By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Manufacturing provides close to 4,000 highly skilled, well-paying jobs in Otter Tail County which significantly contributes to the county’s high standard of living. County commissioners point out that there are close to 86 manufacturing companies in the county, making a wide range of products.

To that end county commissioners, on Oct. 8, proclaimed October 2024 as Manufacturing Month in Otter Tail County.

‘Workers take home more than $230 million in annual wages from Otter Tail County manufacturing jobs,” said County Board Chairman Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood, “representing the largest total payroll among private sector industries.”

Mortenson added that the manufacturing industry also is a critically important part of Minnesota’s and Otter Tail County’s diverse economy. Manufacturing contributed more than $22 billion to Minnesota’s economy in 2023, representing close to 12 percent of the state’s gross domestic product.

“Manufacturing here in Otter Tail County and throughout Minnesota results in a wide range of products that improves lives,” Mortenson added.