Farm, ranch and pet supplier adding 20 jobs at southern Minnesota manufacturing and distribution facility

GLENCOE - Farm, ranch and pet supplier Miller Manufacturing will add 20 jobs as part of a $3 million expansion of its distribution center in Glencoe.

Eagan-based Miller said it expects to create jobs paying an average wage of $13 an hour within two years. The $3 million investment will involve property improvements at the company's facility in Glencoe, located in southern Minnesota's McLeod County.



"Our commitment to both community and American-made products is at the core of our Miller values," said Dan Ferrise, CEO of Miller Manufacturing. "The DEED grant bolsters our opportunity for expansion in Glencoe and for remaining a steady source of jobs in the area."

To assist with the expansion, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) will award Miller $185,000 from the Minnesota Job Creation Fund if the company meets its performance goals.

The fund was first proposed by Governor Mark Dayton last year and was among $24 million in business incentives that were approved in the 2013 legislative session. Officials said the program is helping the state to compete for new jobs and businesses.

"If anyone still doubts that public-private partnerships can help businesses to expand and to create new jobs, they should look to Miller Manufacturing and the Minnesota Job Creation Fund," said Governor Dayton. "I want to thank Miller Manufacturing for their important expansion, and for the additional good-paying jobs they will create for Minnesotans."



"Miller Manufacturing supplies virtually every farm and equine store in the country and is widely known for new product development," added DEED Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben. "This is an innovative company that is growing and contributing to the economy of Glencoe and McLeod County."



Miller Manufacturing, founded by Barney Miller in 1941, originally supplied poultry feeding and watering products for farmers and ranchers. The company continued to grow and today sells more than 900 farm, ranch and pet products in the United States, Canada and more than 30 other countries. The business was named Glencoe's manufacturing firm of the year in 2012.

Glencoe Mayor Randy Wilson said, "The city of Glencoe is very excited about the continued investment by Miller Manufacturing in our community. Miller Manufacturing is a very important part of Glencoe's civic community and has been a great partner since arriving here in 2005. The city of Glencoe was honored to be able to assist them in their application for job creation funds from DEED. We continue to support their expansions and investments into our community and look forward to many more opportunities to partner with Miller Manufacturing in the future."



The Minnesota Job Creation Fund is a new pay-for-performance program that provides up to $1 million to businesses after they meet certain criteria, including minimum requirements for job creation and private investments. Under the program, businesses must create at least 10 full-time jobs and invest at least $500,000 to be eligible for financial assistance.

The program is available to businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, technology and other eligible activities. Companies must work with the local government (city, county or township) where a project is located to apply to DEED to receive designation as a Job Creation Fund business.