Citing the high cost of doing business in Washington, the frustrated owner of a substantial Auburn company is moving out of state.

Northwest Territorial Mint – one of the largest private mints in the world and a part of the Auburn business climate for 28 years – has purchased a competitor in Nevada and plans to move its operations to the Silver State next year, said Ross Hansen, the mint company’s CEO.

“It’s unfortunate,” Hansen said. “It was not a decision made lightly. … We decided to come to Nevada because of its business-friendly environment.”

The Auburn firm bought Medallic Art Co., and plans to shift its corporate headquarters to Dayton, Nev., located about 12 miles east of Carson City. A 118,000-square-foot building will allow Northwest Territorial Mint to combine efforts with Medallic and expand operations, according to Hansen.

Hansen said the pullout from Auburn should be completed by January, with plans of having the bulk of the Dayton operation in place by late September or early October of next year.

The move could possibly bring about 200 new jobs to the Lyon County area 40 miles southeast of Reno, according to officials. Hansen estimated that 75-100 employees will be moving to the area, including executives, artists, sculptors and skilled craftsmen.

Northwest Mint employs about 200 people. The company produced more than $200 million in gross sales last year, Hansen estimated. The firm, a precious metals dealer, provides full-service custom minting to a wide clientele, notably the military, corporations and government.

“We have very good people here,” Hansen said. “While nobody likes to be uprooted, they understand the business decision we made. They have been supportive.”

Hansen said his company had no choice but to look elsewhere to do businesses. In the wake of a recession, the company has faced rising costs of doing business, a disadvantage to its market, Hansen said.

“I’ve recently been hit with new taxes, which makes us uncompetitive,” he said. “I went to the state Legislature to fix it, but they didn’t. They are long on promises, short on actions.

“In five years, I couldn’t get the governor (Christine Gregoire) to come here … and she’s from Auburn,” Hansen continued. “Then I pick up a phone and the governor and lieutenant governor from Nevada respond immediately. They wanted to do business with us.”

The Auburn Reporter contacted Gregoire’s office about the firm’s move. No statement has been issued.

Hansen has been disappointed in the support from local and state leaders.

“I’ve been kicked by the City of Auburn and by the state for a long time,” he said. “I describe Washington as a beautiful woman with a terrible personality. It’s a beautiful place to live, but …

“In 28 years, I’ve never had a City official visit us,” Hansen said. “Every time we have dealings with the City, it has been negative.”

But Mayor Pete Lewis offered praise and regret regarding Hansen’s decision to relocate.

“I am sorry to hear that we are losing an Auburn business,” Lewis said in a statement submitted to the Reporter. “Mr. Hansen is noted for his fine engraving skills.

“As a part of the Auburn Noon Lions Board of Directors at the time of Auburn’s Centennial, Jim Weese and I thought the City should have its own coin honoring the event. And when the City did not agree, Jim and I got the Lions Board to approve it, and we went to Mr. Hansen to produce one.

“I have one of the original set pieces in my office. It is exceptional work, and Jim and I brought the club to the mint as these coins were being produced.

“Mr. Hansen is a rare talent and he will be missed.”

Nevada actually was the mint’s second choice. Hansen said the company explored the possibility of moving the company to northern Idaho, but the Northern Nevada Development Authority officials successfully courted Northwest Mint to its region.

Hansen said the company will be looking to hire 75 to 150 employees from Nevada beginning in September. These employees would be added to the 20 employees currently working at Medallic Art.

“I know unemployment is high in Lyon County, and we want to help,” Hansen told the Nevada Appeal.

Hansen added that his company won’t begin to take applications or conduct any hiring until after the company can move its core people to the area, which will likely be September.

For Hansen, the business decision to move wasn’t as painful as the personal one.

“I have family and history here,” he said. “But there comes a time when enough is enough.”