Project coordinator Gene Neuens of newly formed Plains Oilseed Products says the company will construct and operate an oilseed processing plant in western Oklahoma.
Numerous sites, including one southwest of Enid, are being considered for the plant, which could employ up to 17 people.
“We are working through the state Department of Commerce and will be sending out a request for proposal to all interested parties. We’ve had about six, seven to eight people from Northwest Oklahoma communities show some real interest,” Neuens said Monday about plant location.
Jon Blankenship, executive director of Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, said he had not received any information about the proposed plant.
It would be equipped and operated to crush different oilseeds, such as canola, sunflowers, peanuts, soybeans or other similar plants, that could be grown in Oklahoma.
According to a business plan prepared with assistance from Oklahoma State University agricultural specialists, Plains Oilseeds Products anticipates processing more than 100,000 tons of oilseeds annually into 57 million pounds - 7.7 million gallons - of oil. It will be marketed to food-grade oil refiners and biodiesel plants.
The plant also will produce more than 69,000 tons of canola and other meals annually that will be marketed to Oklahoma feed manufacturers and large-scale dairies.
Neuens said the plant would be equipped to receive up to 110,000 acres of harvested canola that could be refined, bleached and deodorized for a food grade oil that would be unique for an operation this size.
“We would send it directly to wholesalers,” Neuens said.
Blankenship said biodiesel production, which was the talk of the area a few years ago, has been overshadowed recently by attention focused on proposed ethanol plants here.
A burgeoning biodiesel industry remains viable here with several sticks still in the fire, Blankenship said.
Plains Oilseed Products also announced Monday its board of managers, which will oversee the company’s activities. Members have been involved actively in the project since its inception in 2002.
Board chairman is Matt Gard of Fairview. He is a certified crop adviser. He also serves as a conservation commissioner for Northwest Oklahoma and is a member of National Corn Growers Association and Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association. He grows cotton, alfalfa, soybeans, millet, wheat and canola.
Terry Detrick is vice chairman of the board and vice president of Plains Oilseed Products. He is also vice president of American Farmers and Ranchers Mutual Insurance Co. and Oklahoma Farmers Union. He and his son, Brad, operate a 2,800-acre farm and ranch at Ames, producing small grains, hay and beef cattle.
Secretary/treasurer is Mark Holder of Altus. He has served as a director of Stockman’s Bank since 1986 and serves as vice chairman of the bank’s board and executive vice president.
source news : adaeveningnews.com
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