Business Matters: Business is Booming in Brooklyn Park
Firefly Credit Union is the latest business to find a new home north of Highway 610.
“We are the first credit union in the state of Minnesota. Started in 1925,” said Dale Turner, president and CEO of Firefly Credit Union.
Firefly Credit Union moved in search of a more modern space in a new up-and-coming area.
“Everybody says they’re different, but we truly live, we walk and talk it,” Turner said.
The company not only has seen change in its industry, but also has seen change in the area it moved into.
“We’re seeing considerable changes in consumer behavior,” Turner said. “People who have a vested interest in the morality of the financial organization they belong to. That’s critical.”
“Around this area, it just developed so fast,” said Brooklyn Park City Council Member Terry Parks.
Parks says when he first took office four years ago, the city had roughly 25 percent of developable land. Now, Parks says it’s down to about 11 percent. Development north of 610 is a big reason why.
Firefly isn’t the only business that moved here recently. Just last month, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened its fourth Twin Cities location.
The development began taking off a few years ago with places like the Stone Mountain Pet Lodge.
More is expected.
The future Metro Blue Line Extension anticipates more growth and more people.
“Right now we have 80,000 people that live here,” Parks said. “And I don’t think it’s going to be long before we have a 100,000.”
Back at Firefly Credit Union, the focus is on growing relationships with customers, while growing itself.
“Our strategy is fairly simple. We put the consumer first,” Turner said. “We’re seeing year-over-year growth, considerable growth, nearly double digits in our member growth side.”
