March 2, 2011

CHS to invest in four grain shuttle loading facilities in three states

CHS Inc., a Fortune 100 energy, grains and foods company, has announced letters of intent with local grain partners to build state-of-the-art shuttle train loading elevators in Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota, with completions estimated over the next 12 to 18 months.

"The CHS commitment to growers includes endeavours like this where we reinvest back into our communities," said John McEnroe, Senior Vice President, Country Operations division of CHS. "With new or updated facilities, producers in these communities not only get faster service when they need to move their grain, but they will also benefit from increased market access, particularly to export customers served out of the Pacific Northwest."

CHS Country Operations has a preliminary agreement for construction in place with Farmers Union Elevator Co., New Salem, N.D. There is also an agreement between All Points Cooperative, Gothenburg, Neb.; Farmers Cooperative Grain Company, Merna, Neb.; and the CHS Agri-Service Center, Holdrege, Neb.; for a facility in the Custer County area. In addition, CHS has expansion plans to accommodate 110-car trains at its Kershaw, Mont., location as well as its facility in Lakota, N.D., operating under Lake Region Grain.

Facilities will all be located on a BNSF rail line and first construction could start as early as May 2011.