Welder Opens Shop in Rural North Dakota, Fills Big Need

For residents of Leeds, North Dakota, getting welding work done used to mean a long drive. Not anymore, thanks to one hometown welder who turned a 20-year dream into reality.

Derrek Leapaldt opened Midwest Metalworks in fall 2025, becoming the first full-service welding shop in his rural community. After graduating from welding school in 2008 and spending years managing fabrication departments, he moved back to Leeds in 2014 with a plan to eventually open his own business.

He started small, taking on side projects in a single garage stall while working full-time. By 2024, he was ready to make it official, purchasing property and committing to building a complete shop.

But Leapaldt quickly realized his welding expertise didn't translate to business planning. He connected with the North Dakota Small Business Development Center, where advisor Ashley Louw helped him create financial projections and a formal business plan. The preparation paid off when he walked into the bank.

"They were very impressed with how well everything was put together," Leapaldt said. With his loan approved, construction moved forward quickly.

Today, Midwest Metalworks handles everything from decorative pieces to emergency repairs. For farmers facing equipment breakdowns during crucial planting or harvest seasons, having a skilled welder nearby means less downtime and lost income.

The Ripple Effect

In rural America, a single business can transform a community's daily life. Before Midwest Metalworks opened, Leeds residents often drove an hour or more for welding services, taking time away from their farms and businesses.

Now local farmers can get repairs done quickly, keeping their operations running smoothly. Small businesses have access to custom fabrication without the travel burden. Even homeowners benefit from having decorative metalwork options close to home.

"The satisfaction of my customers has to be the most rewarding aspect of it," Leapaldt said. "Knowing that they are happy with the product I am making, or the repairs I am doing for them makes it all worth it at the end of the day."

His success is already inspiring other Leeds business owners and showing what's possible when skilled tradespeople invest in their rural hometowns. As demand continues growing, Leapaldt is taking on larger projects and proving that rural communities can support specialized services when someone steps up to fill the need.