The North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF) has announced the launch of “Automate ND,” a new grant program aimed at addressing workforce shortages by enabling companies to invest in automation equipment. This initiative is made possible by $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated during the 67th Legislative Assembly Special Session.
The program received an overwhelming response, with 42 projects across 21 communities requesting over $11.8 million. Ultimately, 18 projects were awarded funding, underscoring the demand for automation as a solution to workforce challenges. “To keep up with growing demand, it’s vital that we recruit and retain a qualified workforce while also supporting automation investments,” said Shayden Akason, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Finance at Commerce. “This program is another step in helping businesses stay at the forefront of innovation.”
The awarded projects span various sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, and advanced technology, focusing on automating essential processes. Notable recipients include:
- Precision Equipment Manufacturing, LLC (Fargo) – $97,386.79 for robotic welding and tooling equipment. This trailer manufacturer has been fabricating components in North Dakota for 20 years (total project cost: $207,616.87).
- Agri-Cover, Inc. (Jamestown) – $282,924.00 for robot arms and autonomous carts. Agri-Cover manufactures roll-up/hard covers for pickups, truck toppers, and pickup racks (total project cost: $709,783.00).
- Amber Waves, Inc. (Richardton) – $142,382.16 to automate a wash bay. Amber Waves specializes in hopper bottom grain bins (total project cost: $348,814.32).
- Marv Haugen Enterprises, Inc. (Casselton) – $267,862.50 for a robotic welding cell. This company manufactures over 100 types of telehandler, Skid-Steer, and wheel loader attachments (total project cost: $553,095.00).
- Northland Truss Systems, Inc. (Abercrombie) – $483,431.73 for an autonomous linear saw, jigging, and laser system. Northland Truss manufactures wood truss systems (total project cost: $1,016,606.46).
- ComDel Innovation, LLC (Wahpeton) – $500,000.00 for an autonomous mobile robot, automated cleaning equipment, and vision-guided robotics. ComDel is a contract manufacturer specializing in injection molding, metal stamping, and production machining (total project cost: $1,064,894.95).
- The Dairy Dozen (Milner) – $500,000.00 for a milking robot, automated manure collector, and automated feed pusher. This dairy operation is undergoing facility and process improvements (total project cost: $1,119,166.24).
- Killdeer Mountain Manufacturing, Inc. (KMM) (Killdeer/Dickinson) – $159,089.50 for automated parts storage and retrieval units. KMM is a third-generation, family-owned business specializing in aerospace and military-grade cable assemblies (total project cost: $318,179.00).
- YMI Industries, Inc. (Grand Forks) – $71,519.00 for an automatic bender and bar feeder. YMI provides precision machining services to OEM manufacturers and innovators (total project cost: $155,538.00).
- DR Millwork Company (dakBUILT) (Kindred) – $130,655.00 for a high-speed edge bander. This company provides custom woodwork and cabinetry (total project cost: $272,510.00).
- FlexTM, Inc. (Wahpeton) – $129,665.24 for a robotic welder. FlexTM supplies OEMs with complex weld assemblies and CNC machining (total project cost: $314,393.12).
- Integrity Steel Supply, LLC (Mapleton) – $500,000.00 for a robotic welder. Integrity Steel produces structural steel, joist, and deck systems (total project cost: $1,622,450.00).
- Malach USA, LLP (Valley City) – $500,000.00 for a robotic brake press. Malach is a metal and machining shop (total project cost: $1,205,500.00).
- Mid-Mac Marketing, Inc. (MidMach) (Jamestown) – $500,000.00 for three robotic welding cells. MidMach focuses on metal fabrication for the energy and agriculture sectors (total project cost: $1,227,600.00).
- Champ Industries USA, Inc. (Fargo) – $240,514.00 for an automated tool-loading brake press. Champ partners with OEMs and Tier One Suppliers in metal fabrication and assembly (total project cost: $489,288.00).
- Blue Flint Ethanol LLC (Underwood) – $28,500.00 to automate milling, liquefaction, and fermentation stages of ethanol production (total project cost: $175,609.00).
- PS Industries Incorporated (PSI) (Grand Forks) – $190,441.06 for an automated robotic press and CNC tube bender. PSI manufactures safety and fall-protection products for multiple industries, including the military and energy sectors (total project cost: $757,381.00).
- Wood Products, Inc. (dba American Woods) (Grand Forks) – $186,926.33 for automated material handling carts. American Woods manufactures residential furniture (total project cost: $347,036.00).
Applicants were required to conduct a feasibility study on their Smart Manufacturing readiness, with assistance from Impact Dakota. Jodie Mjoen, CEO of Impact Dakota, praised state leadership for their proactive efforts in addressing workforce challenges. “Hats off to our state leadership for leading the nation in addressing critical workforce challenges,” he said.
Mjoen emphasized the shift from offshoring to advanced manufacturing solutions, stating, “Workers previously tasked with dangerous, dull, and dirty jobs are being reallocated to higher-paying, more fulfilling roles in programming and operating advanced manufacturing equipment.”
As the program unfolds, Commerce and Impact Dakota remain committed to fostering automation and innovation within North Dakota businesses, supporting applicants in their pursuit of growth and success while contributing to the state’s economic expansion.
