ADM seeks Stearns County tax district for new elevator


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Archer Daniels Midland plans to build a new facility in Stearns County, but wants Stearns County taxpayers to help pay for needed road improvements around the proposed 80-acre complex.

ADM, one of the largest agricultural companies in the world, wants to build a facility to process Midwestern corn and soybeans that arrive by truck and to then ship them by rail to their next destination. The facility would generate a considerable amount of new truck traffic.

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The Saint Cloud Times reports that $1,7 million in road improvements are needed, but that is more than ADM had budgeted. The company wants the county create a special taxing district that would use tax money generated by the project to repay bonds used to pay for improvements.

The Times also reports the "project is expected to create eight to 10 jobs with wages anywhere from $36,000 to $65,000 a year."

A public hearing on the ADM request will be held Tuesday morning.

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