Area Development
Counterpart, Inc., an industrial metal fabrication company, began construction on a 30,000-square-foot expansion of its manufacturing plant in Brookings, South Dakota.

This is Counterpart's third expansion since it opened in 1996. The addition will give the company, which produces parts and assemblies to meet the needs of the electronics, agribusiness, utility vehicle, polyethylene, and door and windows at 214 32nd Ave South in Brookings, a total of 80,000-square-feet of manufacturing space. The firm initially plans to initially add about 20 additional employees to its workforce of about 75 members.

"Counterpart, Inc. is a great example of a thriving South Dakota business," said Gov. Dennis Daugaard. "I'm pleased that the company has partnered with Governor's Office of Economic Development to continue growing in South Dakota."

Among incentives offered the firm, Counterpart obtained a Revolving Economic Development and Initiative fund loan, an SBA 504 loan, a Workforce Development grant, and Dakota Seeds funding through GOED.

Don Deibert, Counterpart, Inc. president, said that it was necessary for the company to expand. "Over the past few years, we have really diversified our operation and have become an engineering as well as a manufacturing facility," Deibert said. "With customer demand so high, we need more room for our products."

"Brookings Economic Development Corporation is extremely pleased that Counterpart, Inc. is expanding in Brookings. Counterpart is a key component of Brookings' economic base, providing high-quality metal fabrication services to local industries, as well as exporting services and products beyond Brookings and South Dakota," said Al Heuton, executive director of Brookings Economic Development Corporation. "The Counterpart team has done an excellent job building a quality company in all aspects of its manufacturing operation, from skilled employees to advanced manufacturing facilities."