Developer updates Stevens County commissioners on dairy processing plant schedule and outstanding permits

A company representative updated the Stevens County Board of Commissioners on the schedule and permitting status for a proposed dairy processing plant, saying site earthwork is planned for spring and that the project will proceed in phases through 2027.

The presenter said site grading and underground utilities will be completed in the first construction year, including deep soil corrections: steel H‑piles driven about 80 feet to support the taller portion of the plant and rammed aggregate piers under other foundations. Foundations and backfill will follow, then a winter pause. Work resumes with erection of precast components in March 2026, the representative said, with the main dryer and large stainless components installed as the building goes up.

"Everything's getting executed and moving ahead on on that schedule," the presenter said.

Why it matters: the plant includes large process equipment, onsite lagoons and fuel storage that require state and county permits; the board heard that those permits are in active review and could affect the start of specific work items.

State and local permits and outstanding technical items

The presenter told the board the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) lagoon construction permit remains under review and that the project team expects the permit within about a month; the lagoon permit must be issued before lagoon construction begins. The project has obtained an air permit from the state and said it is working on a water permit that would provide backup water for the plant’s operations and permit relocation of irrigation infrastructure.

When commissioners asked about the county right‑of‑way crossing, the representative said the project will bore a new potable 4‑inch water line under County Road 5 to deliver potable water to both dairy parlors. He explained the plant will produce reclaimed water that is not potable and therefore the parlors will keep separate potable supplies as required.

Fuel and energy infrastructure

Commissioners asked about the plant’s dryer fuel. The presenter said natural gas will be the primary fuel but that the existing gas service does not have sufficient capacity; a larger line will be required and is under review. The project will also install an underground diesel storage tank for four backup generators. The presenter described the tank as double‑walled and meeting MPCA regulations, and said underground storage will allow use of #2 diesel in winter without cold‑weather issues.

Construction heights and schedule milestones

The team said a vendor selection for the dryer reduced the tallest building height to about 110–120 feet, down from earlier estimates near 145 feet. The representative gave an overall phasing plan in which the plant enclosure and interior work continue through winter 2026–27, with conditioning planned by September 2027 and initial liquid product startup in mid‑November followed by the powder side in January.

Outstanding questions and next steps

Commissioners pressed the project team for details on the natural gas routing and capacity, permit timing for the MPCA lagoon permit, and the county right‑of‑way crossing for potable water lines. The presenter said routing and sizing work for the gas connection and ancillary utility designs were in progress, and reiterated the team’s expectation to receive the MPCA lagoon permit soon. The board did not take formal action; this item was presented as an informational update.

Ending: The board acknowledged the update and asked staff and the project team to keep the county informed as permits and utility connections are finalized.