In a big blow for Bismarck’s highly controversial Northern Plains Commerce Centre (NPCC), Arizona-based wind tower manufacturer, Schuff Steel, has chosen to build its manufacturing facility in Kansas.
One year ago, it was announced that Schuff Steel had been promised a $7.1 million tax incentive, using mostly stimiluls funding, to build a wind tower manufacturing plant in Bismarck. Schuff Steel later confirmed plans to build its new plant at the NPCC, employing an estimated 300-1,500 people.
This is certainly a huge loss for Bismarck. The Schuff Steel plant would’ve brought many good-paying manufacturing jobs to the region.
The NPCC has been met with huge controversy ever since it was first developed in 2008. Supporters have argued that the Centre is a necessary tool to attract businesses to Bismarck; however, many have expressed concern over the large upfront costs to develop the NPCC.
