Todd Halverson (far left), electric superintendent for the City of Vermillion, and Wade Sand (far right), MRES energy services field representative, present a check to Dan Brinkman (middle left), engineering manager at Masaba; Dustin Bucholtz (middle right), director of technical services at Masaba, representing $38,278 in energy efficiency rebates awarded to Masaba through the Bright Energy Solutions program. The rebate recognizes energy-saving upgrades to lighting and HVAC systems in Masaba’s newly expanded 147,500-square-foot manufacturing facility in Vermillion.

A Vermillion, South Dakota, company is reaping the benefits of making smart energy decisions.

In July, Masaba, Inc., a leading manufacturer of mining and aggregate equipment, received $38,278 in energy efficiency rebates through the Bright Energy Solutions (BES) program for their newly expanded manufacturing facility in Vermillion. The rebates were earned through strategic upgrades to lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the 147,500-square-foot addition to their existing 211,000-square-foot plant.

These upgrades weren’t just about saving money; they reflect Masaba’s deep commitment to long-term sustainability and smart business practices. The project was a true team effort between Masaba, their design engineers, Vermillion Light & Power (VLP) and Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), with Todd Halverson, electric superintendent for the City of Vermillion, and Wade Sand, energy services field representative with MRES, playing key roles in guiding the project through rebate qualification.

“We’ve always had a strong working relationship with Masaba,” said Halverson. “They consistently reach out to us when they’re planning new equipment or expansion. This open communication helps us connect them with energy efficiency programs like Bright Energy Solutions that can bring real value.”

The rebate process was smooth, thanks to ongoing collaboration. Masaba worked closely with VLP and MRES, meeting just a few times during the process. From beginning to end, the teams kept the project moving efficiently.

Masaba Energy Efficiency Payback

  • LED Lighting Rebate: $29,026
    • Demand Savings: 121.06 kW
    • Annual Energy Savings: 683,398 kWh
  • HVAC Rebate: $9,250
    • Demand Savings: 36.01 kW
    • Annual Energy Savings: 199,195 kWh

Masaba’s decision to prioritize energy efficiency in the expansion was driven by the scale of the new space, 120,000 square feet of production area and 27,500 square feet of office space, which promised to be a significant energy user. Recognizing this, Masaba reached out early in the planning phase to partner with VLP and MRES. “We brought Todd and Wade in before the blueprints were even finalized to make sure energy efficiency was part of the plan from day one,” Dustin Buchholtz, Masaba director of technical services, explained.

“Their hands-on approach, walking the site, identifying rebates and suggesting practical improvements, was invaluable. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. They make the entire process incredibly simple,” Buchholtz said.

“This is a great example of how utilities and businesses can work together to support energy-smart growth,” said Wade Sand. “Masaba’s expansion reflects a vision for the future, and energy efficiency is part of that vision.”

Masaba encourages other businesses to explore programs like BES, noting that the support and savings are well worth the effort, whether building new or upgrading existing facilities.

Masaba’s new state-of-the-art fabrication facility began processing steel in May 2025, and the company hosted an official grand opening on Oct. 16, 2025, welcoming the community, partners and employees to tour the facility and celebrate this major milestone.

To discover how your utility can help local businesses tap into energy efficiency rebates and resources, visit: brightenergysolutions.com.