NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, August 27, 2014
CONTACT: Natalie Likness, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, 605.773.3301

Discovery Benefits Expanding to Brookings

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Discovery Benefits, a third party benefits administration and claims management firm headquartered in Fargo, N.D., is expanding its operations to Brookings, S.D. While a date has not been solidified for the opening of the new facility, the expectation is to begin operations in a temporary workspace located in the Innovation Center of the Research Park at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in September. Discovery Benefits plans to expand with a permanent location within the Research Park. The company pursued the Brookings location based on SDSU’s Division I status and its similarities to Fargo.

“Brookings is very pleased that Discovery Benefits has selected our community for their expansion,” said Al Heuton, executive director of Brookings Economic Development Corporation. “Discovery Benefits is a premier employer in Fargo and will be an excellent fit within our Brookings area economic growth strategy, providing a greater diversity in career opportunities for existing and future residents.”

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is working with Discovery Benefits to provide a Workforce Development grant, which will aid in providing workforce and internship trainings.

“The growing population of the area combined with the supportive business climate makes Brookings a prime location for our new facility,” said John Biwer, president of Discovery Benefits. “An additional office location in the Midwest will allow us to continue the growth we have been experiencing as a company while remaining one of the leading benefits administration companies in the nation.”

“The SDSU Growth Partnership is excited to provide the space to facilitate collaboration between Discovery Benefits, SDSU and the city of Brookings,” said Jay Bender, chairman of the SDSU Growth Partnership. “Discovery Benefits will provide enhanced opportunity to connect students and faculty with industry. The Research Park concept is designed to encourage these relationships. We are pleased to assist Discovery Benefits with its expansion into Brookings.”

Discovery Benefits was founded in 1987 in Fargo and has since gained local, regional and national attention. Among the recognition and awards it has received are Business Insurance’s “Best Place to Work in Insurance” the past four years; the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) “Integrity Award” in 2012; and one of “America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” in Inc. 5000 in 2013 and 2014.

Expanding into Brookings is part of the company’s overall growth strategy that also involves adding on to its current office space in Fargo. Discovery Benefits plans to hire 20 to 30 full- and part-time employees in the new Brookings facility initially and hopes to hire 125 over the next year. Positions are already listed on their website, www.discoverybenefits.com.

For more information about the Workforce Development Grant and other GOED financing programs, visit www.sdreadytowork.com/finance.

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