Despite Closures, Hope Endures In Power County

With Double L Manufacturing leaving American Falls, Power County has lost another major employer.

First Simplot left, and now Double L; that is a tough 1-2 punch for the region.

Leaders in Power County admit losing plants and employers is tough.

“Will that hurt us? Sure it will hurt us because of the number of people in Power County that depend on that for a livelihood,? Power County Commissioner Delane Anderson said.

But Double L isn’t closing its doors in American Falls because of tough economic conditions. The company that creates harvesters and planters for potato farming has been growing and expanding while based in American Falls.

But it needs more room, so it’s getting moved to a larger plant in Heyburn.

“The equipment continually gets bigger and bigger and bigger. So their need has grown. They became a worldwide industry of manufacturing potato equipment,? Anderson said.

People in the county are working to bring in new employers.

“It’s not going to be a quick replacement, but we will look for opportunities to bring jobs back in any way that we can,? Great Rift Business Development Organization Director Kristen Jensen said.

Anderson said the county is working on ways to get the jobs in the community, that will entice the next generation to come back after college.

“What is it that we can bring here that will attract good-paying jobs for well-educated people to come back here? That’s what we’re after,? Anderson said.

Looking ahead, county leaders say there’s reasons for optimism and worry.

“I believe there is hope for our community and I’m excited about that for the opportunities that lie ahead,? Jensen said.

“There’s a lot of worry on the commissioners’ part. I won’t deny that at all,? Anderson said.