dalrymple-GovBISMARCK  (CSi)   Gov. Jack Dalrymple today said he is pleased that the CHS Board of Directors has approved final plans to build a nitrogen fertilizer plant near Jamestown, N.D.  CHS Inc. expects to invest about $3 billion to build a plant that will convert natural gas into fertilizers, providing the region’s farmers with greater supplies of nutrients essential for crop production.

“The board’s approval to move ahead on this major project is great news for our farmers and for the entire state of North Dakota,” Dalrymple said. “The plant will create jobs and provide our farmers with a reliable supply of fertilizers. At the same time, the CHS plant compliments our continued efforts to utilize and add value to the abundant supplies of natural gas produced in western North Dakota.”

Dalrymple spoke with CHS President and CEO Carl Casale following the cooperative’s board meeting.  The governor and officials at the North Dakota Department of Commerce have continued to assist CHS in developing the project ever since the cooperative began studying the project’s feasibility in 2012.

The fertilizer plant will be the single largest private investment project ever undertaken in North Dakota and the single largest investment in CHS history.  CHS officials said the plant will employ between 160 and 180 workers.

CHS plans to build the plant on a 640-acre site near the Spiritwood Energy Park.  The fertilizer plant will produce more than 2,400 tons of ammonia daily that will be distributed as urea and UAN liquid fertilizer. The fertilizers will be distributed to farmers and farm supply retailers in North Dakota and South Dakota as well as parts of Minnesota, Montana and Canada.

CHS officials plan to complete the plant’s construction and by operational ready in the first half of 2018.

 

CramerKevinBISMARCK (CSi)   Friday Congressman Kevin Cramer issued the following statement on the announcement CHS Inc. will proceed with constructing a $3 billion fertilizer manufacturing plant in Spiritwood, N.D.:

“This is a historic investment which will help shape the future development of North Dakota agriculture and energy. The plant will continue the rich tradition of our two largest industries working together and adding value, taking advantage of our abundance of natural gas and turning it into fertilizer to meet the needs of our farmers. I congratulate CHS on their remarkable investment in North Dakota’s future.”