Menu
3M marks 35 years in Nevada
By Colette Lefebvre-Davis
Nevada Daily Mail
Nevada, Mo. -- Thirty-five years ago, one of the largest employers in the area opened its doors.
Getting to that point was a long road for 3M. There were many facets of bringing the plant to town that had to be addressed, like negotiations with local chamber members and bonds that needed to be issued. Then there was the famous Midwestern weather which limited construction activity at times.
Plans were being made as early as 1966, and it took years from the time the idea was first conceived to the first work day, but step by step, it happened. Now, 35 years later, 3M is looking toward its seventh expansion and continues in the business of producing a wide array of graphics materials that go on a wide variety of products, ranging from small signs to vehicle wraps to huge graphic media on the sides of business. Quietly, with little fanfare and less notice by the general public, the facility ships 10,000 orders per month from the plant -- 5 million square yards of materials.
As 1970 passed and construction activity could be seen as proof positive that the plant would open, bringing with it new opportunity for the area, locals were ecstatic. The city of Nevada passed a special ordinance that authorized the sale of 15.5 million in revenue bonds. Economists believed that the plant would allow Nevada's population to rise, and it did. In December of 1968, the Nevada Daily Mail reported that the slowly rising population was at 11,200. As the population rose, so, too, did the need for housing, larger schools and more jobs. 3M, Crane company and Community Lumber moved into Nevada.
Then the city annexed the state hospital, planned on building a middle school that would service grades 5-8 and Missouri Public Service received a power increase of 400,000 kilowatts.
The Nevada Daily Mail reported in late 1970 that the 3M plant was 85 to 90 percent complete. The paper also reported that "the plant uses chemicals to make its own raw materials for use in manufacturing items which cover a wide range."
Officials reported at the time that the plant could only hold 125 persons. Less than 10 percent of these workers were reported as being female, and most females worked in the offices. It spurred an accelerated building campaign, with a new mobile home village, 42-unit apartment complex and several housing tracts being built. The early '70s were part of a building boom in Nevada. As the Vietnam War ended, optimism began to flood the country. Nevada's 3M, felt it too, and in February of 1972, 3M was reportedly getting into the swing of things and wishing everyone a happy day. The Happy Day campaign was promoted by workers, and a flag that sported a smiley face waved to all who passed by the plant.
On Saturday, 3M hosted an open house in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Dave Clauss, the current general manager of the 3M plant, said that the open house was an opportunity to show people in the community what goes on inside. The first tour began at 9 am and the last at 2 p.m." said Clauss.
The 3M plant of Nevada produces vinyl films and graphics, that as Clauss explained are put on truck trailers for advertising among some of the vinyl's uses. 3M also produces, sandpaper, Scotchbrite, Thinsulate and various adhesive tapes.
"We have 60,000 different products." said Clauss.