County funds $80,000 feasibility study to explore soybean crushing facility along I‑74 corridor

The Vermillion County redevelopment commission asked the council for $80,000 from the economic development fund (1149) to pay for a feasibility study on whether the county can support a soybean crushing facility.

A redevelopment representative said the study will assess local soybean production, transportation logistics (I‑74 corridor, rail access) and utilities (water, sewer, gas) and will identify potential sites and investment scale. "This request is for $80,000, which we hope that we not have to use all of them, but it is to pay for a feasibility study to examine the feasibility of a soybean crushing facility in Vermilion County," the presenter said.

Council members asked about likely water and gas requirements, potential private partners (large agro processors such as ADM or Cargill), and whether the study team will engage industry stakeholders. The presenter said the commission had spoken with S&P Global/Purdue consultants and that the study would help market opportunities to potential operators if the findings support a plant.

On a motion by Mr. Weir, seconded by Mrs. Pine, the council approved an $80,000 additional appropriation from the economic development fund (11‑49) into the redevelopment commission's professional services line to fund the feasibility study. Council members discussed water and gas availability along the target corridor and noted that any private investor would need assurances on utilities and transportation access before committing.