What started out as a discussion over the security of new water meters slated to be installed in thousands of homes quickly morphed into a discussion at last night’s (Monday) Grand Forks council meeting about Epitome Energy.
Council member Rebecca Osowski expressed concern that not all the investors have been lined up for the $450 million dollar soybean crushing plant.
Osowski says just like with the installation of thousands of new water meters the city should do a full background check before approving project plans. “They left Minnesota (Epitome) because air quality they couldn’t get passed. Now here they are and they haven’t even purchased the land. We’ve already done the development agreement. They are waiting for investors so we don’t even know who is investing in the project.”
City Administrator Todd Feland says the development agreement protects the city and gives the company a set of rules to follow. “The development agreement just says we are going to work in good faith on a lot of things. What investors want to know is what the rules of the game are…what do I need to be accomplished so I can get across the finish line.”
Feland says it’s his understanding the financing for the project is close to being wrapped up.
Epitome is eyeing 55 acres of land in north Grand Forks to process up to 42 million bushels of soybeans per year. Construction is slated to begin later this year.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
