Third-party logistics (3PL) services provider, Comprehensive Logistics Inc, (CLI) will be locating to Watertown as part of its plan to assist Terex with their parts and warehouse management needs. The expansion is part of a ripple effect that is taking place in Watertown after Terex started their expansion earlier this year.

The company is one more of a few businesses that have already made their move to be closer to Terex since their announcement.

CLI is a full-service logistics and value-added assembly business focused on automotive, construction, mining, agriculture and consumer goods industries. The Company has operations in more than 12 states and services a broad range of customers.

The Watertown Development Company will build and lease back to CLI a 60,000 square foot facility in Calvin Industrial Park. The company is expected to add approximately 25 full time positions with yearly salaries ranging from $34,000 to $100,000 and an estimated $4.3 million in capital investment to Watertown.

Michelle Kakacek is the Director of Business Development for the Watertown Development Company.  She has been working with CLI on a lease/purchase agreement for the new building for several months. “We are thrilled to welcome Comprehensive Logistics to Calvin Industrial Park. It is exciting to see an industry leader in supply chain solutions set up shop in Watertown and partner with a local manufacturer. It illustrates how growth of one business can spur additional investment in our local economy.”

Manufacturers from around the world rely on supply chain management systems like CLI’s because building an in-house distribution system can be costly when vehicles and vehicle repair, fuel and labor costs are taken into account.

“Comprehensive Logistics Co., Inc., is proud to have been selected to support Terex Utilities and the Watertown community with innovative and progressive warehouse and transportation solutions with the singular goal to produce the highest quality utility vehicles,” said Brad Constantini, CEO of Comprehensive Logistics.

Comprehensive Logistics’ operations will support and sustain Terex production capacity through engineered warehouse processes applied to key part flow-paths routed through this new facility.  Consulting with Terex, CLI has developed a “Plan For Every Part” (PFEP) methodology and set requirements for material receiving, inventory storage space, parts picking, re-packaging for line presentation, sub-assemblies and kitting services, built in-sequence for production.  CLI will transport materials by short-run shuttle trucks to the assembly plant triggered by Terex ERP/EDI communications and build forecasts.

With CLI management of resources, consisting of material handling vehicles, special handling equipment, barcode labeling and packaging containers, an entire team of CLI trained people will be dedicated to delivering safe, sustainable optimized performance for Terex within this purposefully constructed facility.

CLI operations will enable Terex to focus on assembly of world-class products, while CLI assures that the exact parts needed for assembly are delivered just-in-time.

CLI expects to be fully operational by Spring 2020.

With assistance from the Watertown Development Company (WDC) through their downtown revitalization program, another business will be making its move to downtown Watertown soon.

The Painted Fox will be moving into the building located at 208 East Kemp Avenue in downtown Watertown.

Opening in August, the studio will be a place where you can paint your own pottery, attend pottery classes, do glass fusing, wood sign painting, and canvas painting.

Ashley Fox is the owner of The Painted Fox. She said she considers this a “hands-on arts studio.”

“I am not an artist, but I can help. You don’t have to be creative or good at it. You can come in and I will guide and help you with your project. Its more about the experience of working with pottery rather than being an expert and creating a work of art,” Fox said.

Some examples of the items you will be able to create include paint your own pottery with 50 plus items to choose from, dinner wear, and piggy banks.  Price ranges will be $10.00 and up.

There may also be an opportunity for the business to offer wine during classes in the future. Ashley has applied for a beer and wine license which will be going in front of the Watertown City Council at their July 15^th meeting.

The Painted Fox will be open most evenings. Ashley plans on posting a monthly calendar the month before so people can plan ahead for her events which will include art camps for children, lady’s night, and a couple’s night.

The Watertown Development Company is keeping its promise of filling empty buildings downtown.

Anne Mack, owner of Hot Mama Mack’s, and Jason Mack, an AFLAC Insurance Agent, are the newest businesses to have chosen to locate downtown.

For the last 10 years, Jason has been working at another location in Watertown, and Anne has been assisting him out of their home.

The two businesses will now occupy all of the space previously known as Off the Clock Chophouse at 206 East Kemp Avenue.

Anne and Jason’s businesses join others who have recently located downtown because of the WDC’s downtown revitalization program, including Phillip Matthews’ State Farm Agency, and Sunshine & Co. boutique.

“We are excited to have them locate downtown. They will make a great addition to the mix of retailers located there,” said Chris Schilken, Executive Director for the Watertown Development Company. “What we’re most excited about is that Anne’s business is serving a dual purpose,” said Schilken, “She’s filling an empty space downtown and answering a question that most working parents dread to hear almost every day around 3:00 pm, which is, ‘What’s for dinner??’ “.

Whether the question comes in a message or it pops into your head during the workday, most parents automatically cringe, because it’s one of the most stressful times of the day.

Anne is making it her mission to help you.  “I know there is a need for healthier, real food, but people are too busy to figure out how to make that work. I have always loved cooking for people, it just makes me happy,” Anne said in a recent interview.

Born and raised in Watertown, Anne is the daughter of local longtime resident and dentist, Dr. Jim Saylor. Her passion for cooking and baking was sparked when she was just 10 years old. Over the years, she has worked in a few other positions, from being a nurse, to a full-time mom, to working alongside her husband at AFLAC. While she was doing that, she was also making salsa.  She started giving her salsa away to friends and family. Over time, it became so popular that she decided she should start selling it. That’s when she came up with the idea to start her own business.

Hot Mama Mack’s business is two-fold; she prepares mild, medium, and hot salsa, and she also prepares ready-made meals that people can take home, heat, and eat, or freeze for another day. Her meals are available for pickup 11:00 am – 6:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Depending on the type of meal prepared, prices will vary slightly; from $10-12 dollars for a two-person meal and $15-20 for a family size meal.

She will do her best to customize for allergies and dietary preferences.

Both places are open and ready for business. You can find the meals and order what Anne will be preparing for the week on her Facebook page at “hot mama macks.”

With assistance from the Watertown Development Company (WDC) through their downtown revitalization program, another business will be making its move to downtown Watertown soon.

The WDC welcomes State Farm agent Phillip Matthews to its family of relocated businesses downtown. For the past couple of years, Matthews and his team have been servicing their clients in Watertown at 600 5^th Street SE. The new location, located at 208 East Kemp, will officially open its doors this June.

This will be the second business this year to make its move to downtown as a result of the WDC’s revitalization program.

The move is part of the WDC’s strategic initiative aimed at creating renewed interest in locating businesses and people into downtown. The goal is to renovate and fill storefronts on Kemp Avenue, which in turn will attract new workforce, visitors, shoppers, and new life to the downtown area.

Matthews moved to Watertown in 2017 with fiancé, Jordan, from Montana.  Since moving here, he has become active in Rotary, Optimist Club, and Excite 21-40. Last year his business was chosen as Chamber Business of the Year.

Matthews said, “We are very excited for our new office space downtown. I want to thank our wonderful community and Watertown Development Company who has made this all possible. One of the biggest reasons for our move to downtown is because I know the heart of any growing city is their downtown. We look forward to being a part of that as we continue to watch Watertown grow and prosper.”

Matthews and his team bring years of insurance and financial services experience to the area. Phillip’s office currently includes three fully-licensed and bank certified team members: Shareen Brazil (Office Manager); Teresa Kaaza (Bank and Life Specialist); and Allison Lehrke (Account Manager).

The agency offers auto, antique classic auto, motorcycle, recreational/off-road vehicles, boat-owners, condo unit owners, farm/ranch, flood, homeowners, manufactured home, personal articles policy, liability umbrellas, renters, life insurance, disability income, hospital income, medical supplement, vehicle loans, cd’s, checking, savings, and credit cards.

Matthews is planning to have a grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration at the new location in July.

The Watertown Development Company (WDC) has selected a name for their new industrial park that honors an individual who has made a lasting impression on the industrial culture of Watertown.

The park will be called Calvin Industrial Park, named for John Calvin, notable Watertown businessman, philanthropist and entrepreneur.

Chris Schilken, Executive Director of the WDC, said, “John is a very successful, well-respected businessman and entrepreneur who has brought a wealth of experience and opportunity to our community,” said Schilken. “His name evokes economic vitality and signifies the promise of a brilliant future for the park.”

Calvin is known for bringing his company, Angus Industries, to Watertown over 40 years ago, and for being the second Watertown businessman to oversee the state of South Dakota’s economic development efforts.

He first came to South Dakota to hunt pheasants, but after many more visits to the state, the late Gov. George S. Mickelson convinced him to expand his manufacturing business to Watertown. He put only part of the company in Watertown to start.

By 1992, Calvin moved all of the operations to Watertown, and many other employees from the plant in Minnesota. The company grew quickly; from $2.7 million to $20 million in annual sales, and in 1996, sold it to the employees and watched it continue to grow while he formed a new venture, J. Scott Industries of Watertown, investing in other new businesses.

Calvin said of his success and naming of the park, “Watertown was a good move. It has a remarkable workforce with good work ethic and attitude. I am deeply appreciative for the recognition.”

Acquisition of the 73 acres of  land by the WDC was completed last fall.  Hoping to continue the legacy of successes such as recruiting Calvin’s business to Watertown, new development within the park will follow one of the long-held missions of the WDC: focusing on new business attraction and existing business retention and expansion.

The WDC is already working with a company looking to locate to the new park.

“We are working on recruiting a company from out of state who is ready to locate on the north end of the park and employ up to 50 people. Construction is expected to start this fall,” said Schilken.

Calvin Industrial Park is located directly west of the new Terex expansion, along 20th Avenue south.

A park dedication ceremony is planned for May 28^th at 2:00 p.m. at the southwest corner of the park, with a reception to follow at 4:00 p.m. at Joy Ranch. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is expected to be in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The public is welcome to attend.

A North Dakota supplier of oilfield and construction services has expanded to Watertown.

Sentry, out of Waterford and Williston, N.D., has expanded its business, making it the company’s 3^rd location for operations.

The expansion will result in up to 40 new jobs for Watertown.

Sentry started in 2011 as a crane company whose focus was primarily on the oil fields. They now offer roustabout, welding, well services, trucking, and building concept services, pre-plumbed skid buildings for industrial infrastructure and the oil field, pre-manufactured pipe; welded/flanged, grooved, and threaded, and crane work services.

The company had considered other locations to expand but chose Watertown because they are familiar with the area, there were existing buildings available, and the availability of skilled workforce for what they would need for their operations.

Sentry is located at 1414 5^th Street SE in Watertown.

As part of the WDC’s economic development efforts in its five-year strategic plan, the Watertown Development Company has contracted with Maxfield Research & Consulting Company to complete a housing study and downtown market analysis for Watertown.

The goal of the study is to determine the market potential for developing additional housing and commercial spaces in the City and specifically Downtown Watertown.  The information Maxfield Research obtains from both public and private sources will be used by Watertown Development Company to develop an action strategy.

The kick-off meeting for the project is open to the public and will be held in the City Hall council chambers on Monday, March 25 at 5:30 pm.

The public is welcome to meet with Matt Mullins, Maxfield’s Vice President, to hear about how you can be involved and what to expect.

With positive reception from the downtown advisory committee and a supportive nod from the board of the Watertown Development Company (WDC), downtown Watertown will soon realize its first revitalization project.

Sabrina Valsvig, owner of Sunshine & Co., will be moving her business from 17 1^st Avenue SE, to a larger space to support her growing business.

The move is part of the WDC’s strategic initiative aimed at creating renewed interest in locating businesses and people into the heart of downtown.

Chris Schilken, Executive Director of the WDC, said, “This is the first of many more developments to come. Our goal is to make strategic investments in downtown Watertown that will fill empty buildings and repurpose available space, which in turn will attract new workforce, tourists, shoppers, and bring renewed life to the uptown area.”

With unified support from the City of Watertown, Watertown Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, the WDC launched their downtown revitalization initiative in November 2018.

The Downtown Advisory Committee was formed soon after to review potential initiatives and make recommendations to the WDC Board for final approval. The advisory committee is made up of several independent business owners who are in downtown Watertown, Julie Knutson, President of the Watertown Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Tim Sheehan, President of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Investments in the downtown projects are made by the WDC with money received from Dakota Resources, which allows small businesses and entrepreneurs access to capital to grow and expand their business. The funds are then used to allow the WDC to structure lease-purchase agreements on newly acquired buildings, providing a path to ownership.

Schilken said, “Investment in the revitalization of our downtown attracts workforce, attracts tourists, creates jobs, and increases property values, all of which benefit our economy and keep Watertown moving forward.”

The WDC’s downtown revitalization initiative also accommodates local needs in a way that might not be possible in a completely privately funded project. “Funding from the WDC helps fill the gap to make these projects a reality and overcome unique issues that occur in downtown environments, such as accessibility, affordability, remediation, restoration and preservation,” said Schilken.

Sunshine & Co. is expected to open in April after improvements are made at their new location at 18 East Kemp Avenue, and have expanded hours Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The retail store carries clothing for women and children, jewelry, and home décor.

Several other downtown projects are currently under consideration. The downtown advisory committee and WDC Board hope to have final approvals and the details of these projects in the coming weeks.

Downtown Watertown will see some changes in the new year thanks to an initiative being launched by local business leaders.

With unified support from the City of Watertown, Watertown Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Watertown Development Company is launching a downtown revitalization initiative aimed at creating renewed interest in locating businesses and people downtown.

Chris Schilken, Executive Director of the Watertown Development Company, said the goal is to make strategic investments that will create a unified downtown and improve the quality of life for residents in the area. “Success in economic development is increasingly becoming more about creating walkable, and connected places. Investment in revitalization creates jobs, workforce, increases property values and attracts tourists, all of which are economic benefits to the cities making those investments.”

Initiatives like this are nothing new to economic development groups like the Watertown Development Company. The impact of downtown revitalization on local and state economies is well documented. Having a unique quality of place plays a strong role in attracting residents, visitors, and businesses. Many rural economic development corporations across the United States are engaged in revitalization efforts to renew downtown areas and restore them to their former distinction as the center of community activity.

To move the initiative forward, the WDC has formed a committee that will collaborate with WDC staff on research, ideas and presentation of recommendations to the WDC Board of Directors. The group will also be utilizing an advisory committee made up of downtown business leaders that will draw from their input, research, and plans to help them develop a wide range of ideas and concepts to reposition downtown as a community destination.

Mayor Sarah Caron is one of a handful of community leaders who will serve on the downtown revitalization committee. She said, “We are excited to listen to ideas from our downtown business owners to re-establish downtown as a center of activity for our youth, adults, families and seniors. We want it to be a place that reflects the qualities, characteristics, and activities that have historically defined Watertown, a community that gathers morning, noon and night. We will be looking to downtown business owners for their recommendations on how to build on what we have to create something even more appealing.”

One thing that will be necessary to the success of the initiative is continued investment – which means committing the WDC’s resources strategically. Thanks to the supporters of the current GROW Watertown five-year strategic plan, investment will come directly from the Watertown Development Company, which in turn will generate several positive impacts, including a decrease in the building vacancy rate.

“This initiative is an economic opportunity for Watertown. Creating a vibrant, walkable neighborhood will help attract and retain talented people and the companies that want to hire them, and make Watertown stand out as a destination to dine, shop, visit, invest, or move to,” said Schilken.

The downtown advisory committee will be formed between now and the end of the year, and the committee is expected to meet in January to discuss the first round of proposed action plans.

Another of Watertown’s largest employers is planning an expansion of its operations and hiring more workers.

Dakota Tube is making what it describes as a multi-million-dollar investment into the construction of a new 168,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will take place in three phases over the next three years.

The company has had a presence in Watertown since moving their operations here from Minnesota in 1985.

“Manufacturing in Watertown continues to thrive, and when companies like Dakota Tube choose to move and operate here, it strengthens the sector even more,” said Chris Schilken, Executive Director of the Watertown Development Company. “This is a significant investment by Dakota Tube. Once again, Watertown is proving to be a major hub for manufacturing and distribution in South Dakota.”

With previous expansions that took place in 2013, 2014 and 2017, this will be the fourth time that Dakota Tube has expanded in Watertown in the last six years. In 2014, with assistance from the WDC, the company completed a building expansion that took place directly across from their location in Lake Air Industrial Park, which added 38,000 square feet to their building complex and totaled more than $2.1 million in capital investment. Phase one begins this week into a 42,000 square foot spec building owned by the Watertown Development Company (WDC) located in Pheasant Ridge Industrial Park.

John Steinbauer, Vice President of Manufacturing for Dakota Tube said, “The new location will produce our high volume and standardized production. We’ve purchased all new equipment for that building which will begin arriving in November. The equipment is very efficient with some significant automation, and the plans for layout and process flow are exciting too.”

The first phase of their expansion is expected to create over 60 jobs with competitive starting wages of $17.00 – $18.00 per hour.

“We’ve not only invested in our equipment and buildings but have also invested in our people and the work environment. We’ve had two rounds of wage increases since the beginning of the year, improved and added to our benefits, and remodeled our employee break areas and restrooms,” said Steinbauer.

News of the Dakota Tube expansion comes on the heels of the Terex Utilities expansion announcement made in April of this year. Since 2010, manufacturing has bounced back strongly from the crater the sector fell into during the Great Recession. In recent months, 17 of the 18 major manufacturing industries are reported to be in growth mode, including manufacturers of fabricated metal products for machinery, transportation, and construction equipment, like Dakota Tube.

Dakota Tube’s customer base is comprised of many of those major global agriculture and construction equipment manufacturers, including Melroe/Bobcat.  “Recently, economic conditions have drastically improved causing a ‘sling shot’ growth in demand from our customers, mostly from construction. People are building more machines than they have any time in the past 10 years. Since we are supplying a higher percentage to the industry, our growth has been pretty large with even more possible if we had capacity,” said Steinbauer.

The first phase of building 3 is expected to start production in April 2019. The 2-year plan to add more space and processes will follow in 2020 and 2021. The company anticipates their total investment to be at least $10 million when phase 3 is complete.

Dakota Tube currently operates from a building complex totaling 183,970 square feet in Lake Air Industrial Park. When phase one of their expansion is complete, Dakota Tube will have the third largest manufacturing building footprint in Watertown at 225,970 square feet.