Automate ND Cass County Tour Highlights Innovation and Workforce Solutions
Aimed at supporting innovation and growth within North Dakota’s manufacturing sector, the Automate ND Program has enabled businesses across the state to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and create more fulfilling roles for their workforce. This innovative initiative has been made possible through $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
A recent Automate ND Statewide Tour, in early December, provided a firsthand look at the program’s impact, with local visits to Cass County awardees including Marv Haugen Enterprises in Casselton, Precision Equipment Manufacturing in Fargo, and DR Millwork Company (dakBUILT) in Kindred.
Cass County has benefited with four recipients receiving nearly $994,000 in program incentives, leveraging an additional $1,660,000 in private investments. These combined resources are driving more than $2.65 million in capital investment in automation projects within the county alone.
The Automate ND program exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in fostering economic development and incentivizing private investment. As Joe Raso, President of GFMEDC, remarked, “small businesses shared a clear message during these tours: these investments into automated machinery would not have been possible without Automate ND giving them the extra push.”
Tour Stop Highlights
Marv Haugen Enterprises (Casselton)
Representatives from the GFMEDC, ND Department of Commerce, Minn-Dak Manufacturers Association (MDMA), local Casselton leadership, and legislators including Representative Brandy Pyle and Senator Mark Weber gathered to celebrate Marv Haugen Enterprises’ investment into a robotic welding cell. This automated equipment will enable them to produce OSHA-certified work platforms for telehandlers in just three hours, which is a substantial time savings from the nine hours it takes to manually assemble. This technology enhances the company’s ability to manufacture over 100 types of telehandler, Skid-Steer, and wheel loader attachments. The Automate ND investment positions the company to increase productivity and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Precision Equipment Manufacturing (Fargo)
The GFMEDC, along with partners from the FMWF Chamber, ND Department of Commerce, MDMA, and state representatives Austen Schauer and Carrie McLeod visited Precision Equipment Manufacturing to get a firsthand demonstration on how their new robotic welding and tooling equipment will improve operational efficiency and offer more rewarding roles to employees. This trailer manufacturer, operating in North Dakota for over 20 years, shared that this investment will enable them to increase their production three-fold, with the return on investment being realized in less than a year’s time.
DR Millwork Company/dakBUILT (Kindred)
The tour concluded at dakBUILT, where a high-speed edge bander has revolutionized the company’s custom woodwork and cabinetry production. A cabinetry provider to hospitality projects across the nation, dakBUILT will save 48 hours of production time each week, while being able to produce 8,160 banded edges in workday compared to the 900 they could process before automation. This project highlights the opportunity automation has in enhancing productivity while creating safer and more skilled job opportunities for employees.
Program Impact and Industry Insights
The Automate ND program has sparked widespread interest, with 42 projects across 21 communities requesting over $11.8 million in funding. Ultimately, 18 projects were selected, representing industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and advanced technology. The initiative enables businesses to:
- Address Workforce Shortages: Automation technology fills critical gaps in a constrained workforce, particularly for high-demand positions like welding and machining.
- Improve Job Quality: Workers transition from dangerous and repetitive roles to higher-paying, fulfilling positions in programming and operating advanced equipment.
- Boost Productivity: Automation optimizes processes, allowing businesses to scale efficiently and stay competitive in global markets.
“The overwhelming demand for the Automate ND program shows how eager North Dakota businesses are to adopt automation as a solution to workforce constraints,” said Shayden Akason, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Finance at the North Dakota Department of Commerce. “North Dakota has a history of innovation, and this program is another step in helping businesses stay at the forefront of progress.”
A Vision for the Future
Jodie Mjoen, CEO of Impact Dakota, praised the initiative for fostering advanced manufacturing and creating pathways to sustainable economic growth. “The focus is shifting from offshoring to smarter, advanced manufacturing solutions. Workers are transitioning to roles that utilize their skills in operating cutting-edge technology, benefiting both the employees and the industry,” Mjoen said.
Continuing the Journey
The Automate ND program underscores the importance of strategic investments and collaborative efforts in addressing workforce challenges and driving innovation. With projects ranging from robotic welding cells to high-speed edge banders, this initiative is paving the way for a resilient and prosperous future for businesses in our market and beyond.
