US: Simplot plans to expand North Dakota potato processing plant

J.R. Simplot Co. is planning a USD30m expansion to its north Grand Forks potato processing plant according to a city memo, though a company employee says corporate approval is still pending. The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously offered preliminary approval to a series of requests made by the Idaho-based agribusiness giant on Wednesday regarding the expansion, which includes a “high bay freezer” (HBF) in excess of 110,000 square feet in area and 165 feet in height, according to a city staff report. The addition would be located to the north of Simplot’s refrigeration unit. The freezer is a “rack-supported building” with 13 storage levels for “finished product.” More