Bobcat Company has officially broken ground on its $20 million renovation and expansion to create the Acceleration Center in Bismarck, North Dakota, USA. When complete, the Acceleration Center will be a modern complex for advancing innovation where professionals utilize technology and modern design to maintain Bobcat’s position in the compact equipment industry.
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 160,000ft2 of modern workspace. Additionally, a 35,000ft2 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. Company president Rich Goldsbury was the master of ceremonies for the groundbreaking event, while North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp, U.S. Representative Kevin Cramer, and Bismarck Mayor John Warford were on hand to make the ceremonial turn of dirt, which included the use of Bobcat® equipment to mark the moment.