Bobcat Breaks Ground on $20 million Expansion

Bobcat Co. has officially broken ground on its $20 million renovation and expansion to create the Acceleration Center in Bismarck, N.D. When complete, the Acceleration Center will be a modern complex for advancing innovation.

The project includes expansion of an existing building as well as development of a new test track and indoor testing facility, all at the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck. The expansion of the existing building will include a two-story office building and provide a total of 160,000 square feet of modern workspace. Additionally, a 35,000-square-foot indoor testing arena will be constructed next to a 22-acre outdoor testing and track area. Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2014.

The Acceleration Center will, initially, house 135 employees tasked with innovating and advancing designs; testing; prototype engineering; and the computer simulation of ideas and concepts. These efforts will be accelerated, thanks to the collaborative open environment and modern technology built into the facility.

The Acceleration Center also will serve as a center for excellence and a learning institute for employees. The facility features an open space and high-tech design to encourage collaboration and discussion. Bobcat dealers and customers will be brought to the complex for training and hands-on experience operating the newest innovations from Bobcat.

The contractor for the project is Comstock Construction Inc. of Wahpeton. When complete, the entire project ??? including the original building built in 2005 ??? will mark a $35 million investment by Bobcat in the Northern Plains Commerce Centre in Bismarck.