In December 2023, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and State Senator Dan Bartel announced that Germany-based VACOM, a global supplier of vacuum components and measurement technology, decided to establish its new U.S. headquarters in the city of Lewistown. In all, the German company’s investment in Lewistown has an estimated value of $90 million and is expected to create 500 jobs by 2029.
“Our state is made stronger when companies like VACOM choose to do business in Montana, providing our kids and grandkids the opportunity to thrive in a good-paying job, and raise their family in the community they love,” said Gianforte. “We’re thrilled to welcome VACOM, and the many good-paying jobs and opportunities it will bring, to Lewistown.”
A family-owned company, VACOM’s proposed 40,000-square-foot manufacturing site will serve as its American headquarters and will include a daycare center for employee children and an employee training center.
Why choose Lewistown?
According to a Lewistown News-Argus news report, VACOM President Jens Bergner received over 1,000 offers from different locations across 5 states in the U.S.
And while other cities might have better access to airports, interstate highways, and larger labor pools, Montana Department of Commerce’s Director of Marketing and Communications Mitch Staley said what sold the company on Lewistown is the state’s generous tax incentives, the city’s already-established industrial hub, and Montana’s growing population of ranchers.
“While VACOM has nothing to do with ranching, it needs what ranchers have, often a family member needing a ‘city job’ for the steady paycheck and health insurance. And, ranchers are a great source of talent for VACOM as they know how machines work and how to keep them working,” explained Staley.
Bartel also said, “VACOM will offer an opportunity for the agricultural industry around here to subsidize ranch jobs, a chance to come to Lewistown, and get supplemental income.”
Montana’s agriculture and ranching brings in around $5 billion in gross revenue annually, making it the state’s largest sector. According to the 2020 state agricultural report, 58.1 million acres of Montana is farm or ranch land.
“Our business climate has been set up in a way, with several different programs and opportunities, that any new or existing business can leverage those to everyone’s advantage regardless of one’s industry,” Staley said. “Every business has the same opportunity to grow here or come here and grow.”
