Sidney Welcomes Two New Businesses

from the 2-24-10 Scottsbluff Star Herald

Two Businesses have announced plans to relocate to Sideny, according to Sidney/Cheyenne County economic development director Gary Person.

Emagine Concepts Inc, a Colorado based manufacturing company, has made a commitment to expand tis operation to the Sidney and the Cheyenne County area. Person said the announcement by Emagine Concepts officials and Sidney/Cheyenne County economic development officials.

Erik Mellum, owner and CEO, said the company chose Sidney due to its location.

"The area makes good sense from a logistics point of view and I've been impressed by Sidney and the people we've met here. I'm hoping we will have a long, mututally beneficial relationship with Sidney and its wonderful citizens," said Mellum.

To assist the company in its expansion efforts, the Cheyenne County Commissioners, through the county's CDN+BG re-use loan fund, approved a $160,000 loan during their Tuesday meeting.

Emagine has a 20 year history of manufacturing wood products such as cabinets, custom stairs and soild surface finish using architechtural millwork, casework and design manufacturing and installation. The initial expansion will center around door manufacturing.

Sutherland Lumber Company has also announced an agreement with Emagine Concepts. The partnership arrangement will allow for products manufactured by Emagine Concepts to be sold under the Sutherland brand at their retail, warehouse and on-line stores

"The company intends to set up its initial operations at the Adams Industries Industrial Park northwest of Sidney thanks to the outstanding cooperative efforts of Don Adams and his management team," said Person.

Adams said Emagine Concepts "will be an asset to not only our facility, but to the community of Sidney and Cheyenne County."

Another goal of Emagine Concepts is to further expand its committment to its sustainable product manufacturing operations a the City f Sidney's Industrial Park location, possibly leading the way towards a "Green Energy Park" development on the east edge of SIdny. The company has been working with both local officials and state officials with the DED on the development of the green energy park idea.

Adams said the initial development is hoped to create 40 jobs with positions in crafts, technicians, laborers, sales, clerical and professional and magagerial staff. He said the mid to long term goal will be to create a substantial amount of investment and job creation in Cheyenne County.

Plans for the additional green energy product development will be announced at a later time. Emagine Concepts has several contractual relationships in place and the development may include up to three new company spin-offs as a result of the variety of the products. Panhandle Area Development District will assist the city through the administration of several of the grant processes.

Person saod local officials have enjoyed working with the owner and management team of Emagine Concepts. "We appreciate their committment to our area and I firmly believe this will be a great partnership between the company and the Sidney area."

The other business was announced by Ron Carlson who said that Commercial Resins Company Inc has purchased the assets of Industrial Structures Inc (ISI) in Tulsa, Oklahoma effective January 1.

"The eqipment and operations will be moved to our SIdney, Nebraska location over the first few months," he said.

ISI manufactureres riveted aluminum buildings and structures for a variety of industral uses. Most railroads in North AMerica utilize buildings constructed by ISI for crew quarters on their maintenance trains throughout the rail system.

Person said that ISI would maintain a permanent staff o 10 to 15 during construction periods an would utilize temporary personnel as needed throughout the year with a total anticipatedpayroll in the Sidney area of a million dollars annually. Person added that a variety of local companies in the are would also participate in the supply of materials and services to complete these buildings.

"Commercial Resins wishes to thank Adams Industries and the City Manager Gary Person, for their extensive help and support in making this businessexpansion possible." Carlson said.

Commercial Resins manufactures corrosion coating protection of oil and gas pipelines in a non-hazardous environmentally sound process. The company was founded in 1969 and has designed constructed and installed over 30 coating plants worldwide for oil and gas pipe and concrete reinforcing steel.

" We sincerely appreciate Ron Carlson Jr's continued commitment to the further development of the business and industry community of the Sidney and the Cheyenne County area," Person said. "The ISI purchaseand relocation to Sidney is just another outstanding example of his business leadershyip and we're truly appreciative of his investment efforts since first expanding Commercial Resins Manufacturing to Sidney in 2005,"