MINOT, N.D.--()--Champion Home Builders, a leading manufacturer of modular homes for residences and buildings for government and commercial applications, in partnership with Genco Bakken Development Group, LLC a North Dakota-based developer of planned communities, has broken ground at Northern Lights, the first master-planned community to be developed in Minot, North Dakota. When completed, Northern Lights will include more than 3,000 much-needed residential units in an area hard hit by flooding in 2011 and challenged to provide housing for the expanding energy industry.
“Minot is quickly becoming an important center for the North American natural energy industry”
The $400 million development is located in the Northwest area of Minot convenient to downtown, Minot International Airport, Minot State University and the Minot Air Force Base. At approximately 323 acres, the development will include affordable single family and town homes, apartments, schools, and commercial zoning for retail and entertainment space.
“The Northern Lights development is an important addition to the community in Minot,” said Joe Genovese, president, Genco Bakken Development Group, LLC. “As owner and developer of the property, it is important to us to create a community that provides affordable, architecturally pleasing, energy efficient housing options and incorporates home, work, commercial and school options into one master planned development. Northern Lights is a game-changer for Minot neighborhoods.”
The first neighborhoods in Northern Lights, Idlewild and Statesboro, will have homes ready by November, 2012. Idlewild will offer 248 single family ranch style and two story homes on 39.2 acres, and Statesboro will be comprised of 250 one and two story town homes on 67 acres. Designs include a mix of three and four bedroom layouts with large master bedrooms, walk-in closets, and a minimum of two full bathrooms. Each home will feature an open floor plan, energy efficient appliances, high efficiency heating systems and insulation, two or three car garages and craftsman style architectural details. The single family homes will range from approximately 1,460 to 2,200 square feet and the town homes will range from 1,350 to 1,500 square feet.
“Minot is quickly becoming an important center for the North American natural energy industry,” said Minot Mayor, Curt Zimbelman. “With the recent growth of the industry, we have seen an influx of temporary and permanent industry employees and their families looking to live and work in our community. With the addition of Northern Lights, Minot will be in a better position to house, educate and entertain our new community members and their families.”
“Our Northern Lights project is an exciting opportunity for Champion Home Builders,” said Jack Lawless, CEO, Champion Home Builders. “To be part of the first master planned development in Minot, and to assist the existing community in its growth and development while it welcomes its newest residents is a tremendous privilege. We believe that the addition of our building process to Northern Lights will provide beautiful, affordable and energy efficient homes.”
Northern Lights is slated for full build out development within four to five years.
About Champion
Troy, Michigan-based Champion Home Builders, Inc. is a leader in factory-built construction which, through its operating subsidiaries, manufactures products at 29 facilities in North America and the United Kingdom and distributes its products through independent retailers, builders and developers. The Champion family of builders produces manufactured and modular homes, as well as modular buildings for government and commercial applications. For more information, please visit:
www.championcommercialstructures.com
About Genco Bakken Development Group, LLC
Genco Bakken Development Group, LLC plans, designs and develops master planned communities in North Dakota with an emphasis on sustainability and community. To date, Genco has invested more than $10 million for infrastructure in North Dakota and has contracted with local firms to perform the work.
Genco is the first developer to build a master-planned community in Minot. The Group is also currently developing communities in Williston and has plans for more communities in Fargo, Jamestown and Bismarck. For more information, visit www.GencoBakkenDevelopment.com or call 701-751-2791.

