Construction is expected to begin in September, and the first shipments of corn syrup will begin in mid-2024.

Cargill leaders had announced a planned investment in the plant in February and released details of the project Thursday.

The company will add some engineering workers and food safety and quality employees as a result of this project. Some current employees will be given the opportunity to learn new skills to work in the corn syrup production process, which will enable them to get raises.

“As the global population continues to grow, the demand for corn syrup continues to grow, especially given its important functional benefits in products ranging from infant formula to confection,” Mike Wagner, managing director for Cargill’s starches, sweeteners and texturizers business in North America, said in a written statement.

-Submitted graphic
This image shows what the new corn syrup refinery at the Cargill plant in Webster County will look like when it is completed. It will be on the southwest side of the company’s property.

“Adding this new corn syrup refinery further fortifies our supply network and ensures customers can continue counting on Cargill to be a reliable source of this sought-after ingredient,” he said.

Cargill officials said the new corn syrup refinery will be energy efficient and noted that because the MidAmerican Energy electrical grid is made up of more than 88 percent renewable sources, the new setup will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 50 percent compared to typical corn syrup production methods.

“This new refinery is the latest example of how Cargill is working to lower our environmental impact across operations using advanced technology to minimize our carbon footprint,’ said Sydney Pokorny, the Cargill Fort Dodge Biotechnology Campus facility manager.

Local leaders welcomed the announcement by Cargill.

Webster County Supervisor Mark Campbell said the corn syrup production will be “the first food grade line in Webster County.”

“They are great partners with Webster County,” he said of Cargill.

According to Campbell, there was some competition between various Cargill facilities seeking to become the site of the new corn syrup facility.

“As everyone knows, Cargill has facilities all over the United States and all over the world,” he said. “We were extremely lucky to get this corn syrup refinery in Webster County.”

The Cargill plant already produces dextrose, ethanol, feed for cattle, corn gluten meal fed to poultry, corn germ and a molasses like substance called corn steep liquor. Adding another product to the mix is good for the future of the plant, according to Dennis Plautz, the chief executive officer of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“It’s going to continue to make this plant more diverse,” he said. “The more diversification we get, the more competitive we get.”

Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich said he was excited to see Cargill expanding.

“We’re excited to see Cargill continue to make investments, especially investments of this magnitude,” he said.

The Cargill plant is west of Fort Dodge in the ag industrial park known as Iowa’s Crossroads of Global Innovation. The new corn syrup facility will be in the southwest portion of Cargill’s property in the industrial park. Because of its position behind the existing plant, it is unlikely that anyone passing by on nearby Iowa Highway 7 will be able to see it.

Most of the construction contracts have been awarded and large equipment has been ordered, according to Pokorny.

In February, the Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded $700,000 worth of tax credits to support the project.

The Webster County Board of Supervisors has committed to rebating to the company 70 percent of the increased property taxes it would pay as a result of the project. That rebate would be paid over 10 years. Its estimated value is $1,127,000.