Port of Whitman County awarded $5 million

COLFAX—The Port of Whitman County has been awarded a $5 million loan from the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board, which will be used to acquire about 100 acres of land to install an Agriculture Advancement Center.

A potential property near Pullman has been identified by the Port, and private partner and startup company AgTech OS will serve as the anchor tenant.

The Port is matching the $5 million CERB loan for the land purchase, site preparation and utility construction with $1.25 million from its general fund. The entire project is estimated to cost $111.25 million, including facility construction, storage and crushing equipment, renewable energy infrastructure and industrial operations equipment. AgTech OS plans to source this funding from a combination of private and public funding.

“Companies like AgTech can bring the kind of skilled jobs, sustainability mindset and agricultural synergy that we need on the Palouse,” said Port Commission President Karl Webber. “The Port is eager to ensure this company makes its home, and its success, in Whitman County.”

AgTech OS is planning to establish a biodiesel facility to convert canola grain, purchasing approximately 100,000 tons per year from local farmers, into sustainable fuels for agricultural operations. Once at scale, the facility is projected to produce 10.8 million gallons of B100 pure biodiesel, 60,000 tons of seed meal, and 900,000 gallons Propanediol per year.

“The CERB award and partnership with the Port of Whitman County solidified our plan to bring game-changing sustainable AgTech to the Palouse with NVIDIA,” said Chief Executive Officer and Founder of AgTech OS, Ernest Spicer.

The Port will seek future tenants that would benefit from locating in this type of industry, and the facility is expected to sustain about 44 direct jobs when fully operational. The total contribution to the regional broad economy, including direct and indirect effects is estimated at 464 jobs. $132.2 million in sales, and $2.5 million in tax revenue to the State of Washington, according to University of Idaho economist Steven Peterson.

The Port is in charge of acquiring property within Whitman County, and making public infrastructure improvements. Including roads, sewer, water, electrical and telecommunications to serve the private sector buildings. If land is purchased, the planning, engineering and permitting could happen as soon as the summer.