CALEDONIA, Minn. – Word on the street is that the fire that destroyed the Miken sporting-goods factory may be the final blow for the company’s Caledonia operation. The latest out-of-town owners had wanted to shut down the plant in 2021 and move operations to China. Instead they pared the payroll from 120 to 30. Even scaled down, the plant was one of the largest employers in this southeast Minnesota town of 2,800 people. Jake Dickson, of the Caledonia Economic Development Board, said the Board’s agendas includes discussing possibilties. Two Miken buildings, for administration and for shipping, survived the fire. Representatives from Miken’s parent company have been in and out of town but made no announcement.
Miken office building. One of two surviving buildings at Caledonia operation.