The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Today was the launch of MetroMSP —  a new Web site that offers companies and site selectors instant access to comprehensive and crucial marketplace information about available commercial, industrial and retail sites in the 11-county Minneapolis Saint Paul metro region.

The Web site covers the anchor cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Bloomington, as well as Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties.

The site catalogues and displays more than 5,000 industrial, manufacturing, office, and retail properties. The database includes essential details about each location, including taxes, available utilities, legal descriptions, and photographs.

Each property links to an interactive map that displays important information about the surrounding area, such as highways, airports, railways, lakes and rivers, educational institutions, retail centers, and parks. In addition, existing businesses are mapped by industry, so users can view the local landscape for potential partners, customers and competitors.

Users also can click on links to connect them directly with a selected site's real estate broker or city/county/chamber contact.

Besides profiling specific development sites, MetroMSP.org showcases the region's exceptional quality of life, including its high national rankings in categories ranging from health care to education to cultural amenities.