Kurt Mfg

Star Herald 4 -14-02

Progress continues at Kurt Manufacturing as new employees are added and new equipment arrives, and the Chairman of the Scotts Bluff County Commissioners sees the expansion project as a prime example of local government conducting economic development smartly.

"Kurt is an existing business with a proven track record," said Mark Masterton. "This is a case of building from within, with a solid company, instead of trying to land the big fish from outside. We have to do both, but I am very supportive of this type of economic development."

Masterton traveled to the Lyman facility recently to present a check for $510,000 in economic development funds. In terms of bookkeeping, the County serves as a "pass-through" entity that has to approve the grant before the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will release the federal Community Development Block Grant.

Masterton, however, stressed that the County Board , in reality, is more than a "pass-through" agent in cases like this: it is an advocate of sorts, helping to make sure that the project clears the hurdles at the State level.

In addition to this funding, the City of Scottsbluff has approved $490,000 in LB 840 funds, which are sales tax revenues set aside for economic development efforts. According to the agreement the City Council and Kurt reached, any future expansion in Nebraska beyond Lyman would take place in Scottsbluff. No decisions have been made regarding such an expansion, said Kurt's Lyman division manager, Larry Blehm.

"We appreciate the support that the City of Scottsbluff , the County, and the State of Nebraska have shown us," Blehm said.

The project involves relocating the operations of a Minneapolis Kurt plant to the Lyman division.

"It's challenging," Blehm said.

To secure the CDBG money from the State, Kurt agreed to create and maintain 30 new jobs; and as part of its LB 840 agreement with the City of Scottsbluff , Kurt said it would create and maintain 70 new jobs over the next five years.

So far, equipment continues to arrive for the expanded opera- tion , and new employees are being added. Over the past several months, Blehm said, the workforce has grown by about 30.

For the plant relocation, Kurt will be making a sizeable investment, Blehm said - in the neighborhood of $3 million the first year. That figure includes equipment, operating tools, training, supplies and payroll.

Kurt manufactures hydraulic, automotive and general commercial components. The Lyman division's expanded operation will focus on manufacturing hydraulic valves for agricultural and industrial applications and some general commercial work.

The Minneapolis-based Kurt Manufacturing has plants in Lyman and Pueblo , Colorado . Kurt has been in Lyman 18 years and has about 120 employees.

Star Herald 1/23/02

The Scotts Bluff County Commissioners signed off Tuesday on a $510,000 Community Development Block Grant for Kurt Manufacturing that will help bring 70 new jobs to the area.

The County, in essence, acts as the "pass-through" entity for the grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and must approve the grant for the money to be released.

Initially, the State had wanted Kurt to work with the Panhandle Area Development District, but later changed its mind and opted for the County, Larry Blehm, Kurt Division General Manager, told the Commissioners during their Tuesday meeting.

"We're pleased to be working with the County," Blehm said.

He indicated that the change has resulted in a 45-day delay.

"Kurt is very anxious to get going" on the $2 to $3 million Scottsbluff site, Blehm said. "I'm excited about these projects. It's great for the community and for our division."

Kurt guaranteed the State that it will create 30 new jobs.

The company also has secured $490,000 in LB 840 funds from the City of Scottsbluff . To secure the commitment, Kurt guaranteed the City 70 new jobs.

The manufacturing company, which has its headquarters in Minneapolis , has had a division in Lyman for the past 18 years and will maintain that facility.

Kurt is relocating a Minneapolis plant to a site at Western Nebraska Regional Airport . The Scottsbluff operation will focus on manufacturing hydraulic valve components and some work for the military.

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