WINONA, Minn.—The Winona City Council unanimously approved a business subsidy that doo-dad and memorabilia manufacturer WinCraft sought to help finance 120,000 square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse on the Far East End. The deal, which exempts the company from some property taxes, is like an $810,000 to $1.2 million gift. The city expectation is that WinCraft will generate enough economic activity over the next eight years to make up the difference in city coffers. WinCraft plans to spend $8 million on the new building. John Killen, chief executive at WinCraft, said the expansion represents a commitment by the company’s new owner, Florida-based Fanatics to a Winona presence. “Our business looks to be growing, I’ll say, quite nicely, and I anticipate the growth will continue for several years,” Killen said. “This building will be necessary for us to continue in Winona because we’ve outgrown the building we have here.” Killen sees construction beginning in June and with completion by November.
Wincraft. Largest Winona facility, 1301 Innovation Drive.
Team player. Wincraft’s most lucrative products are licensed goods bearing professional and college team logos.