Through passion, hard work, and support from USDA Rural Development, Legend Air Suspensions has become a national and international success. Rural Development South Dakota State Director Elsie M. Meeks and Area Director Tim Potts visited the owner Jesse Jurrens recently to celebrate the accomplishments of his business, Independent Cycle Inc., dba Legend Air Suspensions.
USDA assisted the business through a Business and Industry Guaranteed loan in conjunction with First National Bank, Sturgis, South Dakota. Mr. Jurrens credits his refinance with the help of Rural Development, increased efficiencies, dedicated employees and internal cost saving measures that made the business not only stabilize but grow their net income this last year.
Jesse Jurrens, started the business in his parent’s basement in Watertown in late 1997 at age 18, he saw the benefits an air spring could have on a motorcycle and had a vision to applying this technology to a Harley Davidson Softail. The company has won several awards including Best New Product of 2000, Entrepreneur of the Year from the Small Business Administration in 2002, and received Trend Setter of the Year from Easy Rider magazine and Frame Designer of the Year in 2005.
Supplied by more than 200 American owned vendors, including local machining shops; the business is the only air suspension product made in the USA. “Our international sales have increased to over $500,000 a year,” said Jurrens. He expects to see further growth with their expansion into the utility, off-road, sport and recreation and fire/rescue vehicle market.
“This project is a perfect example of how faith and a lot of hard work can be the impetus for a business to succeed,” added Meeks.
