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Harvey County approves sale of Airport Building "V" to Deep Blue Diamond for $1.26 million
Summary
The Harvey County Commission unanimously approved the sale of Building "V" at the Newton City/County Airport to Deep Blue Diamond (ISP Technologies) and the assignment of the existing ground lease; the packet lists a purchase price of $1,261,750 and the lease runs to Sept. 27, 2072.
The Harvey County Board of Commissioners on April 8 unanimously approved the sale of Building "V" at the Newton City/County Airport and the assignment of the site’s existing ground lease to Deep Blue Diamond Products, Inc., an affiliate of ISP Technologies.
Commission Chairman Don Schroeder moved to approve the sale and transfer of the ground lease; Commissioner Terry Scott seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The agenda packet lists a purchase price of $1,261,750. The buyer will accept assignment of the remainder of a 50‑year ground lease that is set to expire on Sept. 27, 2072.
Raymond Sawyer, identified in the sale materials as the sole owner and proprietor of Deep Blue Diamond (ISP Technologies), described the company’s plans for the facility: "The purpose for building V, located at 620 N. Oliver in Newton, is to expand our production capabilities to produce biological products manufactured through a fermentation process, and to increase market share outside our current regions with focus on soil biology, soil health and regenerative agriculture." The packet says ISP currently manufactures and markets soil‑health products through a national sales network and will use existing tankage and equipment in Building V for fermentation‑based production.
The approval includes an assignment and assumption of leases and contracts; the closing documents in the agenda packet allocate responsibility for past and future obligations between seller, buyer and lenders. The action was recorded in the meeting minutes as an approval of the sale and lease assignment; the agreement in the materials references prior default and cure provisions, reinstatement of the lease, and cooperation among the City of Newton, the County and lenders to effect the assignment.
Next steps listed in the packet include execution of closing documents and coordination among the parties to transfer lease obligations. The commission scheduled a site tour later in the day as part of its review of county facility projects.
