Polaris Tackles Housing, Worker Shortage In Roseau

ROSEAU (AP) - Snowmobile and ATV maker Polaris Industries hopes to use a new 30-unit apartment building in Roseau to combat shortages of housing and skilled workers.

Polaris has struggled for months to hire for its plant near the Canadian border. The company paid to house workers 80 miles away in Karlstad and shuttle them to work this summer. Karlstad's city clerk says Polaris brought in a dozen skilled workers from its factory in Monterrey, Mexico, on temporary work visas.

The new apartment building is set to open sometime next year. A developer received $325,000 from Minnesota and $460,000 from Roseau to fund part of the project.

The developer says Polaris is "in talks" to have most or all of the apartments to house more Mexican workers.