JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA) met in a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the letter of intent for Glass Investments Projects to build a greenhouse in the Spiritwood Energy Park.

Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) Executive Director Connie Ova says approving the letter of intent would be the first step towards the realization of the project.

The proposed Spiritwood Energy Park location provides existing infrastructure and facilities, including the availability of CO2, steam, water supply and transportation logistics. These attributes make the property an optimal location for the development and operation of a large-scale commercial greenhouse.

Ova added that the JSDC has been working with the South Central Dakota Regional Council to put the project into motion. She says they’ve been working with Casey Houweling and the company in bringing the project to the park.

The 60 acres would be located directly south of the Dakota Spirit Ag Energy Project. The JSDC would move the acres into SEPA and match funds for the project from the City of Jamestown and Stutsman County.

The group unanimously approved the letter of intent.

“We have been working with the development team in North Dakota for a few years now and are excited to see this project move to the next level. Growing the best tomatoes doesn’t come easy. Our facilities are the most technically-advanced and environmentally-friendly greenhouse operations in the world. Building a greenhouse facility in the Spiritwood Energy Park will allow us to utilize of all the synergies available in the energy park. In our quest for perfection, we have become world-renowned as a pioneer of technologies that improve sustainability, food safety, yields, and consistency and are eager to bring these capabilities to North Dakota.” Said Casey Houweling, Glass Investment Projects Inc.

“Since taking office in 2016, Lt. Gov. Sanford and I have championed the opportunity to harness our state’s vast and valuable CO2 resources as an input for value-added industries including large-scale greenhouses. Seeing this project take this important step toward fruition is great news for the ag community, the economy and North Dakota as a whole,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re thrilled for the Jamestown area and excited about the example this sets for current and future collaboration between our state’s two largest industries, agriculture and energy. And we’re grateful to our team members at the Department of Commerce who approved over $200,000 in grants for this project in 2017 and 2019 and continue to work with the developers, local economic development officials and other agencies to bring jobs to our state and region and diversify our economy.”

“This is an exciting day for the Jamestown region and North Dakota agriculture with the announcement of the first commercial large-scale greenhouse project utilizing CO2 from Midwest AgEnergy and steam from the Great River Energy facility. It is a unique opportunity to expand North Dakota agriculture, with energy and agriculture working together.” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “The project is a great example of collaboration between local, private and state entities with development funding provided by the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission. The facility will be the first of its kind in the state, an ag operation with a small footprint that will provide vegetables to a national market.” Said Doug Goehring, North Dakota Department of Agriculture Commissioner.

“It is great to see this project move closer to completion. Glass Investments Projects Inc.
will provide a great economic boost to the state and region. From the prospect of new job creation, to emphasizing the synergies that exist between energy and agriculture; Houweling’s will be a great addition to the state of North Dakota. This endeavor is a great example of the collaboration that exists between private businesses, state agencies and local economic development offices. The ND Department of Commerce is proud to continue to be involved of the process” said James Leiman, Director of Economic Development and Finance, North Dakota Department of Commerce.

Mayor Heinrich commented “I am very enthusiastic that this project will further validate the previous investments made in the Spiritwood energy park”. “This is an opportunity that will provide year-round permanent jobs for families to live, work and play in Jamestown/Stutsman County. It will also offer more opportunities to those owners of apartments looking for tenants.”
“We are very excited to see this project locate at the Spiritwood Energy Park” said Stutsman County Commission Chairman, Mark Klose. “I assume we will provide a property tax exemption comparable to what we have provided to those value-added projects in the past. This will provide a significant contribution to the community”