ELGIN, ND – More than a year after a devastating fire that destroyed most of the John Deere dealership in Elgin, ND, Gooseneck Implement has announced plans to build a new facility in Elgin.

This new facility will house the parts, sales and service all in one location. Currently, these three departments are in separate buildings. This new investment will allow for many improvements such as increased efficiencies amongst the departments, one site for customers to visit, improved parts storage and a safer work environment for the Gooseneck employees.

Jamie Melgaard, CEO of Gooseneck Implement, said they are currently reaching out to contractors and finalizing plans for an addition to the current shop in Elgin. Melgaard said they expect to begin groundwork as soon as possible, hopefully by this spring.

Despite being in a small town, the location in Elgin provides support to farmers in five counties and nearly 2,500 farmers and ranchers. Additionally, the Elgin location currently employs 15 people in parts, sales and service. Russ Rebel, Elgin store manager, is very excited about this investment.

“This new store will allow our customers and employees the opportunity for more growth and expansion,” said Rebel. “This also allows us an opportunity to take on new customers and add new employees as well.”

Rebel went on to say that it will give the Elgin location the much-needed room to expand the parts department, as well as the service department.

“We look forward to seeing this new development take place during the next several months and continue to bring the Gooseneck Experience to the city of Elgin, our customers and the surrounding area,” Rebel said.

Ron Bartz, Mayor of Elgin, was very excited to learn about this new facility. “This means the world to this community,” Bartz said. “It’s a huge deal for me as a business owner also. The Gooseneck customers are also my customers, so it helps us all.”

Aaron Levorsen, Chairman of the Elgin EDC, shared Mayor Bartz’s excitement about this investment.

“This shows that Gooseneck is committed to this community and the producers,” Levorsen said. “The spinoff from this is that when farmers come to town to buy parts, they’re also stopping at the grocery store, the bank, the café and so on. So it helps other businesses in the community as well.”