ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP - A new grain elevator has been proposed for St. Joseph Township.

Archer Daniels Midland wants to build the $20 million facility on a 70-acre site that would eventually become part of the city of Waite Park.

Angie Berg is the Interim Environmental Services Director for Stearns County.  She says there are two pieces to this project.  First, a Conditional Use Permit has to be granted.  The Stearns County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on that issue tomorrow (Thursday) night.  If they give their approval, the County Commissioners will hear the plan on May 24th.

A-D-M is also seeking a tax break in the form of a $1.2 million tax-increment financing district.

Berg says the County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the TIF on June 7th.

The proposed facility would have the capacity to handle three-million bushels of storage.  A 120 car train shuttle would run one or two times a month on the Burlington Northern rail line.

ADM is hoping to break ground next month, and want to be up and running in time for next year's grain harvest.

More From AM 1240 WJON