POCATELLO — Built on 26 acres, the new Western States Caterpillar sales, service and training center on South Fifth Avenue encompasses 150,000 square feet — and that’s plenty of room to continue to grow the business.
Customer Service Representative Jim Phillips said the expansion has been in the works since 2014, and after a VIP reception on Tuesday that included Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, the facility hosted its grand opening Wednesday. Phillips said the new center will provide Caterpillar sales, service and rentals.
The expansion at Western State Caterpillar provides 15 to 20 new jobs that start at $18 to $20 per hour, Phillips said.
New technology and equipment at the facility will maximize efficiency as well as expanding service, Phillips said.
The new site opened for business last month.
Western States President Tom Harris said Caterpillar, which is headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, has 12 dealers in the Pacific Northwest, and he said the Pocatello store’s proximity to phosphate mines near Soda Springs and the Idaho National Laboratory added to the company’s decision to expand in Southeast Idaho.
“There is really a good economy here,” Harris said.
Harris also said tax incentives enacted by Idaho lawmakers helped the company expand.
The Western States expansion was annexed into the city on June 5, 2014.
According to the Idaho State Journal, the new center employs 115 workers and was completed at a cost of about $25 million. Western States was located on Garrett Way for six decades, and Harris said the new location on South Fifth Avenue promises to be around just as long.
Pocatello mayorr Brian Blad, left, greets Western State CAT employees during the ribbon cutting ceremony
“We’ve over-built this place,” Harris said. “We plan to be here another 60 years.”
Matt Hunter, CEO of the Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce, said the investment by Western States illustrates the momentum behind economic development in Southeast Idaho.
“Idaho is leading the nation, and Pocatello and Chubbuck are leading the state,” Hunter said.
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad cut the ribbon for the new Western States Caterpillar store, and he said that per capita, Idaho is also No. 1 in the nation for job growth.
Blad also said the new facility is the product of cooperation between the state, the cities of Chubbuck and Pocatello and Bannock County.
“For Western States to make this investment, it shows their commitment to the community,” Blad said. “You can’t build a facility like this without that commitment.”
Sean Haney has worked at Western State Caterpillar for the past seven years, and he said the expansion and the new store makes him feel good about Pocatello.
Bowe Southworth has worked for the company for the past six years, and he said the new facility means he’s here for the long haul.
“I can retire in 2050, and I plan to do it right here in Pocatello,” Southworth said.
Last month, Pocatello spokesman Logan McDougall said the annexation of Western States Caterpillar was done to keep jobs and tax revenue within Pocatello city limits.
By Debbie Bryce
