Viracon groundbreaking today at St. George site

Minnesota-based Viracon will officially begin construction of its St. George facility today at groundbreaking ceremonies.

The architectural glass fabricator will have a facility at 1630 E. Park Industrial Drive (4500 South) in the Fort Pierce Industrial Park.

MRW Design Inc. of St. George designed the $25 million facility. Watts Construction, also of St. George, is the general contractor.

The facility will open in April 2007 with about 150 employees. It is expected to be fully operational within three years with 250 to 300 employees.

The company's third and newest plant will be a full-fabrication facility, complete with two insulating glass lines, as well as tempering, laminating, coating and silk-screening production lines. The company's other plants are in Owatonna, Minn., and Statesboro, Ga. Viracon is part of Apogee Enterprises Inc.