Industrial project in GF

An industrial project being developed for Grand Forks got one step closer to completion Monday, September 26, when the city council’s committee of the whole meeting voted to move its extended letter of intent for final approval — with the recommendation to approve.

The project, being developed by Northern Plains Nitrogen, LLC, is a fertilizer production plant to be constructed to the northwest of the city of Grand Forks, on the other side of Interstate 29. The plant has been in development since 2012, and at the current rate, the initial stage of planning, including the Front End Engineering Design (FEED), will be completed in about a year, with actual construction of the facility lasting three years after that. When finished, it will feature upgraded roads and a rail line extension into the facility for loading, and could provide around 500 jobs. The project itself is estimated to cost around $2 billion by the time it comes operational, with up to $50 million of this dedicated to transporting six pieces of heavy machinery from the port of Duluth. These pieces of equipment, the largest weighting 225 tons, will need to have bridges, road and rail lines reviewed before it can be safely transported to Grand Forks.

Alongside giving employment to the community, the city’s wastewater is also being considering for usage at the plant, helping lessen environmental impact. Along with this is the unique opportunity with the University of North Dakota’s College of Engineering and Mines. According to project manager Calvin Coey, mechanical engineer, NPN could offer summer internships and co-op opportunities for engineering students.

“We believe that universities offer industry a unique opportunity to explore individual talents for future potential,” said Coey in an interview over email. “The student gains first hand knowledge of real world industry and learn to perhaps focus their efforts into what they perceive as more exciting and interesting.”

Another opportunity could be present for future students; alongside the 500 jobs during and after construction, around 200 “support” jobs will be needed, jobs to help those extra employees live in Grand Forks, such as hotel staff, waiters at restaurants, and laundromat employees, among others.

The letter of intent sent for city council consideration is simply a declaration of the company’s plans. The letter’s first extension was to expire December 31 of this year; if the further extension is approved, it will then expire June 30, 2017.

Connor Johnson is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]