Redefining 'Mobile' Homes

Sometimes in life opportunity presents itself when following an unexpected path.

That is part of the history with a new company in Cheyenne County.

Ken Sawyer was a cabinet builder in the Denver area. He and his family then moved to South Dakota where he set homes and continued custom woodworking. In 2013, they decided it was time for a change and his wife accepted a position at Sidney Regional Medical Center. Ken, meanwhile, accepted a position at Cabela’s. Three years and an injury later, Sawyer was contacted by a former business partner. The proposal was to take over a yurt business. In 2014, Freedom Yurt Structures was founded. The definition of these yurts are far different from an octagonal tent; closer to a mini-house, with a different definition of portable.

The style and function of a house, a home, varies with the location and the budget.

There is one style of accommodation that is a variation of a tent, commonly known for its octagonal shape and portability, a yurt. Freedom Yurts of Sidney has brought up the quality of the homes with solid wood frames and panels. They are closer akin to a tiny house than a tent. The exception is a Freedom Yurt can be disassembled and transported to another location, panel by panel, and reassembled within a couple of days.

Freedom Yurts has the entire process, from design to shipping, from one location. Ceiling panels are built with a tongue and groove design. Roof covers are custom cut for each unit with 15-year warranty Duralast material. Everything from milling the posts to sewing the valences and awnings is done at the Sidney location. Sawyer says he and the staff are perfectionists, expecting nothing less than the best for customers. Each checks the other’s work to ensure the product reaches the highest quality possible. The asset of one location is the product and the process are easier to manage.

“I can oversee all of it here,” Sawyer says.

As of July, Freedom Yurts partnered with Adams Industries. The partnership offers assets including office support.

On July 28, the Sidney City Council gave approval to Freedom Yurts receiving an LB840 grant. In her presentation to the city council, Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard said the agreement is for $112,500. In exchange, Freedom Yurts Structures will be required to add at least 10 new jobs and create $450,000 in payroll. In the city council discussion, Norgard clarified that some of the positions are transfers from the former company, Freedom Yurts with Sawyer and his former partner. She said LB840 funds can be used for new staff or retention of present staff. The company sold 34 yurt cabins in the first half of this year with a goal of 26 more by the end of 2020, and 100 cabins in 2021.