A German company that manufactures farm implements is coming to Minnesota, bringing a factory and 100 jobs to St. Cloud.

Geringhoff announced plans Tuesday to invest over $20 million in its new central Minnesota manufacturing facility. This is the first U.S.-based operation for Geringhoff and will create 100 jobs in the first phase of the expansion, with significantly more jobs anticipated in the near future.

Gov. Mark Dayton joined Geringhoff executives for the announcement at an event in St. Cloud.

"We are very proud and deeply grateful that Geringhoff has chosen Minnesota to launch their U.S. operations," said Dayton. "These new jobs are extremely important to St. Cloud and to Minnesota. We look forward to working with Geringhoff to encourage future growth in our state."

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has offered Geringhoff a $500,000 forgivable loan under its Minnesota Investment Fund as well as tax incentives through the JOBZ program.

The operation will be located in St. Cloud's Airport Industrial Park, where Geringhoff purchased a 110,000-square-foot building to house the manufacturing of corn harvesting equipment and other farm equipment.

Geringhoff executives say they investigated nine different regions in North America and visited more than 40 factories before choosing St. Cloud.

"The quality of the local workforce and enthusiasm and support of the regional government agencies were the primary factors that contributed to our decision to open the facility here. In the end, it was the people from Minnesota and the St. Cloud region that made the difference," said Joseph Jandrisch, president of Geringhoff in North America.

Geringhoff was founded in Ahlen, Germany, in 1880.

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http://www.kare11.com/news/article/990605/396/German-farm-implement-company-expands-to-St-Cloud