When the Gregory Business & Industrial Development (BID) group received word from a local source that Ranchers Livestock Equipment and Welding was looking to expand into the central plains, they sprang into action. The task at hand was to convince Ranchers Livestock to build a new fabrication plant and expand their business from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Gregory, SD. If the local BID group could successfully recruit Ranchers Livestock to Gregory County, it would serve their goal of creating new employment opportunities, stabilizing income and helping stop the outmigration of a quality workforce.

The Gregory BID group worked with many organizations and entities, and in the end they successfully recruited Ranchers Livestock to Gregory. Understanding the importance of Ranchers Livestock to Gregory County, the Gregory City Council offered land in the Industrial Park for a small fee. The South Dakota Department of Transportation assisted by providing funds for hard surfaced streets within the Industrial Park. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development and District III in Yankton crafted a financial package to help Ranchers Livestock locate in the area, as well as extend needed utilities to the Industrial Park. In addition, the local bank has been very supportive providing financial backing to Ranchers Livestock since their expansion into Gregory County.

As predicted, the success of this project was not just for Gregory, but for the County as a whole. Several people have been employed from Burke, Dallas and from Mills, NE. Local employees play an integral part of Ranchers Livestock filling key spots throughout the organization. Two families have moved back to the area for employment at Ranchers Livestock, bringing with them a total of six school-aged children. In addition, two local businesses have been impacted positively by Ranchers Livestock. A local trucking firm is now delivering the finished manufactured products, and a local body shop has contracted to sandblast the raw metal before it is painted. Subsequently, these two organizations have hired additional labor to meet the demands offered by Ranchers Livestock.

Ranchers Livestock began operations in Gregory November of 2007. Currently, the plant has 21 employees with talk of a second shift being added in the near future. Even in a challenging economy, expansion can be discussed due to the excellent diversity of products manufactured by Ranchers Livestock. So in the end, Ranchers Welding provided more than jobs and opportunity, it provided hope and a more positive outlook for the citizens of Gregory County.

Ranchers Livestock began operations in Gregory November of 2007. Currently, the plant has 21 employees with talk of a second shift being added in the near future. Even in a challenging economy, expansion can be discussed due to the excellent diversity of products manufactured by Ranchers Livestock. So in the end, Ranchers Welding provided more than jobs and opportunity, it provided hope and a more positive outlook for the citizens of Gregory County.

For more information on the Gregory BID group or this story, contact Ron Kyburz, BID Chairperson by phone at 605-835-8379 or .

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