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House panel advances $30 million completion-grant line for value‑added egg facility in Grand Forks
Summary
The House Appropriations Committee voted to advance House Bill 13-32, establishing a $30 million line of credit to fund completion grants for a large value‑added egg production facility; the bill was amended to deliver incentives in two stages tied to certificate of occupancy and operating capacity.
The House Appropriations Committee advanced House Bill 13-32 on a unanimous vote after adopting an amendment that would deliver incentive payments as completion grants tied to project milestones.
Representative Jared Haggart, District 20, told the committee the bill "focuses on large value added egg facility, incentive fundings" and would create a program and funding mechanism for grant awards to large egg value‑added facilities.
The panel debated an amendment (05002 on 1332) that sets up a $30 million line of credit at the Bank of North Dakota and structures payments as completion grants. Kelvin Hull, chief business development officer at the Bank of North Dakota, explained the mechanics: "The idea is that you have a company coming to the state... instead of doing incentives upfront, the incentive comes at the back after the entity has completed construction and is in operation." Under the amendment, the company would receive half of the incentive after achieving a certificate of occupancy and the remainder once the facility reaches 50% of its stated operating capacity.
Hull said the line of credit would be repaid in the 2029 legislative session either through a deficiency appropriation or by an appropriation from a fund chosen by future legislators, such as the Strategic Investment Fund, legacy fund earnings or the general fund. He framed the approach as a cash‑management tool that provides commitment without requiring the state to set aside $30 million immediately.
Mayor Buczynski of Grand Forks, representing the host city’s pitch, said local and site preparations are in place and described the project as a near‑term decision for the company weighing an alternate offer from Wisconsin: "It's really ours to lose now," he said, adding the firm had performed agronomy tests and preferred the workforce and communities in North Dakota.
Committee discussion touched on the existing Ag Development Diversification Committee and the statutory process for awarding grants. Members noted the amendment spells out production triggers and that repayment decisions in 2029 will be up to a future Legislature. After discussion the committee adopted the amendment and gave a do‑pass recommendation on the bill as amended. The committee then recorded a unanimous do‑pass on House Bill 13-32 as amended and closed consideration.
Votes at a glance: The committee adopted amendment 05002 (authorizing the $30 million line and completion‑grant structure) and recorded the amendment’s adoption; the committee later voted to give House Bill 13-32 a do‑pass as amended. Both votes were recorded as carried by the committee.
