JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA) moved to approve the bid bond and move forward with the rail project.

Discussion before the bid approval centered on concerns that the project be completed by Sept. 1, 2023. Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) Executive Director Connie Ova says ADM and SEPA’s attorneys both expressed concerns with that set date.

Ova added the key terms agreement allowed both parties to feel comfortable with putting the bid bond out to stay ahead of the timeline Green Bison Soy has to get their facility built.

Engineering documents will need to be completed before the advertisement for bids are put out. The SEPA Board unanimously approved to let the project out for bids.

Ova later gave more information on the up to $12 million loan they’re working on obtaining to fund the proposed rail project.

She made a proposal to ask the JSDC Board of Directors to assume the loan and keep it on the same schedule and terms to pay it off in two years. SEPA approved the request.

Later, Ova gave a project update at the Spiritwood Energy Park. She says she recently met with a fly and larvae production facility and had a tour visit at the energy park.

Ova says there are other companies trying to collocate with other ethanol plants across the U.S.