Badger Holdings, LLC, a company focused on the creation and management of knowledge-based businesses, has formed a new company called Value Recovery Services. Headquartered in North Sioux City, S.D., the company focuses its efforts on the refurbishment and resale of computing and consumer electronics products.

Since June 2004, Badger Holdings has helped create, fund, and manage seven different ventures and is currently in the development stages of several others. These ventures now employ more than 35 people with well over 400 years of combined experience in technology-based industry.

In addition to a wealth of experience, company executives and employees also have more than 200 patents granted or pending. Before founding Badger Holdings, LLC CEO Robert Burnett served as an executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO) at Gateway, Inc. Burnett is looking forward to continued growth in South Dakota. “We see our North Sioux City location as the engine for new company development,” said Burnett.

Jim Hagen, Secretary of Tourism and State Development noted the importance of Badger Holdings, LLC to the future of research and development in South Dakota.

“This is a company that is laying the groundwork for something that has never been done in this state before,” said Hagen. “The company has a unique background and unique experiences to help form a new vision for South Dakota.”

Hagen noted that the state provided the company with financial assistance to help train employees.

“These jobs are really the jobs of the future,” he said. “These are knowledge based positions that require a high degree of technical expertise. The state recognizes the additional expenses involved with training new employees so we stepped up to the plate financially to help with work force development costs.”

“We are very fortunate to have Badger Holdings in our community and are excited to welcome the most recent venture, Value Recovery Services, LLC,” said NSCEDC Executive Director Kory Menken. “With a favorable business climate and tax structure, North Sioux City is an ideal location for these businesses to grow and prosper. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with the entire Badger Holdings family.”

Menken also noted that Badger Holdings’ philosophy fit perfectly with his community’s efforts to leverage the diverse and talented workforce now available as a result of recent downsizing at Gateway.