In the 75 years since Sidney's Holly Sugar opened its doors for business, the company has had a tremendous economic impact in Sidney and the surrounding area. Through the years, Sidney's sugar refinery has employed many workers, purchased the beet crop from growers, paid substantial taxes, procured goods and services from local businesses and merchants, and in many less obvious ways contributed to the overall economic and social good of the community. Holly's important presence in the community has not abated over the years, and today, the sugar factory continues to enhance the economic health of the area.

The community benefits from the presence of Holly Sugar in many obvious ways. Today, Sidney Holly Sugar employs 80 people on a year round basis. During campaigns (September through March), the payroll swells to nearly 250, and during peak harvest, the company employs a total of 350 workers. Total local annual payroll, including benefits, comes to more than $7,500,000.

The Sidney plant also has approximately 260 contracted growers, with a total of nearly 750 contracts made to those growers. Annual beet payments range from $40,000,000 to $60,000,000.

Holly also obtains needed materials locally whenever possible. The company purchases nearly $685,000 worth of coal from Knife River Mine, near Savage. The company obtains its limerock, at a cost of $1,100,000, from Warren, MT. Electricity and natural gas purchased from MDU in Sidney costs the company an additional $990,000. Transystems receives nearly two million dollars to haul beets from the various beet receiving stations in to the Holly factory. Sugar, pulp pellets and lime rock transportation adds another $6,700,000 to company expenditures. Disbursements in Sidney and Richland County with merchants and contractors adds another million dollars to the amount of money Holly Sugar spends in the community.

Sidney's Holly Sugar pays substantial taxes in the community, with the bulk of those taxes going to the schools. The company also works closely with both the Eastern Ag Research Station and the USDA/ARS Research Lab in Sidney, researching all aspects of sugar beets.

The community also benefits from Holly's presence in the town in other, less obvious ways. The company has made numerous contributions to the food bank, and has given donations to other organizations through the years. Holy Sugar sponsors an annual basketball tournament, the Holly Sugar Shoot-Out, in the fall for girls' Class C basketball.

The company also awards a yearly four-year scholarship, worth $500 per year, to a deserving senior. Awarding officials base the scholarship on both achievement and need. All seniors within the sugar beet growing area, from Williston to Miles City, are eligible to win the scholarship award.

The Sidney factory also has always had active membership on the Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Randy Jones, agriculturist at the Sidney plant, serves on the Chamber Agriculture Committee. Russ Fullmer, agriculture manager at the plant, has participated as an active member on the Richland Economic Development Board for several years. Various factory managers have belonged to different community service clubs in Sidney.

Holly Sugar has become a true rock in this community. Their 75-year presence in the area has greatly enhanced the health and agricultural stability of the entire region.