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711 E. Wells Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2007
CONTACT: Sarah Van Berkum, 605-773-3301 or John Freeman, Knight & Carver Wind Blade Division, 619-336-4141, ext. 141
Knight & Carver’s South Dakota Facility Begins Production
Full-Service Blade Manufacturing, Repair Underway
PIERRE, S.D. – Knight & Carver officially opened its wind-blade manufacturing and repair facility in Howard, South Dakota.
“Knight & Carver represents a great addition to our business community. It will build on the city of Howard’s efforts to create jobs through wind energy – an industry where South Dakota has great potential,” said Richard Benda, secretary of the Department of Tourism and State Development.
Built on a 7.2 acre site in the Howard Industrial Park, the 26,000 square-foot facility will serve as the company’s prime blade headquarters. The company is expected to employ as many as 25 full-time employees in 2007, with plans to expand to 50 employees within the first two years.
“This is a significant milestone for our company,” said Sampson A. Brown, president/CEO of Knight & Carver. “We are grateful to the many South Dakota and MinerCounty officials who have provided such generous incentives. We’re confident that South Dakota’s workforce and favorable business climate will allow us to provide better service at a lower cost to our current and future customers throughout the Midwest.”
Howard is located in the southeast region of South Dakota, some 100 miles west of Sioux Falls, S.D. The plant’s Industrial Production Manager is Larry Person.
Brown specifically praised the diligent efforts of South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds and his staff, the State of South Dakota’s business development team and Miner County Community Revitalization (MCCR) for their generous support and encouragement through the new-build process. Construction on the project began in August 2006.
“The idea that this project has become a reality is exciting,” said Mike Knutson, economic development coordinator for the MCCR. “It promises to help us attain our mission of creating quality, living-wage jobs from renewable energy sources that will benefit our citizens for years to come. We see this as a perfect fit for our community.”
With economic incentives provided by the State of South Dakota, the Miner County Community Revitalization (MCCR) and Heartland Consumer Power District, Knight & Carver Wind Blade Division leases and operates the facility under terms of a five-year lease.
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About Knight & Carver:
Knight & Carver specializes in the construction and repair of wind-turbine blades, utilized world-wide for cost-efficient renewable energy production. With its corporate headquartered located in San Diego, California, the company has an overall workforce of 200 employees. Knight & Carver also specializes in the repair of large-scale vessels, with an emphasis on international megayachts. The company’s Wind Blade Division was formed in 1999, utilizing the same methods used in composite boat-building with the manufacture and repair of wind-turbine blades
Contact:
John Freeman, Director of Communications
(619) 336-4141, ext. 141
jfreeman@knightandcarver.com
For more information about the emerging wind energy industry in Miner County, please visit http://www.mccr.net/Wind/index.html.