Several state and local officials, including Gov. Pete Ricketts, were on hand in Geneva, Neb., on March 11 for the groundbreaking of a new anhydrous ammonia plant (GM Jan. 8, p. 1). The project, Nebraska Nitrogen LLC, which is deemed the redeveloper of the site by the City of Geneva, is owned by Fortigen LLC, a company owned by Tetrad Corp. of Omaha, Neb., which in turn is part owner of the Tetrad Property Group (TPG), a major Nebraska real estate firm.
According to filings with the city, the project is expected to cost approximately $72 million and produce only 100 short tons of ammonia per day. The city is making available some $5 million in tax increment financing (TIF) indebtedness to the project.
Shawn Rana, CEO of Fortigen LLC, told the attendees the plant would require some 150-200 workers to construct and employ some 20-30 once complete,
according to the local press. Actual construction is expected to begin in April and take 18 months to complete.
Rana has a history of getting nitrogen plant construction underway, having done the same for U.S. Nitrogen LLC in Mosheim, Tenn., and Iowa Fertilizer Co. for OCI NV in Wever, Iowa.
The company had not responded to inquiries for more details by press time.