JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA) Board of Directors approved an extension of the letter of intent for Houweling Tomatoes Friday.

The memo of understanding with the company originally called for construction to begin by March 31st on the 30-acre commercial greenhouse project.

JSDC CEO Connie Ova reports they wanted to extend this memo of understanding to September 30th, 2021.

The extension was unanimously approved.

The greenhouse is expected to provide upwards of 120 full-time jobs. It would would be built just south of the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy Plant and grow tomatoes and other vegetables year round.

Project Manager Rich Garmin also reports they have been working with Dakota Spirit AgEnergy to provide a natural snow fence near their operation.

Garmin says that’ll provide solutions for the north end of the track. On the south end, they would look to plant some trees to provide additional cover. This project is in partnership with the Soil Conservation District.

Garmin also reported that a recent grant from the North Dakota Industrial Commission in the amount of $500,000 would allow them to collect and distribute carbon dioxide from the ethanol plant to the greenhouse.