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Study: Agriculture has a $31 billion impact on North Dakota

Dave Thompson

A new study shows the impact agriculture has on North Dakota’s economy.

The study was done by NDSU.

"Every county in the state, all 53 counties, are dependent on the agriculture industry in a very significant way," said NDSU Vice-President for Agriculture Affairs Greg Lardy, speaking at a state capitol news conference.

Lardy said ag has a nearly $31 billion impact to the state of North Dakota.

"Nearly one in five jobs are tied to the agriculture industry in the state," Lardy said.

Lardy said as ag processing – or “value added” – projects come on-line, that impact will grow.

Gov. Doug Burgum pointed out the growth in soybean crushing plants. He says just a year ago, North Dakota had no soybean plants – but now, two plants are being developed – the “Green Bison” plant at Spiritwood and the ADM plant at Casselton. And a third plant has been announced for Grand Forks.

Epitome Energy has selected Grand Forks for a $400 million dollar soybean crushing plant. The Red Wing, Minnesota based company made the announcement Monday during a meeting with the Grand Forks council.

Epitome CEO Dennis Egan said the company initially looked at placing the plant in Crookston, Minnesota. But Egan said after a year and a half wait for Minnesota to complete a review of the permit applications, teh decision was made to relocate to Grand Forks. And he sais the location in north Grand Forks makes more sense.

The plant will be able to process 42 million bushels of soybeans each year into oil…meal…and hulls.

When operational the facility will employ 50 to 60 workers. The company hopes to break ground in 2023.

(Doug Barrett of KNOX Radio in Grand Forks assisted with the Epitome information.

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