Associated Press
DICKINSON, N.D. - Organizers of an ethanol plant here are getting a tax break from Stark County, though not as much as they requested.
Stark County commissioners approved a 100-percent property tax exemption for the Red Trail Energy LLC plant for two years starting this year, a 75-percent tax break in 2008, a 50-percent break in 2009 and a 25-percent break in 2010. In 2011, its sixth year of operation, the plant will pay its taxes in full, they decided.
Red Trail had sought a five-year, 100-percent exemption. The Richardton-Taylor School Board said it would rather see a two-year exemption with the possibility of expanding it later.
“We would like more, but we want to work with the commissioners,” said Ambrose Hoff of Richardton, one of 17 board members for the plant, which will make ethanol fuel from corn.
“We’re satisfied with how the process went along. We appreciate (the commissioners’) suggestions and we appreciate the opportunity to work with them,” Hoff said.
Hoff said the Richardton plant is aiming to start operating by Nov. 1.
“We’re satisfied,” Richardton-Taylor School Board President Jerry Messer said of the commissioners’ decision. “After they (the plant) get on their feet, they can share the tax burden with the rest of the patrons in the district. It helps us all move forward together.”
The Richardton-Taylor School District will benefit the most from Red Trail’s paid taxes. Of 357 mills, 200 will go to the district with the rest to Stark County.
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