Agrow Solutions, Pullman, Wash., plans to invest $2.5 million at Washington’s Port of Whitman County for a new fertilizer manufacturing and distribution facility. It will be located on a vacant 11-acre lot at the Port’s Central Ferry site, which is located on the southeastern end adjacent to the lower Snake River.
The Port on Sept. 21 was awarded a $1.6 million low-interest loan from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to expand rail and water infrastructure to the site. Planned infrastructure expansions supported by the loan include an extension of the property’s Port-owned rail lead and installation of a well. The loan will cover the permitting, engineering, and construction of the public utility infrastructure, which is anticipated to be completed in early summer 2024.
“Adding rail and water to the Central Ferry site is an important step in bringing custom fertilizer blends to local farmers at a larger scale,” said Agrow Solutions Owner Ben Moehrle. “We’re excited to partner with the Port of Whitman County for Agrow Solutions’ next chapter.” The new infrastructure will allow Agrow to bring bulk quantities of fertilizer to the location, mix personalized fertilizer packages, and move the product to market.
The company provides crop consulting and custom fertilizer blends to farmers in the Palouse region. It has reached capacity at its flagship facility and is seeking additional space to conduct fertilizer mixing and distributing practices. The planned facility is anticipated to create seven jobs upon construction completion next summer.
Construction on the public rail and water infrastructure is anticipated to begin in early 2024 pending engineering design and construction bid collection and selection.
In addition to the $2.5 million investment, Agrow is providing the required $400,000 match for the public infrastructure project. The public infrastructure project, including engineering, fees, contingency and construction, is expected to total $2 million.