A steel fabrication company with decades of roots in Southeast Idaho is doubling down on the region with a major expansion that will create approximately 100 new jobs at the Pocatello Regional Airport.
SME Industries, which has operated in the Chubbuck-Pocatello area since the 1990s, officially introduced its new facility to local business leaders and city officials at a Thursday luncheon held at Chubbuck City Hall. The company is taking over the former Petersen Inc. metal fabrication site at 1463 Fortress Street, while maintaining its existing operations on Pole Line Road.
Steel Fabricator Expands to Meet Growing Demand
The expansion comes as SME Industries secures contracts across commercial, industrial, sports facility, and government sectors. James Hutchison, the company’s marketing director, said the decision to grow in Pocatello was driven by both opportunity and the availability of skilled workers.
“We’re winning and we need to find a way to get it done,” Hutchison said at the event. “Pocatello has the workforce that we are looking for, has skilled welders, craftsmen and hard workers. We’re trying to find the right people to put in our shops that can help us deliver a quality product to our customers.”
The steel fabrication and erection company serves multiple industries, building structures for everything from sports stadiums to airport expansions. Hutchison noted that large-scale construction projects create significant work volume that arrives in concentrated bursts, requiring both capacity and workforce flexibility.
Tech Sector Growth Fuels Expansion
Regional semiconductor expansion, including Micron Technology’s growing presence in Idaho, has opened new opportunities for SME Industries. The company has increasingly worked on technology infrastructure projects, including data centers and microchip manufacturing facilities.
“We have seen a huge rise in the tech space, whether it’s data centers or in microchips, and that’s been a huge advantage for us,” Hutchison said. “It has provided a lot of work that we’ve been able to secure and deliver on.”
MiaCate Kennedy I, CEO of Portneuf Valley Development Corp., said her organization worked closely with SME Industries to finalize the expansion, including a tax reimbursement incentive to encourage the company to remain and grow locally. Thursday’s luncheon aimed to connect the manufacturer with local business leaders and strengthen community ties.
Workforce Development and Community Partnerships
SME Steel is exploring partnerships with regional trade schools and educational institutions to build pathways for future workers. While no formal programs have been finalized, Hutchison said conversations about internships and career development are already underway.
“We want to have a larger presence here and be a part of the community,” he said. “Part of that is – what can we do to educate a future workforce? How can we more ingrain ourselves in the trade schools? How can we be a bigger part of the community?”
The company also plans to deepen its involvement with the Chubbuck-Pocatello Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations.
Kennedy emphasized the economic impact of the expansion, noting that the positions offer competitive wages and full benefits.
“These are amazing, good paying, fully benefited jobs that help the community,” she said. “This is a really good opportunity for the community to get jobs. We always hear there’s nothing coming, but there’s lots happening.”
What Comes Next
The new facility at the Pocatello Regional Airport will allow SME Steel to scale operations while maintaining quality standards across multiple industry sectors. The company’s ability to balance large project demands with workforce stability will be critical as it integrates the expanded capacity.
For Chubbuck and Pocatello, the expansion represents a vote of confidence in the region’s skilled labor pool and economic trajectory. As SME Industries establishes deeper community roots and formalizes workforce development partnerships, the manufacturer’s growth could position Southeast Idaho as a hub for advanced fabrication work tied to the region’s expanding technology sector.
Local officials and business leaders view the 100 new jobs as a tangible sign of economic momentum in Bannock County, countering perceptions that growth opportunities remain limited in the region.