BrownfieldAgNews reports:
A major potato processor has chosen Grand Forks, North Dakota as the site for a new plant to make frozen potato products.
In a statement, Agristo says it chose the North Dakota as its first U.S. location for their high-quality potato farming, availability of potatoes, and sufficient market scale for its private label products.
The new 350-acre plant will cost more than 450 million dollars and create between 300 and 350 direct jobs in addition to the economic impact to the area’s agricultural economy.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin was under consideration for the new plant. State of Wisconsin, county, and local officials spent much of the past year preparing for the possible Agristo expansion with infrastructure projects and creation of a special tax incremental financing district but was not awarded the project.
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven assisted in securing the Grand Forks selection. In a statement, he says the deal is contingent upon finalizing the incentive plan for the project and transportation rates with BNSF railroad.
Agristo has processing plants in Belgium, India, the Netherlands, and one under construction in France.
