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Gate City Bank building FF branch
Building to be located on Lincoln Ave. at former Exhaust Pros site
Published Friday, September 5, 2008
Gate City Bank will open an office in Fergus Falls next year on the northeast corner of West Lincoln and North Oak.
Construction on the full-service bank is set to begin this month, Gate City officials announced Thursday. When work finishes in the spring of 2009, Gate City Bank will offer checking, savings and loan products for both personal and business banking needs.
The Fargo-based company currently includes 26 banks in North Dakota and two in Moorhead; an Alexandria office is already under construction.
“The reason we’re coming to Fergus Falls is it’s a vibrant community,” said Lance Wolf, executive vice president and director of retail banking. Gate City Bank has already been serving clients in Fergus Falls for some time, he said.
“Gate City Bank has been dedicated to communities in Minnesota and North Dakota for 85 years, and we are committed to investing in communities throughout the region,” Chairman, President and CEO Steve Swiontek said in a statement. “Just as Gate City Bank has experienced tremendous growth throughout the years, we see the growth that Fergus Falls has experienced...Gate City is committed to being a part of the future of Fergus Falls.”
Right now the plan is to have eight new jobs in Fergus Falls, Wolf said. Employment information and applications will be available via Minnesota Job Service and on Gate City’s Web site at www.gatecitybank.com.
The 3,500-square-foot building will include a lobby, teller stations and offices, in addition to three drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM lane. It will sit on the property currently occupied by Java D’s and the old Exhaust Pros building. Harold Stanislawski, director of the Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission, said Java D’s will relocate to another spot in town; negotiations on that property are ongoing.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh joy, another bank.
Posted by Sumwun (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You said it...just what we need, another flippin bank. Well, at least it will much more aesthetically pleasing that the old, dirty Exhaust Pros building; it will help clean that corner up a little bit. This along with the Walgreens will really improve the way those couple of blocks look. Who knows, maybe will help attract another bank to town...then maybe a few more. It's forward progress anyways and will help create a few jobs.
Posted by number6 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I personally am glad to see any new business, bank or otherwise, coming into Fergus Falls. Progress is progres and more importantly, jobs are jobs! The more banks in town, the more posibility of other businesses coming into Fergus as most new companies need loans to start up. Let's also not forget that ALL the banks in town are great at supporting local events and contributing to our local fund raising efforts!
Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bitching about 'another flippin bank' coming to Fergus? WTH is with that? What would you rather have move in there Sumwun? More options, more competition are good things for overall economic development. Any business coming to town is a good thing. As number6 mentioned it's progress in the right direction and the amount of donations that each bank in Fergus provides to civic events is also a major benefit. With Walgreens and this new bank coming that section of Lincoln Ave is receiving a badly needed face-lift. The facade of the building is quite appealing.
Posted by prowler (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This Lance Wolf must be looking at some other town. To call Fergus "vibrant"is just plain uninformed, and to label an increase of around 1,000 people in 40 years "growth". Well, now I am confused.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel this is a step in the right direction for Fergus falls.
hopefully this trend will continue.
eight new jobs is better than no new jobs.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The facade of the building is quite appealing." That made me chuckle.
Let me correct you: the facade of the Basilica of St. Mary _is_ appealing.
The facade of the bank in question is a precast pole-barn stripmall monstrosity. People will be mistaking it for the new walgreens, walking in and asking where to find the pringles and suppositories.
Real architecture is a lost art form. Build em' fast and cheap. It's the american way.
Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lmao watermelon08
dont worry, this bank won't be built because the approved wattage of the lightbulb inside the sign will be debated in the city council for 12.5 years.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
watermelon, you and I have disagreed on many issues but I must agree with you here.
I honestly had to take a second look to make sure this wasn't the current godfathers pizza building or a Granite city restaurant.
either way, it will bring business.
whether you or I approve of it's architectural value, doesn't really mater.
unless you own one of the properties in question?
Jamie Cooper
Posted by Sumwun (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK, Mr Self-promotion. We know who you are,
You dont have
to put your name after throwing
your
two cents in about every stupid little
article on here
Not Jamie Cooper
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sumwun, I'm aware of the anonymous posting privilege.
Jamie Cooper
Posted by FFHSStudent08 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If we keep getting banks like this shouldn't there be enough money floating around in this town to get a few decent stores in the mall? Couldn't we do something to make our town more appealing to businesses other than banks? We should offer no/lower taxes on new businesses willing to come into the city. Wouldn't that encourage growth in our city? I also feel like our city council could do something to help, couldn't they be making meetings with larger companies like Kohls, American Eagle, etc. I mean, couldn't they talk to somebody? That would show the larger businesses that we really would like to see them in our city. But, all just a suggestion...
Posted by cheif (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@FFHSStudent08 - Didn't students a couple years ago do research saying that they were talking to Kohl's about coming to town? What happened with that?
BTW- the Fergus branch looks much nicer than the Alec branch. http://www.fergusforum.com/forum/thread-...
Posted by skyblue (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is about time we get a bank in town that stands behind what they advertise, namely "Free Checking ". I haven't found one bank in town that has "Free Checking" like they advertise. Thats why I don't bank in town.
Posted by E_85 (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am guessing those job are already promised to someone with in gate city bank, so don't get so excited about new jobs. So now were are a county of banks and churches and they both need our money. I could have sworn over the last couple of months banks were closing and people were losing their money.
Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 12:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
watermelon, I'd agree with you on the beauty of the Basilica and all other cathedrals in aesthetics and stone craftsmanship. But the truth behind the 'Indulgences' that were sold to fund their construction throughout history is nothing more then a function of glorifying a few pontiffs preying on the sacrifices of the people's desire for salvation. While producing some amazing architecture, this funding sullies their innate beauty for me. While the Council of Trent did officially abolish the practice in the 1500's, it was nothing more then a wink and a smile to allow it to still occur well into the 20th century. As if the more you give financially could actually secure a place in heaven, that's just absurd to me. Getting far too philosophical now for a Journal article.
My 'facade is quite appealing' comment was more about improving on what is just a ramshackle set of buildings there now. The only building in that area that is a shame to lose is the one that Moore Engineering occupied, it has some great brick work details to it.
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 12:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
at least it is not a another insurance agency
Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 5:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Banks go where there is money. Sharks go where there is blood.Norwegians go where there is free beer.
Posted by fergusfallsmom (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Note to Marketing Dept of Gate City: Free Beer on opening day and the Norwegians will bring their money!
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on September 6, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
skyblue, nearly every bank in Fergus has free checking.
some even pay you to use a debit card.
Posted by skyblue (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not one bank in Fergus Has Totally Free Checking! You either end up paying for your checks or you pay so much per check over a certain number written per month. Start banking with Gate City, you will find out the difference, I DID!
Posted by number6 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
E-85- the article stated that the applications for the projected jobs could be taken at Job Services in Fergus or at the Gate City website, which tells me that the positions are NOT filled already as you were "guessing".
skyblue- I purchase my checks on line, therefore I pay no money at all to the bank for my checking account. I have accounts presently at 2 Fergus banks and they are both definately FREE! If Burger King advertised a free burger, but I opted to purchase fries with that free burger, the burger's still free.
Posted by E_85 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its called "an equal opportunity employer" which means they have to advertise job openings, but do not have to hire from here.
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