December 7, 2012
Ohio Valley Resources to build fertiliser plant in Spencer County
Ohio Valley Resources (OVR) will build a US$952 million nitrogen fertiliser plant in Spencer County north of Rockport, Indiana.
About 80 jobs will be created at the plant, which will be the first domestic fertiliser plant built by a US-based company in over 25 years.
The Indiana site was selected because of its convenient rail, highway and river access and its proximity to two interstate natural gas pipelines, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
"We strongly considered both the Kentucky and Indiana sites, but access to two natural gas pipelines made the Indiana location stand out," said Doug Wilson, OVR president and chief executive officer.
The high-tech facility will open in 2016 and produce approximately 2,420 tonnes per day of ammonia and 3,000 tonnes per day of urea ammonium nitrate solution for agricultural fertiliser. Some of the ammonia production will be bought by power utilities to use in reducing emissions in coal-fired power plants and industrial facilities. In addition, the plant will produce 300 tonnes per day of diesel exhaust fluid, which is used to reduce emissions in diesel engines.
"As a vast portion of the nation''s fertiliser is imported today, OVR''s new facility will shorten the fertilisersupply chain making it safer and more reliable, ultimately passing value to Hoosier farmers," said Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The state offered Ohio Valley Resources up to US$1.2 million in conditional tax credits based on the company''s job creation plans. The state also will assist the community with site infrastructure improvements. Spencer County will consider property tax abatement.
Ohio Valley Resources is a privately held company based in Fairfield, Illinois. It was formed by Doug Wilson to develop a nitrogen fertiliser manufacturing plant to serve the Eastern Corn Belt.