BROOKINGS — 3M announced plans for a sizeable investment to expand its Brookings plant in a news release Wednesday.

According to the release, the company will begin with a $158 million expansion of the plant, which includes 16 additional shipping docks, an 8,000-slot warehouse and 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space as well as added  laboratory and office space. Over the next three years 3M could potentially invest a total of $468 million in additional phases of development. 

3M Brookings broke ground in 1969 and is the company’s first and largest health care manufacturing facility. Since production started in 1971 there have been several expansions. The plant is currently 667,000 square feet and employs more than 1,000 people who produce medical and surgical products. 

Brookings Economic Development Corp. CEO Tim Reed said he is thrilled 3M selected Brookings for this extensive expansion.  

“3M has long been an outstanding corporate citizen, and we are excited that the company has once again chosen Brookings for another multimillion-dollar investment,” Reed said. “The Brookings Economic Development Corporation works closely with the City of Brookings and other economic development partners to ensure Brookings is an excellent place to do business. We’re proud to support 3M in its plans to expand in our community.” 

In a phone interview with The Register, Reed said the expansion would add about 17 net jobs to the community, as well as the construction work — but more importantly, would prevent jobs from leaving Brookings, as well. 

“It’s likely the company was going to end up with some head count leaving Brookings, so the gross number is more like 65 jobs,” Reed said.

Both city officials and 3M emphasized the expansion was yet another sign of the company’s commitment to Brookings and the Brookings plant.  

“3M is proud to have been a part of the growing community of Brookings for more than 50 years. This expansion will help Brookings and 3M support our great employees in making health care products used in the U.S. and around the world,” , 3M Brookings Plant Director James Burkhardt said in the release.

Brookings Mayor Oepke “Ope” Niemeyer said Brookings will consider using a portion of tax increment financing and sales tax rebates to invest in the 3M expansion.

Both items would be up to the Brookings City Council. A TIF, generally spread over 20 years, would refund some of 3M’s property tax burden for use financing the project. Possible sales tax rebates would give back some of the city’s sales tax revenue from the purchase of equipment. 

“For more than 50 years, 3M has been a valued member of our community,” Niemeyer said in the realease. “The City Council and I consider 3M an asset to Brookings. We’re pleased that 3M is part of Brookings, and we’re proud to help support its growth and sustainability in our vibrant community. The city’s commitment to be an inclusive community makes Brookings a welcoming, supportive and engaging place for all businesses and people to find the foundations for success.”  

Niemeyer continued, “It’s not uncommon for 3M Brookings employees to spend their entire career at the Brookings plant and retire with more than 40 years of service. These employees contribute to the economic engine and overall well-being of Brookings and our surrounding towns. They are our family, friends, and neighbors, and they benefit to our communities in countless ways.”