Heritage Cooperative to build ag campus, research farm

$35 million project to be fully operational by September 2015

Heritage Cooperative plans to construct a major agriculture campus and research farm in Marysville to serve its customers in the community and provide space for educational sites and test plots. The project, scheduled for completion by September 2015, is located on 277 acres just south of state Rt. 33. A groundbreaking was held last week.

"Heritage remains true to our mission to add value to our members and customers' businesses and communities, and this project, which is one of the largest our cooperative has developed, is a direct reflection of that intent," said Eric Parthemore, CEO of Heritage Cooperative, an Ohio AgriBusiness Association member. "We know that the needs of our customers and members have changed exponentially, and that requires us to evolve to ensure we can deliver the cutting-edge efficiency, access to markets and agricultural technologies that position them for success."

The campus will significantly expand Heritage’s service capacity to its members in the Marysville area. It will include an express unit train grain terminal, a 30,000-ton dry fertilizer warehouse and a 10,000-ton liquid UAN (nitrogen fertilizer) storage with year-round distribution.

Among the project's most important elements is the addition of a CSX Transportation Class 1 unit train grain marketing facility, which will feature one of only two loop track facilities in Ohio. The 8,600-foot loop track will allow trains to make an entire circuit to load or unload grain, while maintaining rail traffic flow on main tracks.

When completed, the project will create about 20 full-time and an additional 15 part-time jobs in the community, with an annual payroll of more than $1.1 million.

The research farm will have agronomic and seed test plots, as well as conservation demonstration and educational sites. Heritage expects research and testing of new agricultural products to take place there, as well as the opportunity to partner with local farm and education organizations on additional research.

To learn more about the project, visit www.heritagecooperative.com.