04.12.07

HOWARD, SOUTH DAKOTA - Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) toured Knight & Carver's Wind Blade production facility April 10 and encouraged the further development of wind power generation throughout the state and the country.

"South Dakota is blessed with a tremendous potential for producing and growing alternative energy," said Sen. Thune. "In addition to wind- and water-generated electrical power, South Dakota can play a vital role in expanding our nation's use of cleaner sources of energy."

He was accompanied by South Dakota State Assembly member Russ Olson, newly-appointed USDA Rural Development director Mike Jaspers and Randy Parry of the state's Miner County Community Revitalization project.

In addition to touring Knight & Carver, Sen. Thune also visited Energy Maintenance Service, which repairs wind turbines and is located next to Knight & Carver.

Sen. Thune re-emphasized his support of the wind power industry through the extension of the wind power tax credit, as part of the Tax Relief and Healthcare Act of 2006. "I will continue to support the tax credit and to place a very high priority on the development of South Dakota's wind power potential," he said. "As I know from growing up in Murdo (S.D.), South Dakota has an endless supply of wind."

Knight & Carver opened its Howard facility in March. Built on a 7.2 acre site in the Howard Industrial Park, the 26,000 square foot facility serves as the company's prime blade headquarters. The company is expected to employ as many as 25 full-time employees in 2007, with plans to expand to 50 employees within the first two years.

Howard is located in the southeast region of South Dakota, some 60 miles northwest of Sioux Falls, S.D. The plant's Industrial Production Manager is Larry Person.