USA: Construction of a huge barley-malting plant north of Great Falls is the first project in what has been dubbed the "value-added commodity park," which Great Falls Development Authority chief John Kramer said puts Great Falls on the map with an asset for the entire state, The Great Falls Tribune said in a report regarding 2003 results. In hopes of attracting other tenants to the park, infrastructure costing $8 million is being built to serve the area.

According to Damien Lesaffre, president of International Malting Co., the $60 million plant is progressing on schedule and may be buying barley from Montana growers next year.

"That's the whole idea," said Kramer. "We're not doing all this for the 45 jobs at International Malting, or for the interim construction jobs. We're doing this to generate a market for Montana commodities."

The company said the plant will consume 11 million bushels of malt barley each year. Annual malt production is expected to be 12 million bushels.

04 January, 2004