PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota officials plan to attend an event in Minnesota next week as part of an effort to attract companies that make medical devices.

Representatives of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and officials from Aberdeen, Mitchell, Vermillion and Watertown will attend the Medical Design and Manufacturing Exposition in Minneapolis on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

State economic development commissioner J. Pat Costello says the officials will seek to persuade companies that make medical devices to expand or relocate in South Dakota.

Officials say South Dakota currently has 25 businesses that manufacture medical devices and equipment. Those companies employ more than 1,500 people with an average annual salary of more than $36,000.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)