Council approves memorandum with Agristo potato processor; growers describe trip to Belgian plants

The Grand Forks City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Agristo supporting a proposed processing facility and related grower investments tied to the plant.

City staff described the Grand Forks portion of the project as the processing facility component of a larger proposal that includes roughly $450,000,000 for the plant itself plus about $150,000,000 of on‑farm storage and improvements. City staff said the city proposed a 10% PILOT that would return to the city over 20 years and estimated the city’s portion at about $500,000 over that period; staff also estimated the long‑term taxable value could reach $3.7–$3.8 million as the facility and growth mature.

Why it matters: City staff and growers said the project is "grower driven" and was pursued because local soil and growing conditions are suitable. The project is expected to be an infill development on land already annexed by the city; staff said much of the needed infrastructure is already in place, limiting new city operational costs.

Growers’ report: Gary Shields and farmer Brad Nielsen, who traveled to Belgium, told the council the Belgian Agristo plants they toured were large, highly automated and clean. Nielsen described tours of two plants — one in Nazareth producing specialty products (hash browns, mashed frozen products and mixed potato‑onion products) and a French‑fry plant in another town that processes about 100 semi loads of potatoes per day and is expanding to become the largest single‑site french fry plant in the world.

Shields said Agristo’s corporate culture emphasized employees and growers; he said growers on the trip found the facilities impressive and efficient. City staff reiterated that the plant was intended to use modern, low‑water processes; staff estimated the facility’s water and wastewater needs at about 700,000 gallons per day.

The council approved the memorandum unanimously. Staff said the project has been pursued with federal and state partners and credited coordination with U.S. Senator Hoeven’s office, state leadership and local growers. Staff said the city has already annexed the primary site and has installed approximately a third to half of the necessary infrastructure on the location, and therefore does not anticipate major new city operational costs if the project proceeds.