Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. said it has opened a regional office in Rochester to take advantage of the robust southern Minnesota and northern Iowa economies.

Industry veteran Nick Leimer was named as director of operations to head up the new office. It's located at 416 South Broadway.

"This office expansion reflects our increasing activity in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa," said Al Gerhardt, Kraus-Anderson's chief operating officer. "Southern Minnesota boasts a robust economic base including healthcare, education and agriculture. We believe this new base of operations strategically positions us to better serve these and other key market sectors in the region."

KA has already been pretty active in the area.

Recently completed area projects include 318 Commons in downtown Rochester; Beck Academic Hall for Gustavus Adolphus College, Fairmont Area Schools, the Ziegler Cat facility in Mankato and Winona Community Hospital and parking ramp. In addition, KA is currently managing construction of Gundersen Lutheran Hospital's expansion and the new behavioral health facility in La Crosse, Wis.

The firm is also working with three Iowa hospitals: Sioux Center Community Hospital, Spencer Hospital, and Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

KA has other offices in Circle Pines, Bemidji and Duluth, Madison, Wis., Minot, N.D. and Phoenix, Ariz.

Janet Moore covers commercial real estate for the Star Tribune.