(KNOX) – A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday for the potato processing plant that Agristo is building in Grand Forks. Agristo is a Belgium based potato processing coming, and they are building their first U.S. and North American plant in Grand Forks.
Several city leaders, executives, and state officials were in attendance, showing their support for the construction of the plant.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Agristo chose Grand Forks as the place to establish their first North American production facility,” said Keith Lund, President and CEO of the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation.
The Grand Forks facility is targeting the potato harvest of 2029 as the first harvest to be processed in a facility that represents a total investment of more than $1 billion. The plant will process 1.1 billion pounds of potatoes annually, producing 550 million pounds of finished potato products.
The economic impact on the region is projected to reach up to $1.5 billion, with the facility creating over 300 direct jobs across the local supply chain, construction, and service sectors.
Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski also says that, “Agristo coming to the Grand Forks region is a generational win for our farmers and our community. Our future success is forever linked and shines brighter than ever.”
The potato sourcing for the Grand Forks facility will be concentrated in the Red River Valley, spanning across North Dakota and Minnesota. The facility will require approximately 20,000 acres of potato cropland annually and engage with over 50 farmers once it is fully operational.
A important partner that has been helping with this investment has been Walmart. Agristo says they have been crucial in providing the necessary commitments that allowed them to make this decision. This type of project requires years of establishing strong relationship in the supply chain, and it is a direct result of Walmart’s U.S. manufacturing initiative, which aims to benefit communities and create jobs across the country.
“Walmart and Agristo share a commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability, and customer value,” said Jaclyn Lomax, VP Supplier Excellence at Walmart U.S. “Agristo has been a trusted collaborator for many years, and we’re excited by this investment in Grand Forks and the Red River Valley. As a retailer serving customers across North Dakota, we know how important agriculture is to the state’s economy. This project will create jobs, expand opportunities for local farmers, and bring significant investment to the region. This investment demonstrates the value of foreign direct investment and the impact trusted global suppliers can have in the United States – strengthening domestic manufacturing, creating jobs, and supporting local communities.”
Construction for the plant was supposed to be finished by 2028, but it is now expected to be completed in fall 2029.
“Throughout this past winter, we’ve continued to make strong progress despite harsh weather conditions,” said Ruben Devos, Agristo Grand Forks Project Director. “With the arrival of spring and early summer, we were able to smoothly resume construction and accelerate all related activities. The established foundation is now ready for the remaining construction milestones and represents not just a physical foundation, but a reflection of the strong work ethic demonstrated by our partners and everyone who has contributed to this project so far.”
For more information about Agristo Grand Forks, visit agristo.com/grand-forks
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