STURGIS, SD  (2/7/12) –  Local and state economic development partners worked to expand the area’s firearms industry by participating in January’s 2012 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.  Representing the City of Sturgis, Meade County, and Black Hills Power, respectively, Rick Bush, Gary Cammack and Mutch Usera teamed up with Sturgis Economic Development Corp (SEDC) representatives Scott Sabers, Norma Allen, and Pat Kurtenbach in the SEDC exhibit booth at the world’s largest Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor, and Tactical Trade Show and Conference.  Representatives from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development were also on hand to discuss South Dakota’s business friendly environment.

SEDC has showcased the Sturgis area by exhibiting at the SHOT Show for over 20 years and continues see success as a result of the effort.  Sturgis is currently the home of the largest firearms manufacturing cluster in South Dakota.

“During last year’s show, we connected with several companies in various phases of business relocation,” said SEDC President Pat Kurtenbach.  “This year’s SHOT Show was an opportunity for us to strengthen relationships with these companies, to introduce others to the advantages of doing business here, and to continue to bring new economic development opportunities to the region.”

Relocating a business involves many partnerships and can take several years.  Bar-Sto Precision is the latest manufacturing recruit from the SHOT Show.  The auto pistol barrel manufacturer relocated to the Sturgis Industrial Park from California in Fall 2010 and has 12 employees. 

The SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world.  This year, it set an overall record-breaking attendance of more than 61,000, which included 1,600 exhibitors attracting industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries. 

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