McNeilus Steel has announced a USD 15 million expansion in northwest Fargo that will add 15 jobs. Ground will be broken this week and construction is expected to be finished June or July 2010.

Mr Glenn Sylvester GM of McNeilus Steel said that "We want to be prepared when our markets turn upward."

The Fargo operation supplies steel primarily to the agricultural equipment and wind energy industries. Both industries have struggled recently, but Mr Sylvester said his company is confident its customers will rebound and need more steel.

Mr Brian Walters president of the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation said that McNeilus Steel is upbeat about its future. He added that "They’re confident their markets are poised for a rebound."

Mr Walters said that he is seeing signs of a national economic turnaround. He also said it’s difficult for him to project how fast the economy might improve.

McNeilus Steel will work with the development corporation to figure out what financial incentives the project might qualify for. The new building will be four blocks south of the existing McNeilus building at 1531 47th St. N.W.

McNeilus also bought 18 acres for future expansion at the site. McNeilus employs 70 people at its existing 175,000 square foot location. It expects to begin taking applications for most of the new 15 jobs next spring. The new location will house a USD 7.5 million machine that decoils and stretches steel.