News

Shell Rock Soy Processing plant gets key air quality permit

A new soybean crushing facility in northern Iowa has cleared a key hurdle allowing construction to begin in early April.

Mid-Iowa Cooperative CEO Mike Kinley says the Shell Rock Soy Processing Plant northwest of Shell Rock has received an extensive air quality permit.

“There are a number of permits obviously for various items for the project, but nothing as significant as that permit. That’s usually the permit that signals that the project is for sure a go.”

The $270 million plant will crush nearly 40 million bushels of soybeans per year once operational toward the end of 2022.

Kinley tells Brownfield Mid-Iowa chose Butler County because it’s a very good soybean production area.

“And it’s an area that needs additional soybean marketing opportunities for our producers.”

Kinley says the plant will help farmers save on labor costs too by reducing wait times, and benefit area livestock producers by providing high-quality, 48 percent soybean meal.

The location also features a railway logistics park.

“That gives us significant options to hit Class 1 railroads in Iowa, and to move the soymeal and soy oil out to other parts of the U.S. and even to the world.”

Kinley says the Shell Rock Soy Processing Plant should provide a big boost to the local economy as well by creating 50 to 60 new jobs.