Day County Hosts State-Wide Workshop

It was an honor to host one of the four annual Dakota Resources Learning Network gatherings in Day County this week. This training and networking opportunity was around "community engagement."

Executive Director Melissa Waldner worked closely with the Dakota Resources team and local business owners to create a valuable experience for the 25 community leaders that traveled from across South Dakota. A total of 38 joined us for the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol.

Thank you to The Galley Hotel Bar & Grill, Boomers Outback & Motel, Schmidt's Custom Meats, Roslyn Mini Mall, Bristol Sand Volleyball League, Webster Area Career & Technical Education Center, International Vinegar Museum, Jimmy J's Bar & Grill, Capitol Lanes Lounge & Cafe, Bristol Community Center, and First Savings Bank for your hospitality and participation!

Case Studies presented by Mike Knutson, Dakota Resources

Amy Miller sharing about Webster Area's career and technical education expansion

Kelly Hanson sharing about Roslyn's new mini mall and Schmidt's Custom Meats

Brenda Mammenga sharing about Bristol's sand volleyball league

Dakota Resources' Paula Jensen and Kristi Wagner showing how to host a World Cafe event

Samples at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn, SD

Networking at Schmidt's Custom Meats in Roslyn Mini Mall

Vinegar tasting by Mary Wagner at International Vinegar Museum

Souvenirs from International Vinegar Museum

International Vinegar Museum in Roslyn, SD

Social and supper at Jimmy J's Bar & Grill in Roslyn, SD

Powerful Questions session with Joe Bartmann, Dakota Resources

Lunch at Capitol Cafe in Bristol, SD

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable hosted in Bristol Community Center

Northeast Regional Development Roundtable in Bristol, SD

Angie Hammrich of WEB Water presents at the Northeast Regional Development Roundtable

Andover

The board discussed challenges like how to address an overabundance of water and also successes such as a passionate baseball club’s many improvements—new LED lights and electronic scoreboard-- and the number of youth involved from around the area is nearly 40 playing this year.

Save the date for James Valley Threshing Association's annual show on Sept. 5-8 in Andover, and discover the possibilities of this community conveniently located right off Hwy 12!

Webster secures primary laydown yard and office for BSSE project

Webster Area Development Corporation (WADC) is pleased to announce that Webster will play a large part in the 2016-2019 construction of the Big Stone South to Ellendale (BSSE) Transmission Line by Otter Tail Power Company and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.

“This is a great opportunity for Day County,” said Tom Sannes, WADC board president. “The county will receive thousands of dollars in new property tax revenue annually, and the construction will create new job opportunities and boost the local economy.”

The BSSE project’s primary construction “laydown” yard will be located on the 90 acres north of Commerce Lane in Webster Industrial Park. With the help of City of Webster and Webster Scale, WADC recently constructed a new road to provide direct access to SD Hwy-25, which will not only be advantageous for BSSE but also for future development of the industrial park.

 “We are thrilled that Otter Tail Power Company and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. have chosen Webster to host their main laydown yard and offices,” said Melissa Waldner, WADC executive director. “Webster has the perfect location and amenities to accommodate the needs of the BSSE project and its staff.”

In addition, the Lake Region Business Center will host the BSSE field office at 1209 Main Street, Webster, including 3-4 offices and a large meeting area for frequent project meetings. Renovations will be completed by the end of the year.

Construction of the new 345-kV transmission line will include the installation of 753 single-pole structures. The line will cross 162 miles to connect two new substations in Big Stone City, SD, and Ellendale, ND. Right-of-way land preparations began this fall, and construction will ramp up in 2016 for about two years. Planning has been ongoing since 2008 for the transmission line, estimated to cost between $293-370 million.

Webster Scale was recently selected as the successful bidder to construct the main laydown yard in Webster Industrial Park as well as the two smaller laydown yards near Milbank and Frederick. Webster Scale will also serve as the road access contractor throughout the project area.

As owners of the BSSE line, Otter Tail Power Company and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. estimate they will pay Day County between $535,000-755,000 annually for property taxes after purchasing land rights to install 236 structures in rural Day County. The companies will also boost area schools through tax payments.

“The City of Webster welcomes all from the BSSE project to the community!” said Mayor Mike Grosek. “Webster has become busier each year with new businesses and community projects. We are fortunate to add a multi-million dollar project like BSSE to the mix.”

Local businesses that provide lodging, meals, fuel and other consumer goods and services will see an increase in traffic and sales during the construction period due to new workers in town as well as managers visiting for meetings at the Business Center.

WADC will partner with Webster Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Webster to provide welcome guides to all contractors and workers involved in the BSSE project.

“The Webster Area Development Corporation has been proactive on this project,” said Cris Oehler, project spokesperson and Vice President of Public Relations at Otter Tail Power Company. “They understand the value the project will bring to the area and have been advocates for their community and its resources. We appreciate their welcome and assistance, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”

For more information, visit BSSETransmissionLine.com or call 1-888-283-4678.

Webster Experiencing Economic Uptick

"I'll definitely be living in South Dakota sometime soon," said the 20-year-old [Katrina Eszlinger]. "People are so friendly here. I think I'll either be in Webster or maybe Aberdeen. In California, if you try talking to a stranger, they'll yell at you. Here, anyone will talk to anyone." 

Read the full story from Aberdeen American News > 

Anderson Industries expands to Webster

Webster Area Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Anderson Industries, an innovative agricultural manufacturing company, will expand operations to Webster this fall and create 50 new jobs for the area.

“We are glad Kory has chosen to come back to Day County to grow his business,” said Dave Hahler, board vice-president for Webster Area Development Corporation (WADC). “The former Dakota Tube building is the perfect location for Anderson Industries, one with plenty of room to grow.”

WADC has been working with Kory Anderson, a dynamic young leader and entrepreneur originally from Andover, since December 2013.

“Kory Anderson is a brilliant young man of great character with a tremendous sense of vision for business. Kory has a multitude of appreciation and passion for the well-being of his employees, and individuals of his caliber are few and far between. The Webster area is extremely fortunate to have this caliber of individual expand and grow his business in our community,” said Doug Valsvig, Executive Vice President of Dakota Foundry.

Anderson had been encouraged by Valsvig and Josh Bartos to expand in Webster for years, and WADC was pleased to have the two Dakota Foundry leaders involved in the project’s recent success.

“WADC has done a tremendous job and gone above and beyond in attracting Kory Anderson to expand in our community,” said Bartos, Vice President and Operations Manager at Dakota Foundry.

“Both Josh and I extend a heartfelt thanks to Dave Hahler, Tom Sannes, Dan Menking, and Melissa Fose—among others—for their countless hours of effort and hard work on this opportunity. WADC and these individuals need to be commended for seeing this through to fruition. Without them, this would not have been possible,” added Valsvig.

In addition to inventing products that make customers more profitable by making their processes more efficient, Anderson Industries has several products, including: Fuel Horse, Torpedo Hitch, Disc Leveler, Opener, Sprayer Jack, Rip Saw Wheel Loader, and Wheel Loader Grapple.

“We are very excited to be expanding our business into Webster, SD. We are planning to relocate some current employees into the community from our other facilities as well as create around 50 new jobs over the next couple years,” said Anderson. “Webster is a great community with many attractions and we look forward to being a long-term supporter of the growth and development of the community.”

The company has seen tremendous growth since founded by Kory Anderson in 2006 as an on-site heavy equipment repair business operating out of his garage in Andover, at just the age of 22. Two years later, the company began manufacturing foundry patterns and tooling.

Following a 2009 expansion to Aberdeen, Anderson Industries increased work in metal fabrication and production machining, and purchased the product lines of Anderson Machine Company, founded by his father, Kevin Anderson.

Upon the acquisition of a North Dakota manufacturer in 2011, the company headquarters moved to Mapleton, ND.  A third location was added in West Fargo, ND, in 2013 as “The Manufacturing Innovation Center,” dedicated to research and development of new products for Anderson Industries.

Several employees are needed for new Webster facility, including: Manufacturing Engineer, Welders, Tackers, General Labor and Shipping/Receiving Clerk. Training will begin mid-August at the Aberdeen location.

For more information, visit www.Anderson-Industries.com or www.DayCountyJobs.com.

Jobs stay in Webster with local sale of PowderTech Corporation

Stacey Traylor, Clyde Fosheim and Terry Traylor finalized the purchase of PowderTech Corporation in late May, stepping up to become entrepreneurs and keeping 16 jobs in Webster.

“Webster Area Development Corporation, Day County Champion Community and City of Webster support these entrepreneurs as they help Webster retain a local business and jobs, and make positive changes that will benefit the employees and Webster area,” said Melissa Fose, executive director of WADC and DCCC.

The transition has been smooth, with a new name—Glacial Lakes Finishing, Inc.—but no lag in production. All employees reapplied to stay with the business, and several outside applications were also received.

“Both customers and employees have been very receptive and positive during this transition period,” said Stacey Traylor, President of Glacial Lakes Finishing, Inc. “Current business has increased the past few days and customer forecasts are on the rise,” she added.

Glacial Lakes Finishing, Inc. took ownership June 1, starting with one part-time and 12 full-time employees in addition to the three’s management positions. The new owners hope to add 6-8 employees by the end of 2014.

“The new owners are not strangers to the metal finishing business, and most of you know them,” former owner, Ann Brown, wrote in a letter to all PowderTech customers.

The Traylors and Fosheim have a combined 29 years of experience in the powder coating business, with a wide range of skills that complement each other well. The business will offer powder coating, mechanical finishing, conversion coating, remanufacturing and sub-assembly services to its current and new customers in the Midwest.

“Our mission is to become an exceedingly competitive and profitable powder coating company, while developing highly skilled team members, and constantly working to improve quality,” S. Traylor said.