CANTON, MO. -- Northeast Missouri farmers have to transport their grain by ferry to an elevator across the river in Illinois.
But that soon could change.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was in Canton, Missouri on Thursday, October 21st to announce a $2 million grant to start the process of building a new grain elevator owned by the Ursa Farmers' Coop.
KHQA's Jarod Wells shows you the plan and its benefits.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon(D) said, "When it comes to agriculture, the Mighty Mississippi is the link many Missouri farmers have to markets around the globe. Each year the river carries millions of dollars of goods from Missouri to the Gulf to the world."
Unfortunately that link stands between northeast Missouri farmers and the nearest grain elevator, across the river in Illinois.
Nixon said, "Today I am pleased to announce that my administration has awarded a community development block grant of nearly $2 million to lay the pathway for development of a grain elevator right here in Canton."
That money will go to purchasing 10 blighted properties through out Canton. Those will be demolished, cleared of environmental violations and contamination and eventually be the site of the new elevator.
Ursa Farmers' Cooperative GM Gerald Jenkins said, "We just have a few final permits that we need to get stitched up with the Corps of Engineers and the railroad, at that point we'll be a go."
Gerald Jenkins is optimistic that if those are finished quickly, construction could begin next spring.
Mayor Terry Fretwell said, "The economic possibilities are enormous for the city of Canton and growth that can go off this. The other part is that, we're an agriculture area, rural area, and it'll make it more accessible for our farmers that we have here, we can work together with our rural areas and make it a great area."
The grain elevator would be located here on this point.
Nixon said, "The new elevator will save Missouri farmers time and money. And the elevator will be equipped to load grain and goods directly on barges which will further establish Canton as a major hub of transport and commerce in the Show Me State."
Jenkins said, "The whole system should be much more efficient by being able to have an elevator here versus having to transfer it across on any system so to speak."
Once the site is ready the Ursa Farmer's Cooperative and the 400 Missouri farm families who belong to the cooperative, will invest $6 million to construct the facility.
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This is the release from Gov. Jay Nixon's office
Gov. Jay Nixon visited the riverfront at Canton, Mo. on Thursday, to announce the awarding of nearly $2 million by the state to assist in acquiring and clearing 10 blighted properties that will become the site of a new grain elevator owned by Ursa Farmers' Cooperative.
Currently, Missouri farmers in the area must transport their grain via ferry to an elevator located immediately across the Mississippi River in Illinois.
Transport by ferry slows the delivery of goods and can be dangerous, as top-heavy grain trucks can make the ferry unstable.
Thursday, Gov. Nixon announced that his administration has awarded a Community Development Block Grant of $1,990,000 to the city of Canton to purchase, clear and prepare the blighted properties for the elevator.
Once the site is prepared, Ursa Farmers's Cooperative and the 400 Missouri farm families who belong to the cooperative, will invest $6 million to construct the facility.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Missouri’s economy," Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri famers feed, fuel and clothe the world. By allowing our farmers to move their goods to market faster, cheaper and more safely, we are supporting this vital part of our economy and helping our farmers compete in the global marketplace. I commend Sen. Wes Shoemyer and all the local leaders who worked together to make this important development possible.”
The site to be developed for the grain elevator was formerly the location of Tri-State Fertilizer, an agricultural chemical company.
As part of this developmental process, the property will be cleared and environmental violations and contamination on the property will be remediated.
“This project will be a positive development for farmers throughout northeast Missouri, and the entire Canton community as well,” Gov. Nixon said. “By cleaning up these blighted properties, we’ll be enhancing the environment around Canton and reigniting the community’s downtown area.”
Tri-State Fertilizer has signed a letter of agreement to sell the blighted properties to the Lewis County Industrial Development Authority.
Demolition and environmental remediation will begin immediately after the sale is finalized.
Construction of the new grain elevator will begin once demolition and remediation are complete.
“This announcement is a major milestone for farmers across northeast Missouri,” Sen. Shoemyer said. “Development of this new grain elevator will provide closer and more economical service for Missouri farmers, and it will help keep our region moving forward. I am proud to have worked closely with Gov. Nixon, the Lewis County Industrial Development Authority and the City of Canton on this project that will be of great benefit to the people of northeast Missouri.”
“After a long and comprehensive application process, this is an exciting day for Lewis County and all of northeast Missouri,” said Bill Smith, executive director of the Lewis County Industrial Development Authority. “This major investment in our community will make a tremendous difference for local farmers and businesses. Our entire economy will benefit from this important project.”
The Lewis County Industrial Development Authority is the lead local entity on this project.
The authority will acquire and clear the sites and will work with Ursa Farmers’ Cooperative to develop the elevator.
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