Marston crop processing facility has open house at future location

MARSTON -- A global processing company will open in New Madrid County this fall, and on Friday, officials took the chance to meet with those it will serve and get a better idea of the needs amongst farmers and others in the community.

Archer Daniels Midland held an open house and meet and greet Friday at its facility under construction in the St. Jude Industrial Park. Several state, county and town leaders were on hand at the event, in addition to area farmers and those from other businesses located in the Industrial Park. They listened to others speak about the company, and also got a chance to look at building plans, tour the building site and talk with those involved in the company.

Doug Johns, vice president of river terminals for ADM, said the open of the facility culminates a five-year journey to open a new plant. "And this day is a great day for us to get introduced to everyone," he said.

The feedback of people in the area will be what drives the growth and development of the plans. "We come into a community to build and find out the services needed," said Johns. He noted that employees there don't sit behind a desk all day, but "get out and work."

ADM will also set up marketing meetings and share information electronically with those that want it. "As much as you will let us get into your marketing plan, we will," said Johns.

ADM is a global processing company, with takes crops and processes them to make food ingredients, animal feed ingredients, renewable fuels and naturally derived alternatives to industrial chemicals.

There will be three bins when the facility opens in November, with plans for four additional bins and a dryer to complete the first phase, said Ryan Thurston, plant manager. There will also be two scales -- one in-bound and one out-bound -- and "a large staging area for trucks," he said.

The river belt will be able to run 50,000 bushels per hour, said Thurston. "We're in it to get (the farmers) in and turned around," he said.

Dennis Harty, who farms in the Dudley area, said that if the time spent at the processing facility is 30 minutes or less as officials say it will be, it will be worth it for his operation to make the three-hour round trip to dump rice. "We'll probably get three times more done, too," he said.

"We like to run an efficient operation," said Johns. "This is a well thought out plan that we're putting in here, and it can change, once we learn the farmers' needs."

The Marston location will handle wheat, corn, beans, milo and dry rice. When questioned by farmers whether green rice will be accepted, Thurston said that's a possibility "if that's the direction we need to move and it's financially possible to do so."

Jessie Sullenger, who farms throughout New Madrid County, said he hopes the processing plant makes prices more competitive. "And, it will be a little bit more convenient for me because it's closer," he said.

Thurston said officials expect farmers with up to a two-hour drive to use the facility, from locations as far as northeast Arkansas, Butler County and Sikeston.

Keith Gregston, president and general manager of Noranda Aluminum Inc., pointed out that Noranda owns and manages the Industrial Park, which is the largest in Missouri.

"We look for tenants that are environmentally conscious, well-known in the business community and that have the same criteria as Noranda as far as the economic development of our region," he said. When looking closer at ADM, a more than 100-year-old company, it made the decision simple. "We are very, very proud to have them become a tenant in the Industrial Park."

ADM occupies 35 acres of land in the park. When the plant officially opens, only about 10 acres will be used so there will be quite a bit of room to grow, Thurston said.

He said construction began in June plans are for the facility to be open by Nov. 1 at the latest -- but hopefully earlier. It will employ five to six people. "And when we're fully complete and up and going, we hope 12 to 15," he said.

Thurston will run the plant from ADM's Mound City, Ill. office -- although he will often be in Marston. Plant Superintendant Brad Stanle and Joey Cogdill, assistant manager and merchandiser will be headquartered in the Marston office, however. Another merchandiser, Julie Dugan, will work out of the Granite City office.

"We're extremely proud to have ADM come to our area," said Donnie Brown, mayor of New Madrid. "It will be a great addition and we're looking forward to working with them. Being a farming community, what better group could we have for our area?"

Clyde Hawes, New Madrid County's presiding commissioner, called Friday "a red-letter day for New Madrid County. We're glad to have them located in this county."

Hawes said the addition of ADM in the Industrial Park will be beneficial to area farmers, as well as the surrounding community.

Thurston said the Marston location's benefits include the good access to the plant, as well as being located near Interstate 55. "That was a definite plus," he said.

"It's also the center of Southeast Missouri agriculture," said Thurston. "We're just right smack dab in the middle of the bootheel production."

Johns noted that ADM has partnered with Noranda in other ventures, another benefit of the location.