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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Bobcat Company Starts Construction On $20 Million Acceleration Center in Bismarck, North Dakota

05/13/2013
Bobcat Company began construction on the company’s new Acceleration Center, a $20 million renovation and expansion project at the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck, North Dakota. The company said its Acceleration Center will be a high-tech facility for advancing innovation, and designing and testing products to keep Bobcat the leader in the compact equipment industry.

The project includes the expansion of an existing building, as well as the construction of a new test track and indoor testing facility, all located at the NPCC. The expansion will include a two-story office building and provide a total of 160,000 square feet of modern workspace. Additionally, a 35,000-square-foot indoor testing arena will be constructed next to a 22-acre outdoor testing and track area. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2014.

The Acceleration Center will initially house 135 employees, including research and development teams, prototype and design engineers, and manufacturing technicians. They will be tasked with innovating and advancing designs, testing, prototype engineering, and the computer simulation of ideas and concepts. Bobcat has 225 salaried and 400 hourly employees at its Bismarck locations.

“Bobcat is synonymous with cutting-edge innovation and technology, a distinction that has helped solidify its position as a worldwide leader in the compact equipment industry,” Gov. Jack Dalrymple said. “The company’s new Acceleration Center will provide a state-of-the-art facility for researching new ideas and developing and testing new products that will continue to keep Bobcat on the forefront of innovation, while creating jobs and economic opportunities for our state.”

The $20 million in new construction, land and technology investments brings Bobcat Company’s total investment in the NPCC, including its original building, to $35 million. The company is based in West Fargo, with manufacturing facilities in Bismarck, Gwinner and Wahpeton. With the completion of the new Acceleration Center, Bobcat will have three locations in Bismarck.

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