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N.D. (AP) – Bobcat Co. is investing million in an expansion and renovations in Bismarck, about 3  1/2 years after closing its manufacturing plant in the North Dakota capital and laying off nearly 500 workers.

Bobcat on Monday broke ground on a $20 million research-and-development facility at its existing site at the Northern Plains Commerce Centre. Construction is expected to be done in about a year. The company is spending another $15 million on renovations to the existing facility. Bobcat has hired an additional 135 people for the expanded facility, bringing its workforce in Bismarck to 625.

West Fargo-based Bobcat makes compact construction equipment. It has about 1,000 independent dealers in more than 100 countries and bills itself as North Dakota’s largest manufacturer. It also has sites in Fargo, Gwinner and Wahpeton.