Midwest Fertilizer Details $2.8B Plans
Midwest Fertilizer CEO Les Wright says he "strongly believes" southwest Indiana is the ideal spot for the plant.
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMidwest Fertilizer Co. LLC is moving forward with a plan to establish a $2.8 billion manufacturing operation in Posey County. The company expects the fertilizer production plant to result in up to 185 new jobs by the end of 2021. Construction is expected to begin next year. Governor Eric Holcomb says he offers his "enthusiastic support" for the facility, which is expected to begin operations in 2022.
The project has been in the works since 2012, and has hit some hurdles along the way. In 2013, then-Governor Mike Pence suspended state support for the effort, citing concerns with the company’s lead investor, Pakistan-based Fatima Group. The governor later reopened talks with Midwest Fertilizer.
Back in 2013, Governor Mike Pence suspended state support for the project due to concerns with the company’s lead investor, Pakistan-based Fatima Group. The governor later reopened talks on economic incentives for Midwest Fertilizer. Ultimately, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the company up to $3.3 million in conditional tax credits and training grants based on the job creation plans, as well as up to $300,000 in conditional incentives from the Hoosier Business Investment tax credit.
"We are very appreciative for the strong business relationship that we have not only with the state but also with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation," says Midwest Fertilizer spokesman Roger Harvey. "In addition, from the very beginning, the tremendous support we’ve received from Posey County and southwest Indiana business and community leaders has been critical to our success."
The company says the operation, spanning 220 acres in Posey County, will serve farmers throughout Indiana and the Midwest. The company says it will begin hiring for management, administrative and operation positions in 2018, with plans to be fully-staffed by 2021. It says new positions are expected to offer salaries averaging more than double the state’s average wage of $21.52 per hour.
Schellinger says the project overcame initial hurdles to get to this point.
Harvey says the company considered multiple locations for the massive investment.