Trupointe Cooperative is building a new, $30 million fertilizer and grain hub in Milford. Construction started in March and the plant is expected to open in 2014. The full-service agricultural fertilizer hub and grain handling facility is located on 275 acres. Logistically positioned, the location will have access to both CSX and Norfolk-Southern rail lines. (Photo courtesy of Trupointe)

One of the biggest projects in Indiana right now is in Milford and it’s moving full speed ahead.

The $30 million Trupointe project was in the planning stages for nearly 18 months before ground was broken in March. The full-service agronomy hub, situated on a 275-acre site, will hold 2 million gallons of liquid fertilizer and 37,000 tons of dry fertilizer. It will also include the latest technology to maximize efficiency.

The dry fertilizer building under construction now will include two load-out bays with semi load times anticipated at seven minutes. The liquid fertilizer building will include five load-out bays with semi load times estimated at 17 minutes. Certain products will be available for loading 24 hours, seven days a week through an automated system.

The rain has been the biggest issue since construction started, said Trupointe’s construction manager Tom Miller. While the project is a little behind schedule, Miller said the main issue is getting the rail line loop done noting, “That’s critical.”

All utilities at the new facility are underground, except the substation. Materials being placed underground are just as important to the site as what is being placed above ground, noted Miller.

A crew started work on the administration building two weeks ago. So far, the footing has been poured.

Despite all the rain last month, Miller said, “The drainage here ought to be really good.”

Good weather has graced the construction site for the majority of last week. Though the rain halted progress for a day in some areas, the small amount of drainage materials installed has helped make the site more weatherproof.

The project is being done is two phases. The agronomy facility will be built first, followed by the grain elevator. The agronomy facility will be operational in 2014.

Trupointe Cooperative Inc. is using Indiana businesses and its workforce as construction moves forward at its new agronomy hub. On average, there are 75 to 100 people working on site daily. More than 35 Indiana-based companies have been contracted and subcontracted for work at the site.

“Using Indiana companies has been a priority since we started construction on our Milford facility,” Miller said. “We wanted to use as many Indiana suppliers and contractors as we could because we understand the importance of a strong local and state economy. We are excited to be a part of Kosciusko County and want to be a good community partner.”

Several Elkhart and Kosciusko county companies are involved in the project. These local companies are: NuWay Construction, Middlebury Electric, Clear Creek and Associates and Aggregate Industries, all of Goshen; Beer and Slabaugh, Paul’s Welding and Borkholder Lumber, all of Nappanee; Big John Plumbing and Heating, Wakarusa; Stuckman and Son Trucking, Syracuse; Elkhart County Gravel, New Paris; Phend and Brown, Milford; Welty and Sons Well Drilling, New Paris; and J.L. Hurt, Warsaw.

The construction phase will provide significant, near-term benefits in the form of jobs and business. Trupointe estimates the local economic impact to be in excess of $6 million from excavating, concrete, electrical, plumbing, gravel and fencing work.

“I don’t know if it’s the biggest project in Indiana, but it’s got to be one of them,” said Miller.

The plant will bring in excess of 35 jobs in a variety of positions from management and administration to applicators and general labor. Trupointe hopes to hire the majority from within a 60-mile radius and most jobs will be full-time, with seasonal help added as needed.

The hub will be operational in 2014, with sales beginning yet this year.

Trupointe Cooperative is a regional member-owned and controlled co-op headquartered in Piqua, Ohio.

For more information and construction updates, visit www.trupointecustomerdriven.com/updates.