Dubow Textile Inc., a custom garment decorator, is expanding its workforce by 20 employees and building a 21,000-square-foot addition at its operations in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The company is investing $1.5 million to expand and modify its current facility at 455 Lincoln Ave. NE. The project will be the company’s third expansion in the last five years.

As an incentive, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development approved the company for a grant of $176,575 from the Job Creation Fund. Dubow will receive the funding once it has completed its investment and hiring commitments.

“Dubow is growing rapidly thanks to its strong commitment to customers and investment in technology,” said DEED Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. “This latest expansion will enable the business to meet current market demand and accommodate future growth.”

According to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development, Owners Rob and Robin Dubow bought Negaard Lettering from a friend in 1991 and renamed the business Dubow Textile Inc. Since then, they have transformed the small embroidery operation that started in a garage into one of the largest custom garment decorators in the Upper Midwest.

Six months after buying the business, the Dubows moved the operation to a 3,500-square-foot production facility, DEED officials said. In May 1994, the company expanded again, building a 22,000-square-foot production and fulfillment facility and increasing its workforce to 60 employees. The company continued growing, adding another 12,500 square feet in 2011 and 6,500 square feet in 2013.

"We are pleased to work with Dubow Textile to assist their recent expansion and continued investment of employment and tax base in St Cloud's east side neighborhood," said St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis.