City Receives Award for BRE Project

The City of Sioux City Economic Development Department has been recognized for efforts to retain a local company that is in the final stages of completing a major expansion. Professional Developers of Iowa (PDI) presented Sioux City with the PDI Business Retention and Expansion Award for efforts in 2014 with the Bomgaars Supply, Inc. expansion project. Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds presented the award to Mayor Bob Scott, Councilmember Dan Moore, Economic & Community Development Director Marty Dougherty and Economic Development Specialist Chris Myres at the Iowa Economic Development SMART Conference held May 7 in Des Moines.

The City worked extensively with Bomgaars Supply, a long-time family owned and operated retail farm and ranch supplier, to help the company consolidate several facilities into a larger, more efficient distribution center. City staff assisted the company with an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for assistance through the Targeted Jobs and the Enterprise Zone Programs. Staff also successfully applied for and received a $1.64 million IDOT RISE grant to assist in the reconstruction of Zenith Drive. The City has worked closely with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) on the design and reconstruction of Zenith Drive and related infrastructure as it relates to the I-29 reconstruction project.

The entire Bomgaars Supply expansion project represents a capital investment of more than $17,000,000. The new facility on the current Sioux City site will retain 177 existing employees and initially create 15 additional new jobs. The project completion date is anticipated for early summer 2015.

Torrey Wingert, Bomgaars Supply Vice President/CFO, said, “We congratulate the City on receiving this award. They have been a great asset to us not only with our current distribution center expansion, but also as we have grown in other areas of our business the past ten years plus.”

The PDI Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Awards Program recognizes the outstanding efforts of local and regional economic development initiatives in supporting growth and expansion of existing Iowa companies. “Supporting Iowa’s existing industry is a key priority for PDI’s membership,” stated Jason Hutcheson, PDI President. “The BRE Awards are intended to increase the focus on fostering Iowa business growth by economic development organizations and spotlight BRE programs and projects that have made a significant impact on Iowa communities.”

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BOMGAARS SUPPLY, INC.

Bomgaars Supply, Inc. currently operates 81 stores in locations spread across Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, including two of its largest in Sioux City. The company employs nearly 180 individuals at its corporate headquarters and distribution center on Zenith Drive in Sioux City, Iowa and has nearly 1,500 employees company-wide. The company has aggressively expanded throughout the Midwest in the last decade through several strategic acquisitions, making the company a leader in the farm and ranch retail sector.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPERS OF IOWA

Founded in 1973, with current membership of over 320, PDI is an organization dedicated to advancing the professionalism of its members through a wide range of programs and services. As an association, PDI provides professional training that helps its members do a better job for their community. PDI creates an atmosphere of support and offers an instant network of seasoned experts for local professionals to seek advice and support. Learn more about PDI at www.pdiowa.com.