A local manufacturer hosted leadership from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and from other organizations that helped support its recently completed expansion.

LDJ Manufacturing hosted Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, State Director Theresa Greenfield, and other USDA leadership, as well as several local groups, for a tour of their facility Wednesday afternoon, led by Operations Manager Chad Van Wyk and Company President Ben Cox.

“We’re happy to partner with Pella Cooperative Electric and the USDA in our expansion project,” said Ben Cox, President of LDJ Manufacturing. “It’s an exciting step forward for business growth and local economic opportunities with skilled job creation and higher wages in our community.”

The stop was in part to see the progress made as LDJ participated in the USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, facilitated by Pella Cooperative Electric at the local level, which included a $1.5 million loan used to finance a new 25,000 sq. ft. addition.

“As a member-owned electric Cooperative, we’re in a unique position to utilize borrowing power for our local businesses that we serve. Any efforts we can make to contribute to our local economy is a win for us, for our members, and for the community,” commented Pella Cooperative Electric Chief Executive Officer Doug Stewart. “We’re pleased to be able to partner with LDJ Manufacturing on their project.”