Construction is underway on a $375 million soybean crushing facility in Southeast Kansas that will provide an important source of feedstock for producing renewable fuels, food products and animal feeds.
Located in Montgomery County, the plant will be owned and operated by Bartlett, a Savage Company, and capable of handling approximately 45 million bushels of soybeans annually to crush into soybean meal and refined soybean oil.
The Bartlett plant will create about 50 permanent jobs when operations commence in early 2024, and support additional jobs and economic activity during construction.
Supporting U.S. transition to renewable fuels
A June 17 groundbreaking ceremony and luncheon were hosted by the Montgomery County Action Council in partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity to commemorate the start of this significant economic development project for the region.
Participants included Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, U.S. Senator for Kansas Jerry Moran, Kansas State Representative Jim Kelly, Director of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity Trisha Purdon, Montgomery County officials, representatives of U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and U.S. Congressman Jake LaTurner, and members of Bartlett’s leadership team.
“We’re excited to start construction on our soybean crushing plant in Montgomery County," said Bartlett President Bob Knief. "We’ll support our nation’s transition to renewable fuels by sourcing up to 65 million gallons of feedstock for renewable transportation fuels annually, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 400,000 tons a year.”
Governor Kelly said agriculture-based and renewable energy businesses are major economic drivers in Kansas.
“Powered by Kansas’ outstanding infrastructure and talented workforce, I’m confident Bartlett’s new project will be a tremendous success and have a significant economic impact on the region and our state as a whole," said Governor Kelly.
Strategic location in Kansas
The plant’s location in Montgomery County, near the town of Cherryvale, provides easy access to highways 160, 166, 169 and 400.
The South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, owned and operated by WATCO, will provide rail services for the facility, connecting the plant to a network of Class 1 carriers. Ground preparation work is currently being performed by Crossland Construction Co. for the processing plant, grain elevator and loop track system.
“With our strategic location in the middle of the country and our strong agricultural roots, I’m absolutely thrilled that Bartlett chose Kansas as the place to locate this impressive new facility,” said Trisha Purdon, director of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity.
Representative Jim Kelly, Kansas State Legislature (District 11) and Interim Director of the Montgomery County Action Council noted Montgomery County is an ideal location for a major infrastructure project like this with our transportation connectivity and talented workforce.
“Bond incentives from Montgomery County as well as tax credits through the state’s High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) helped make this investment by Bartlett possible, and our economic development programs also can benefit other businesses," said Representative Kelly.
Bartlett is part of Savage, a global provider of industry infrastructure and supply chain services, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
