PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A manufacturing company based in Elko, Minn., has announced it will relocate to South Dakota.

South Dakota economic development officials say American Engineered Products plans to hire 15 to 20 employees when it relocates to De Smet. The company makes telescoping flag poles and slot machine bases.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the company's decision to move to South Dakota shows the state has a business-friendly environment. He says more businesses are realizing that South Dakota has quality workers and offers an impressive lifestyle.

Audrey Saylor, the company's vice president of operations, says American Engineered Products wanted to move to a mid-sized community in South Dakota where it could cut its production costs. She says De Smet has an available building, and the company will begin operations there by Nov. 1.

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