Eds: APNewsNow.

WEST Fargo, N.D. (AP) The chief executive officer of the American Wind Energy Association took a tour of a wind tower plant in West Fargo as part of her campaign to promote wind energy.

Denise Bode said the wind energy industry is seeing growth in manufacturing jobs and North Dakota is in a prime position to be a leader.

Bode toured the DMI Industries plant Thursday. DMI laid off about 160 workers earlier this year but President Stephan Nielson said the work force has leveled out and the outlook for next year looks strong.

Fargo-based DMI is a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corp., of Fergus Falls, Minn. DMI said in April that after the layoffs, it had about 200 workers at its West Fargo plant.

Information from: KCND-FM, http://www.prairiepublic.org (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-12-09 1828CST | save this article / add to your favorites list