Cargill plans expansion at Madison, Minn., grain elevator

MADISON, Minn. — Cargill says it will invest $17 million to upgrade and expand its grain elevator in Madison in western Minnesota.

The project is expected to be completed in time for this year’s harvest.

“Madison is located in an area of excellent corn and soybean production,” says Lynn Zimmerman, facility manager. “This project will enhance Cargill’s capabilities to serve area farmer customers, who have invested in their own technology to increase yields over the years.”

According to Zimmerman, the project will more than double the storage space to 2.4 million bushels and nearly double the unloading capacity to 50,000 bushels per hour, which will enable faster dumping at critical times of multiple products.

The upgrade also includes relocating the office and scale room, which will add truck staging space and improve truck traffic flow. New inbound and outbound truck scales will increase receiving efficiency, according to Zimmerman.

Cargill purchased the grain-handling facility from Glacial Lakes Energy in 2008.

The Madison elevator is located on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and can load shuttle trains destined for the Pacific Northwest and other domestic markets, Zimmerman says.

“Export demand for U.S. corn and soybeans through the Pacific Northwest is expected to continue growing,” he says. “Madison’s ability to load shuttle trains puts area farmers in a strong competitive position to serve those markets.”

Madison Mayor Greg Thole says the city is excited about the expansion of the Cargill elevator.

“We anticipate the expansion will ensure the sustainability of our city as an agricultural center and help maintain our public-owned utilities for many years to come,” he says.