(Jackson, Mn.)– A major announcement this (Thursday) afternoon for the city of Jackson. AGCO, the city’s largest employer, announced a major expansion of its manufacturing facility there.
Bob Crain, senior Vice President and General Manager for AGCO North America, announced Massey Ferguson and Challenger tractors will be built at the Jackson plant beginning sometime in the fourth quarter of 2011. The first tractors are expected to roll off the line before the end of the year.
The facility in Jackson currently produces Challenger track and articulated four-wheel-drive tractors as well as high-flotation applicators and high-clearance sprayers.
Plans include a 75,000 square foot expansion of the Jackson manufacturing plant, along with construction of a state-of-the-art visitor’s center.
The expansion is expected to result in an additional 100 manufacturing and support jobs with an annual payroll of $5.68 million dollars. In addition, a study by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development found the visitor center and resulting expenditures from visitors is expected to create as many as 95 jobs throughout the community and increase the Jackson economy by $2.26 million.
The study also found that in total, the annual economic impact of the expansion is projected to bring nearly 200 jobs and more than $17.3 million in annual Gross Regional Product to the area.
Construction of the facility is expected to bring more than 50 jobs in the construction and support industries and more than $2.2 million of Gross Regional Product.
The Jackson plant currently employs more than 900 people.
Farm equipment manufacturing has been a part of the Jackson community since 1963 when Ag-Chem Equipment Company was founded as a distributor of spraying equipment. Ag-Chem was purchased by AGCO in 2001.
