The executive director of Go Minnesota has been busy identifying empty business buildings in Faribault County to lure new tenants.

Doug Uhrhammer can cross the J-M Eagle Manufacturing plant in Winnebago off the list.

Shortly after starting his job nearly three months ago, Winnebago officials talked with the development director to see what could be done about the vacant facility.

Uhrhammer says he’s met with local J-M Eagle representatives and was given a full tour of the property.

“They don’t want to sell. They aren’t the least bit interested. I was told the owners have gobs of money and don’t need to sell the building,” Uhrhammer says.

When J-M Eagle closed its doors in April 2007, about 45 workers lost their jobs.

Today, there are still three employees who report for work every day.

Larry Sickler, who was plant manager when there were nearly 60 workers in 2006, says a shipping and maintenance supervisor help him with the daily operations.

Sickler says no one from company headquarters has contacted him regarding the facility’s future.

“I’m not sure what their plans are. You’d think if they are going to sell it they would put up a ‘For sale’ sign in front,” he says. “I haven’t been called to work with a realtor or anything.”

Initially, there was quite a bit of interest in the 30,000-square foot building. Some of the inquiries even included potential buyers outside the country.

For more of this story, see this week’s Register.