By Scout Nelson
Agristo, a renowned potato processing company, has selected Grand Forks, North Dakota, as the site for its first production facility in the United States. The proposed $450 million investment is expected to create between 250 and 350 jobs, significantly impacting the local economy.
The decision to establish the plant in Grand Forks hinges on securing an infrastructure and tax incentives package, as well as competitive rail rates from BNSF Railway. If these conditions are met, the company plans to break ground in 2025, with the facility becoming operational by 2028.
Keith Lund, President & CEO of the local Economic Development Corporation, expressed enthusiasm for the project, citing the Red River Valley's fertile lands as ideal for such a venture. The plant is expected to serve as a catalyst for value-added agricultural processing in the region.
Support for Agristo's initiative has been widespread, including from Mayor Brandon Bochenski, Governor Kelly Armstrong, Senator John Hoeven, and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. They collectively emphasized the project's potential to diversify and strengthen the regional and state economy, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Founded in 1983 in Belgium by Antoon Wallays and Luc Raes, Agristo has grown to include facilities in several countries, demonstrating a successful track record in the potato processing industry. The company's leadership, now in the hands of the founders' children, continues to drive expansion and innovation.
Agristo's decision to expand into the United States followed extensive research and collaboration with local agronomists and leaders in states like Wisconsin and North Dakota, focusing on the regions' capabilities to support the production of European potato varieties.
The Grand Forks City Council recently moved the project forward by approving a memorandum of understanding with Agristo. This agreement marks a significant step towards realizing a project that promises to bolster the local economy through enhanced agricultural productivity and job creation.
The community's support and the strategic advantages of the location have made Grand Forks a promising hub for Agristo's North American operations.
Photo Credits:usda
Categories: North Dakota, Business, General