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Moorhead EDA hears updates on DG Fuels talks and Anheuser-Busch facility closure
Summary
Staff said DG Fuels is engaged with state agencies through a DEED 'business first stop' and remains focused on its Louisiana plant; city leaders also discussed Anheuser-Busch's announced closure and initial steps to market that site for re-use.
City economic development staff updated the Moorhead EDA on two major economic-development items: early-stage conversations with DG Fuels and the announced closure of the Anheuser-Busch malting facility.
Staff said the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development hosted a "business first stop" virtual meeting that brought together nine state regulatory agencies to discuss DG Fuels’ project and permitting timelines; staff said state personnel have not yet opened those sessions to local partners but allowed one local staff member to observe. The company is currently focused on its Louisiana plant and is seeking federal loan guarantees that, if secured, could support replication in other communities.
Staff said DG Fuels remains of interest and the city hopes to meet with the company in early 2025. Moorhead Public Service and Missouri River Energy are reviewing power needs and could meet with DG Fuels to understand site requirements and timelines.
On Anheuser-Busch, staff described the company’s announced closure as unexpected and said the plant employs about 41 people. Staff said existing farm contracts tied to malting are expected to continue to serve the new malting facility cited by the company and that the company will engage a national and local broker to market the building. City staff said the site’s rail and utility access make it attractive and that discussions include whether protected land in front of the building could be released for development.
Why it matters: both items—potential industrial investment and the vacant malting facility—affect jobs, site-availability and utility planning. City staff said they are coordinating with regional partners and national site-selection experts to explore compatible reuses.
