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Governor’s Office of Economic Development
711 E. Wells Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2007
CONTACT: Sarah Van Berkum, 605-773-3301
PIERRE, S.D. – Accurpress, an international leader in the manufacture of heavy-duty hydraulic press brakes and sheers, is expanding its manufacturing capability in Rapid City, S.D.
A ribbon cutting to celebrate Accurpress’s expansion is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 at 450 Concourse Drive, Rapid City.
“We’re excited to have Accurpress expand in South Dakota,” said Gov. Mike Rounds. “Accupress has proven to be a quality employer. Rapid City and all of South Dakota look forward to seeing its continued success in our state. This marks even more progress on the state’s 2010 Initiative goal of increasing our gross state product by 10 billion dollars.”
Accurpress first expanded to South Dakota in 1991 with a manufacturing facility in Aberdeen. The company moved its headquarters from Canada to Rapid City in 2001, and will now invest in South Dakota again with the purchase of a 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility in the Rushmore Business Park owned by the Rapid City Economic Development Foundation. Accurpress is currently retrofitting the new facility to accommodate its growth plans and will eventually employ 80 people there.
The search for the new manufacturing facility included all of North America before Rapid City was finally chosen. “South Dakota’s incredible business environment and skilled labor pool really clenched the deal for us,” said Steve Hilton, Accurpress president. “Both the city and state proved that this was the best place for us to reach our business goals.”
Rapid City's ability to respond to and capture this opportunity was in part due to programs developed through the city’s 2012 economic development program.
“This is the kind of project that provides quality jobs to the people of the Black Hills and identifies Rapid City as a viable place in which to do business nationally and internationally. Heavy manufacturing jobs play an important role in job development and diversification of the region's economy,” said Bob DeMersseman, president of the Rapid City Area Economic Partnership. The Partnership and Foundation worked closely with Mr. Hilton and Accurpress to assist in this major development.
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