NorthStar Agri Industries, a subsidiary of PICO Holdings, Inc., says it plans to build a canola processing plant in Enid, Okla., before the 2015 harvest season begins.
NorthStar's plans call for a crush capable of 2,200 tons a day, and a refinery capable of producing 580 million pounds of food grade Canola oil and 450,000 tons of Canola meal per year. The installation is expected to employ 55 permanent full-time jobs with a payroll of $3.75 million per year.
Brent Kisling, Enid Area Regional Business Development Manager says the plant "Will provide regional farmers with a much needed local market to support continued acreage growth.
"I believe winter Canola is a game changer for Oklahoma agriculture, providing a much needed rotation crop, improving winter wheat yields and quality, while diversifying farm income," he added.
Neil Juhnke, NorthStar's chief operating officer says "Oklahoma is a natural fit for us to expand and build upon the success of our Minnesota plant, leveraging the core competencies we have developed at NorthStar."
The proposed facility still requires regulatory approvals and commitment of debt financing, but NorthStar plans to have the plant crushing in the summer of 2015.