Grand Forks residents collecting signatures to force citizen vote on Fufeng Group's corn processing plant

(Fargo, ND) -- Some residents in Grand Forks are collecting signatures in an effort aimed at allowing citizens to vote on Fufeng Group's proposed corn processing plant.

"Our Grand Forks taxes are going to be used to fund this corn milling plant. From what we have heard it's a tune to $96.6 million that the city is fronting for this company to get them into town," said business owner Chris Spicer.

Spicer and his father own a business next to the parcel where the plant is expected to be built. Spicer says they're concerned about significant increases in their property taxes and special assessments which he asserts will happen if their property is annexed by Grand Forks, which is what the plan calls for.  Spicer is also concerned about the plant's odor and water use. They're aiming to collect 4,500 signatures by March 22nd to get the plant on the ballot. 

Original Air Date: 
Friday, March 11, 2022