Posted to News on 27th Nov 2017, 13:11
Digi-Key to benefit from $300 million expansion
Digi-Key Electronics is to create over 1000 new jobs and build a 1,000,000 square-foot expansion to continue to serve its customers globally. The new facility will be located adjacent to its current headquarters in Thief River Falls, USA.
Huge cost and competitive hurdles needed to be overcome compared to other location options, but Dave Doherty, Digi-Key's President and Chief Operating Officer, reports: "The State of Minnesota and local Thief River Falls and Pennington County leaders took decisive action to support our growth."
Local Representative and Assistant House Majority Leader Dan Fabian, along with Representative Deb Kiel and Senators Mark Johnson and David Tomassoni, worked with legislative leaders including House of Representatives Speaker Kurt Daudt; Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk; House Tax Chair Greg Davids; House Jobs Growth and Energy Affordability and Finance Chair Pat Garofalo; Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka; Senate Tax Chair Roger Chamberlain; and Senate Deputy Majority Leader and Jobs Chair Jeremy Miller to pass important legislation to help Digi-Key.
Kevin McKinnon, Deputy Secretary at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, on behalf of Governor Mark Dayton, helped craft the initial text. Governor Dayton said: "I am extremely grateful to Digi-Key for its commitment to Minnesota and the Thief River Falls community. I congratulate Digi-Key on its planned expansion, which will create over 1000 new jobs in Thief River Falls. Digi-Key is truly a fantastic success story."
The economic return for the state of Minnesota will be approximately $184 million in new annual state revenue, or almost $2 billion over 10 years generated by Digi-Key's expansion in addition to the 1000+ new jobs that will be created in Thief River Falls. The project will not impact the current tax base.
Brian Holmer, Mayor of Thief River Falls, stated: "Our community worked hard to ensure Digi-Key's project will be located here because as Digi-Key expands its global reach, it creates good jobs in Greater Minnesota."
Rick Trontvet, Digi-Key Vice President of Administration and Human Resources, adds: "We want to extend a huge 'thank you' to state legislators, community leaders and countless others who have helped us achieve this milestone in our expansion project. We are excited for the opportunity to continue serving our community and state by bringing more investment and more jobs to Northwest Minnesota."
