SPIRITWOOD, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – At the end of October, the Cargill Malt plant went dark, completing a shutdown process that was announced in April.

In a release, the company cited a change in the type of malt preferred by brewers as a reason for closing and 55 employees losing their jobs. Currently, officials are looking at re-purposing the plant for another operation. Cargill announced they would be looking internally for another use for the plant before offering it for sale.

Cargill is the largest taxpayer in Stutsman County with a valuation of $46 million. The location is 207 acres and is assessed as industrial property.