to break ground for the building. Dirt work for the project was started on Oct. 17. Architects for the new bank were from Vanman Architects and Builders based out of Minneapolis.
Location is one of the key features of the new bank, set at the corner of Highway 78 and Highway 108 in Ottertail.
"We really feel this location will be good for accessibility," commented Bjorklund. This new site is just down the road from the bank's current location.
The property at the new site was purchased by the bank over two years ago. Bjorklund said how they were outgrowing their current facility even at that time. He sees the new location as helping them to be even more effective.
One of the things helping to make this move such a success is the support of the community. According to Bjorklund, community members have only approached him with positive comments about the new facility. He said the project also seemed to be well received by the City Council when plans were presented at Council meetings.
Bjorklund announced that, "The plan is to be in the new building by early summer or late spring of 2007."
