Calgary-While Agrium Inc. plans to build a new ESN plant in St. Louis, Mo. (GM May 25), its Agrium Ag Tech unit is also pumping $5.7 million into a capital project at the company’s existing Sylacauga, Ala., facility. There are two aspects to the expansion: a 20,000 st expansion in ESN capacity, and the expansion of the company’s research and development center. Most of the capital will be spent on the ESN plant. The company plans to build a pilot facility to aid in the further advancement of future products. The plan anticipates 13 additional employees, including researchers, chemists, technicians, support staff, and plant workers. The facility already employs 100. Agrium plans to consolidate the bulk of its research in Sylacauga. U.S. Agrium Ag Tech offices are in Sylacauga, though the unit is headquartered in Brantford, Ont. In pursuing the Sylacauga expansion, Agrium sought and received a ten-year property tax abatement.
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