Dalton-based manufacturer Aura Fabricators Inc. is investing $3.76 million for a new manufacturing facility in Fergus Falls.
The company, which specializes in making ornamental railings, overhead signs, trusses, steel bridge components and other miscellaneous metal products, said it will open the new facility to relieve overcrowding at its Dalton plant and to accommodate additional workers. The company plans to hire 14 new employees at an average wage of $20.50 an hour and to relocate seven to eight current workers to the new site.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is supporting the expansion with a $189,195 grant from the Job Creation Fund. The company will receive the funding once it has met hiring and investment commitments.
“Aura Fabricators has a reputation for making high-quality products and meeting project deadlines,” said DEED Commissioner Shawntera Hardy. “This funding supports the company’s growth plans and will help it to remain competitive nationally.”
Aura Fabricators, which began operating in March 2015, is managed by President and CEO Jasmine Sonmor. The company, which has about 34 employees, serves customers from around the country, including state departments of transportation.
The Job Creation Fund, which was first proposed by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2013, is a pay-for-performance program that provides funding to businesses after they meet certain criteria, including minimum requirements for job creation and private investments. Under the program, businesses must create at least 10 full-time jobs and invest at least $500,000 to be eligible for financial assistance.
Since the Job Creation Fund was launched in January 2014, DEED has awarded $31 million for 66 business expansion projects in Minnesota. Companies have committed to creating 3,908 full-time jobs and investing $675.2 million to expand.
DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit the DEED website or follow us on Twitter.