Minnich Eggs plans to expand.
Jay County Council forwarded requests from the company Wednesday to enact five-year tax abatements on upcoming additions to their business.
Minnich Eggs of rural Portland plans to build a biochar manufacturing and distribution facility and new feed mill in Noble Township.
Jay County Development Corp. executive director Ceann Bales explained Minnich Eggs is also planning to develop the facility, which will involve converting layer and pullet manure into soil amendment products (biochar).
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, biochar is defined as “black carbon produced from biomass sources … for the purpose of transforming the biomass carbon into a more stable form (carbon sequestration).”
Its website also says biochar is mainly created for carbon sequestration, a topic recently discussed by Jay County Plan Commission. (The plan commission will consider whether to recommend Jay County Commissioners enact a one-year moratorium on carbon sequestration in order to allow time to create an ordinance setting regulations for such facilities.)
Bales also explained Minnich Poultry — it’s a part of the same business — is currently operating a feed mill, but it is running at capacity and nearing the end of its life.
“Unfortunately right now Jay County lacks a feed mill to be able to have the sufficient capacity to meet their needs,” Bales said. “So, to address this, Minnich Eggs is proposing to construct a new, modern feed mill, producing finished feed to support Minnich Poultry’s operations, because this is a project that will help the company be sustainable for years to come.”
The company requested a five-year real property tax abatement and five-year personal property tax abatement, estimating $14.1 million and $15.93 million investments, respectively. (Minnich Eggs will save approximately $699,769 with the real property abatement and $339,427 with the personal property abatement.) The project will result in 10 additional jobs — plans are to have three shifts at the biochar facility — and help retain several employees.
According to tax abatement forms, the estimated start date for construction is Sept. 1, with completion set for Dec. 31, 2027.
County officials previously approved two other tax abatements with Minnich Poultry, along with one tax abatement for Reier Pullets, a sister company.
Council member Cindy Bracy — she lives near the business — voiced concerns about the business’ truck traffic on county road 300 North, saying the road is not safe for semis or school buses. She suggested the county look into road improvements or another solution and voiced support for the business’ expansion.
Answering a question from council member Michael Brewster, Minnich Poultry chief financial officer Steve Reier said the company has been in business in Jay County since the 1970s.