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Date: Item No.
Spotlight on Business
Dick’s Sanitation, Inc.
Overview
The Spotlight on Business program is designed to recognize new and existing commercial and
industrial businesses in the Lakeville community. The program is also designed to emphasize for
residents, the important tax and employment benefits that business and industry provide to the
community.
In 1966, Dick Clemmer bought a route and one truck from his father’s company, Chet’s Sanitation, and
started Dick’s Sanitation, Inc (DSI). Dick and Mary Ann started out with an office in their home and a
service route that served commercial customers in Richfield, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis and
Bloomington. When the Lakeville dump closed, Dick saw an opportunity for new business locally and
established a larger customer base. In 1972 he purchased an acre of land along County Road 70 and
was one of the first businesses in the Airlake Industrial Park.
In 1985, DSI acquired Lakeville Sanitary, which opened up the residential market for the business. In
2002, DSI constructed and moved into their new office building which they still occupy. In 2011, they
opened a compressed natural gas (CNG) fill station in order to transition their fleet to use CNG. In
2013, DSI purchased the former Drywall Supply building to the east of their existing location and in
2014 opened Recycle Minnesota, which processes 3,000 tons of recyclables each month.
Currently DSI operates on 17 acres in the Airlake Industrial Park; 11 acres for regular operations and 6
acres for Recycle Minnesota. DSI has over 80,000 weekly pickups; serves over 50,000 residential
customers, more than 3,500 commercial customers and service 900 roll-offs per month. They employ
135 full time employees and approximately 20 temporary employees for Recycle Minnesota. Based on
current tax capacity rates, DSI properties contribute nearly $160,000 in property taxes going to the
City, County, and ISD 194 in 2016.
DSI attributes their success to a high level of customer service, a focus on safety, training and
development, being good community stewards, integrity and quality of employees, image, creativity
and diversification and hard work. Dick and Mary Ann Clemmer, owners of DSI along with their
children (Debbie, Tim, Sheri and Diane) will be present to share additional information with the City
Council.
Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y☐ N☐ Source:
Related Documents: (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Envision Lakeville Community Values: Diversified Economic Development
Report Completed by: Rick Howden, Economic Development Specialist
June 20, 2016
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