NEW MFA GRAIN SHUTTLE FACILITY IN CALDWELL COUNTY
There has been a flurry of land moving activity about 5 miles east of Hamilton on Highway 36 as MFA Companies have begun construction of a new grain shuttle facility. The facility will have storage capacity of 2 million bushel of permanent grain storage and an additional 1.5 million bushel of temporary storage. The new MFA plant will be capable of moving 60,000 bushel of grain per hour. This could be a huge time savings for local producers and grain haulers. It may also save time and fuel for trucking grain to Kansas City and other areas and waiting in long grain lines. The rail facility will be a 110-car shuttle and can hold 420,000 bushel of corn or 380,000 bushel of soybeans. The facility will hire between 6-8 fulltime employees with several more part-time employees during the harvest season.
The Caldwell County Commission has worked closely with MFA in the development of the new MFA grain facility. This facility will be the largest capital investment that the MFA Companies have ever made on a single project. It is estimated to cost between 28-30 million dollars. The connection to Union Pacific Railroad and their participation was crucial to the location being chosen in Caldwell County after also looking at several other locations in the state.
Presiding Commissioner, Bud Motsinger, commented, “We as a Commission are very supportive of this project because of the value it brings to the citizens of Caldwell County and also to the surrounding counties. The grain handling facility will be very beneficial to the farmers as they harvest their crops. Having a facility of this size and capability with the rail access will definitely expedite their delivery of grain and allow them more time to get back to the field to harvest. It will save them time and money by having the facility so close to their farming operations. There are still some details to be worked out with MoDot and MFA concerning exiting and entering highway 36 from Nettleton road.”
“The new grain shuttle will be great for the farmers,” stated Commissioner McBrayer. “This facility will be very good financially for farmers in our area. This will also add to the local economy as many of these farmers and truckers will be stopping for food, gas and other products that will help other local merchants. I am very pleased that this economic development project is being located in Caldwell County.”
This project opens up great markets for MFA with grain being shipped to Arkansas, Oklahoma and eastern Texas for the poultry market. Because of the rail they now have access to new markets in Arizona, California and New Mexico. The new facility will not only help current customers but should also add new ones.
Commissioner Donnie Cox commented on other benefits that will come to Caldwell County. “MFA will be making substantial tax payments to the taxing entities in Caldwell County. The local school district will be the biggest beneficiary of these new taxes, but all of the normal taxing entities will also receive some additional funding. The Commission negotiated with MFA concerning taxes being paid and even though there will be some tax abatement on this project, MFA will still be the largest taxpayer of any private company other than utilities in Caldwell County. Terry Rumery, Economic Development Specialist for the county stated, “This was a Win-Win situation for all involved and that makes this project even more valuable.” Construction has already started and MFA anticipates being open to begin taking grain in the 2017 season. Citizens will be able to see the site just east of Hamilton on the south side of Highway 36
