ST. CLOUD - We're at story number 8 in our Top 10 countdown. Today, we revisit the day a German manufacturer announced plans to build their first American plant here in St. Cloud.

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Mayor Dave Kleis was one of those on-hand to welcome German company Geringhoff to St. Cloud, calling it an "exciting day with promise."

Geringhoff scouted over 40 factories around the country before choosing the former Donlin building for their first North American manufacturing center.

The company makes corn heads for combines. Doug Gruenes of the St. Cloud Area Development Corporation says St. Cloud’s access to local suppliers of fabricated metal, plastics production, hydraulics and electronics helped attract Geringhoff to the region.

Geringhoff has plans to hire 100 initial employees, build 5 prototypes by april and go into full production mode by fall of 2013.

Geringhoff is regarded worldwide as a leader in corn harvesting equipment.

The state of Minnesota also provided the company with a $500,000 loan.

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