05.31.17

Hoeven Hosts Transportation Secretary Chao at Ribbon Cutting for Expansion of Bobcat's Headquarters in West Fargo

WEST FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined North Dakota and Bobcat Company officials – as well as U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao, who the senator invited to North Dakota – at a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a $9.5 million expansion of Bobcat’s corporate headquarters in West Fargo.

“I brought Secretary Chao to North Dakota to be part of our Drone Focus Conference, and also to see the good work being done across our state,” said Hoeven. “The secretary is working with Congress to put together an infrastructure package. As a premier construction manufacturing company, Bobcat’s expansion is a good example of how investing in America’s infrastructure will grow industries across our economy.”

North Dakota exported nearly $4.2 billion worth of products in 2016, and agriculture and construction machinery comprise a significant part of those products. During his time as governor, Hoeven created the North Dakota Trade Office and helped arrange international trade trips to help expand markets for manufacturers and producers in North Dakota.

While in the Senate, Hoeven traveled to South Korea where he encouraged officials from Doosan Corp., Bobcat’s parent company, to expand Bobcat’s North Dakota operations. Hoeven participated in celebrations for Bobcat’s grand opening of their Acceleration Center in Bismarck and the company’s roll-out of their one millionth loader at their Gwinner manufacturing facility. 

Hoeven continues working through his position on the Senate Appropriations Committee and as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee to support trade programs. As a member of the Senate-House Conference Committee, the senator helped craft the final 2014 farm bill, which directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create an undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs, which USDA recently did.

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