WDIO News, Mesabi Daily News

VIRGINIA, Minnesota. – P&H Mining Equipment celebrated the groundbreaking of their new facility in Virginia. The 92,000 square foot building has been in the works for years. The new facility has multiple service bays including a welding bay, machine shop, warehouse bay and supporting offices. And, the 100-125 ton bridge crane will be used to remove large items from mining trucks.

City and regional leaders gathered for the golden shovel ceremony on Monday afternoon. Employee Tommy Grabanski said he's pleased to be getting a new building. "Our current building is cramped, it will be nice to get into some space," he said.

P&H leaders said that the workforce on the Iron Range is dedicated, and it's nothing short of a miracle they have such a low injury rating considering their cramped workspaces.

The city of Virginia is putting in almost $2 million dollars worth of infrastructure into the development.

P&H expects to be in the new building by summer of 2012.