FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 20, 2005      

CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301                                                                       

Steck Wholesale Foods, Inc. Cuts Ribbon on New Facility

Pierre, SD – State, company and city personnel officially welcomed Steck Wholesale Foods, Inc., to North Sioux City on Friday, May 20, 2005. The company opened in North Sioux City in August 2004, but is officially cutting the ribbon on its new location. 

Steck Wholesale Foods is a commercial wholesale baker. It produces English muffins for warehousing divisions, retailer and the food service industry.

“The opening of this company in North Sioux City is right on track with the growth in business start-ups and incorporations that South Dakota has seen in the last few years. Since 2002, our state has experienced a 51 percent increase in business start-ups,” said Jafar Karim, director, Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Karim said the focus on entrepreneurs is consistent with the goals of the state’s 2010 Initiative. “Governor Rounds is committed to helping entrepreneurs start their businesses in South Dakota. We’ve got the right business climate and the right people to help get these new companies off the ground,” he said.

The state awarded the company a $30,000 Workforce Development grant to help train employees. “Workforce Development dollars go a long way toward helping new and expanding companies bring their employees up to speed in a timely fashion,” Karim said.

Craig Stanley, president of Steck Wholesale Foods, Inc., said his company is pleased to be in South Dakota. “We have an excellent workforce in the area that is well trained in the food industry and in the manufacturing industry,” he said. “The availability of a trained workforce was a huge factor in our decision to start our business in South Dakota.”

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of months of hard work by many dedicated individuals,” said North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation President Bruce Odson.  “We are delighted Steck Wholesale Foods, Inc., selected North Sioux City to launch this exciting business venture.  Statistics tell us that 90 percent of all start-up companies stay where they are initiated.  We look forward to a long and successful partnership with this new member of our business community.”   

The company currently employs 12 people. Stanley’s partners in the company are Doug Heck, vice president of manufacturing and Jim Calvert, vice president of sales.

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