Menards Store Could Create 200 Jobs in Pierre

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A Menards store planned for Pierre is expected to create between 150 and 200 jobs.

Mayor Laurie Gill says the expected $2.5 million in annual salaries will be a big boost for the local economy.

State labor statistics in July indicated that only about 250 people in the Pierre workforce were unemployed, but Gill says she doesn't anticipate Menards having any problems finding enough workers.

The store is scheduled to open in 2015. To finalize the deal, the city must finish developing the 17-acre site by next June. The city is planning to borrow $5.5 million to finish that project and also work on another 13 acres in the same area to make it ready for other businesses.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.