Hoeven: Agristo to Establish $500 Million Potato Plant in Grand Forks

Hoeven: Agristo to Establish $500 Million Potato Plant in Grand Forks

Senator Worked with Company Leaders, BNSF & Local Officials to Advance New Project Benefitting North Dakota Potato Growers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement after Agristo announced that it would expand its operations in North Dakota by establishing a $500 million potato processing plant in Grand Forks, contingent upon finalizing the incentive plan for the project and transportation rates with BNSF. The planned facility will be constructed on a nearly 350-acre site, support 250 employees and provide a local market for up to 15,000 acres of planted potatoes, with the site allowing room for expansion in the future. Hoeven has been working with the company's leadership and local officials, including Mayor Brandon Bochenski, to advance the project, having:

• Made the case for locating the plant in Grand Forks to Agristo COO Kristof Wallays.
• Facilitated conversations between BNSF and Agristo to help mitigate the cost of connecting the new facility to needed rail service.
  • Addressing rail service costs was a key factor in ensuring Agristo chose Grand Forks as the location for the new facility.
  • Hoeven spoke with BNSF CEO Katie Farmer and Agristo leaders last year to outline the mutual benefits of a potential partnership and help secure a deal for providing cost-effective rail service.

"This is a game-changer for potato growers in North Dakota, who will benefit from a $500 million, 350-acre facility that provides a new, local market for the high-value crops they produce," said Hoeven. "We made the case to Agristo and BNSF, outlining the benefits to both companies and how Grand Forks is the clear choice for this new facility. We appreciate everyone involved, including Mayor Bochenski, Grand Forks EDC President Keith Lund, the region's potato industry leaders and BNSF CEO Katie Farmer, for their efforts to make this new project a reality, benefitting the region and our farmers for years to come."

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