Gov. Jack Dalrymple applauded Deere & Company's plans to expand its Valley City manufacturing plant and workforce. John Deere officials have announced plans for a $20-million expansion of the company's Valley City plant which manufactures crop seeders and tillage equipment. Company officials said the 100,000-square foot expansion will support additional employment within the next five years.
"This business expansion means more jobs and opportunities for North Dakota," Dalrymple said. "Deere & Company is a global business with many options in selecting its manufacturing locations. The fact that they chose to expand their Valley City plant is a credit to our quality workforce and North Dakota's positive business climate."
In meetings with Deere & Company officials, Dalrymple encouraged company officials to support its growing production demand by expanding in North Dakota. In August, Dalrymple and state Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson also met with the Valley City plant's manager, David Bradford, other John Deere employees and toured the Valley City plant.
In October, Deere & Company completed an expansion of Fargo-based John Deere Electronic Solutions (JDES). The Fargo expansion will strengthen John Deere's global business and create as many as 60 new jobs. JDES has completed construction of a 90,000 square-foot building that provides additional office space for its growing engineering staff, test labs and enable the company to expand its power electronics capabilities. JDES employs more than 1,000 people in Fargo.
Deere & Company is among several manufacturers expanding in North Dakota. Other manufacturing expansions include: Steffes Corp. in Grand Forks, ComDel Innovation in Wahpeton, Harris Machine in Oakes, Bobcat in Bismarck and Summers Manufacturing in Devils Lake.