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In this Issue:
Friday, September 29, 2023
LANGDON LOCKER UNDERGOING MAJOR EXPANSION
Volume 2, Number 38
Sixth annual Pembina-Walsh Youth Manufacturing Day to be held Oct. 4
By Borderland Press Staff
News: Cavalier County Health District urges respiratory immunizations, Pg. A2
Tyler Bodnar said being the third-generation to own and run the Langdon Locker makes the business’s current expansion project a top priority. United Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation will use a $1,500,000 loan to assist Langdon Locker, LLC with the expansion of its operations through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. The expansion is meant to allow the company to process and store more products for individuals and commercial buyers. The loan was announced on Aug. 28 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development as part of $10 million to help rural cooperatives and utilities build and improve electric infrastructure and increase electric grid reliability and security in rural North Dakota.
Ag: The Sheep Ranchers Wife, Pg. A3
State Director Erin Oban said the $1.5 million loan for the locker will be used to improve electric infrastructure in Langdon, while improving meat processing capacity and storage, too. Since the pandemic, USDA has taken several steps in an effort to expand and improve small and medium sized meat processing capacity around the nation.
and hog suppliers near Langdon, Cando/Egland, and Forest River for Langdon Locker products. “They’re excited about this, too because it’s something they enjoy - raising their animals and seeing them consumed locally. It means more to them having a neighbor reaping the benefits of their work,” Bodnar said. The expansion has gone from a frame of steel beams earlier this month to being tinned on the outside and ready for the floor to be poured on the inside, hopefully next week. Bodnar believes the entire project could be completed this year, provided no major hold ups occur like backorder issues with refrigeration units. His vision for the original building is to keep it and make it strictly a retail area with display cases and a pick up Photos by Terry Hinnenkamp.
Photo taken at Bordertown Retail Systems in Neche during last year’s Manufacturing Day event, where about 165 seventh graders from seven area schools participated. Borderland Press File Photo.
Six Pembina County manufacturers are participating: American Crystal Sugar, Drayton Bordertown Retail Systems, Neche CVR Industries, Neche Food First, Walhalla Motorcoach Industries, Pembina Woodside Industries, Cavalier
“We have a number of programs available to try to really shore up some of these gaps in the food supply chain that COVID especially pronounced for us,” according to Oban, “but that we know has been a challenge for a long time in America.” Sports: Cardinal golfers compete at state tournament, Pg. B1
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Two Walsh County manufacturers are participating: Marvin, Grafton Harriston Industries, Minto
Bodnar took over the Langdon Locker after his father passed away in 2012 and sees it as a way to keep his father’s legacy going while keeping the business thriving for the community.
About 190 seventh grade students from nine area schools will each get to tour two manufacturing businesses and hear from young ambassadors about modern manufacturing and the path they took to get to their career. Manufacturing is one of the leading employers in both Pembina and Walsh counties, providing more than 1,000 jobs. The goal of Youth Manufacturing Day is to help change the perception
“It’s something I’ve done since being a little kid. I’ve been there since I was old enough to walk,” Bodnar said. “I’ve been in some way or form helping out around there, and I’ve spent a lot of time there even as a child. I guess, to me, it’s very sentimental and something that I don’t want to see go away.”
AROUND HERE? Get to know The Langdon Locker is federally-cerBorderland Press. The tified for meat processing, making
bacon, sausage, hamburger, and custom processing for local ranchers and retail for restaurants.
AD RESERVATION DEADLINE: “Our biggest mix is our sausage that 5 p.m., Monday EDITORIAL DEADLINE: Noon, Tuesday Contact our sales team at sales@theborderlandpress.com. Contact our editorial team with ideas, photos, and written copy at editor@theborderlandpress. com. WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? Call 701-256-5311 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
we currently make. We make three to four thousand pounds per week throughout the year, and once we get this up and we start moving towards hopefully the Minneapolis, Wisconsin area and maybe into Iowa, we’d like to see that number grow closer to 10,000 pounds a week,” Bodnar said. The sausage's popularity has grown by word of mouth, and in the winter, the Langdon Locker ships it all over the United States as far west as Seattle and as far south as Texas.
“People try it, people like it,” Bodnar said. “It’s something I think has a lot of potential, and it’s something I’d really like to see grow.” With the expansion, Bodnar also hopes to be able to process more meat for local ranchers, who otherwise have to travel a couple hundred miles. He hopes with more capacity, they won’t have to turn anybody away.
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Church/Obituaries Pages A8 - A9 Public Notices Pages A10 - A11 Classifieds Page A12 Sports Pages B1 - B7
The JDA received a grant from Impact Dakota to help offset the costs of the event. Impact Dakota is North Dakota’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership offering training and consulting to manufacturing businesses.
area for customers. “That way it will be a little bit more friendly for all parties,” he said. “It will just be nice having that separation.” With the new facility and the ability to add more efficiency, Bodnar hopes the expansion will provide more opportunities for growth and development. He would like to see Langdon Locker products, especially the sausage, take hold in the midwest. He also envisions moving into case-ready meats to help with local grocery store supply. He is grateful all of these ideas can become a reality. “I’d just really like to thank United Telephone. I mean, what they’re doing for me is what made this work out. I don’t know if I would have made this jump without them and their willingness to tie in with me,” Bodnar said. “I’m extremely blessed and happy that they were willing to do this, and I’m excited to give this area and this community a big asset in the community. That’s what I’m excited about. I can’t thank them enough, and I can’t thank the community enough for all
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Submitted photo.
cont’d. on page A14
Students and teachers at Edmore Public School participated in a group art event on Thursday, Sept. 21. Shari Frith came to the school and brought out the inner artists in the group.
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“We have some of the most beautiful sunsets in our school because of it!” said Diane Martinson, Edmore Public School principal.
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The Pembina County and the Walsh County Job Development Authorities (JDAs) work closely with the area schools, manufacturers and North Valley Career and Technology Center to plan the Youth Manufacturing Day events.
Brush strokes lead to beautiful sunsets
He’s also proud of utilizing local beef
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of the manufacturing industry and inspire next-generation workers to pursue a career in modern manufacturing, while also retaining workforce in our rural communities. One of the keys to maintaining population and creating successful businesses is educating young people about the available opportunities in the towns where they live.
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Frith comes from Devils Lake for painting classes three times a year and leads painting classes for the school. Find more pictures from the day on our Views from the Borderland page.