A company looking to build a $400 million dollar soybean crushing plant has selected Grand Forks as the location for the facility.
Epitome Energy says the plant will be able to process 42 million bushels of soybeans per year into soybean oil…meal…and hulls. The company has executed a letter of intent on a greenfield location just north of Grand Forks that is in close proximity to rail and freeways.
Crookston (MN) had been on a short list of sites for the project but company CEO Dennis Egan says after a year-and-a-half wait for Minnesota to complete a review of permit applications the decision was made to explore the Grand Forks location. Egan says he has already discussed the plans with North Dakota Commerce and Bank of North Dakota officials.
In October the MPCA completed an environmental review and determined the project had minimal impact to groundwater and surface water but an air quality permit would be required to comply with federal regulations.
When fully operational it’s estimated the crush facility will create 50 to 60 permanent jobs.
Egan estimates the facility will strengthen farmers’ basis for soybeans by 20-25 cents per bushel.
Epitome is working with Fagen Inc. on the Engineering Procurement and Construction contract.
The company is looking to break ground in the summer of 2023, with operations set to begin in the fall of 2025.
—
In a prepared statement North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum says the investment will add value for soybean growers…support growth in renewable fuels…and strengthen the state’s overall economy.
Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski says the plant is an important piece of the puzzle for farmers who will need to reach new markets in the future.
Man Sentenced for Fleeing From Grand Forks County Deputy
(File image) (KNOX) - According to court documents an Eddy County man was ordered to serve four years behind bars for charges from a May 2024 incident in which he fled from Grand Forks County Sheriff's deputy. Kyle Kahalehili Maez-Schaack, 32, of New...
Apr 03, 2025
Project Could be Done on Greenway in Grand Forks
(File image) (KNOX) - A project could be done on the Flood Protection/Greenway System in Grand Forks. The area is located between 47th and 62nd Avenues South. It is city property but it wasn't initially developed as part of the Greenway System. Grand...
Apr 01, 2025
Grand Forks Man Sentenced in Abuse Case
(File image) (KNOX) - A Grand Forks man was sentenced to five years in prison for endangering and terrorizing his wife while she as she battled cancer. She died a month after she reported her husband's abuse. Legal records state that at 41-year-old J...
Mar 30, 2025
No Failures in Grand Forks Police Tobacco ID Compliance Checks
(File image) (KNOX) - The Grand Forks Police Department's Education and Outreach Bureau along with area under-age buyers conducted tobacco compliance checks last week. These tobacco compliance checks were done in compliance with SYNAR grant funding t...
Apr 01, 2025
