FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; Friday, Feb. 18, 2005        

CONTACT: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-3301                                                                                   

Governor Lauds $35 Million Expansion in Brookings

Pierre, SD – 3M Brookings, the city’s largest industrial employer, is planning a $35 million expansion, Governor Mike Rounds announced on Feb. 18, 2005.

“We are absolutely thrilled that 3M has chosen Brookings as the site for this major capital investment,” Gov. Rounds said. “The investment will allow one of South Dakota’s strongest corporate citizens to be even more competitive in the world marketplace,” he said.

According to Mike Magnuson, 3M Brookings plant manager, the improvements involve additional production lines, new environmental control equipment and increases in sterilization capacity. The project includes expansion of the manufacturing capacity for Tegaderm brand dressings – the world’s leading brand of transparent film dressing.

The project also involves the installation of a new environmental control technology and sterilization capacity. “3M Brookings has always been environmentally conscientious and this is just one more step this company is taking to make sure that its manufacturing facilities meet and exceed all safety standards,” Gov. Rounds said.

3M currently employs 1,200 people at its two South Dakota facilities – Brookings and Aberdeen. “We are proud to be home to two 3M facilities and congratulate this world class corporation on its continued success,” he concluded.

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