The Challenge
With customers such as General Mills and Frito Lay, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) sells agricultural goods including coffee, cotton, grains, oilseeds, and sugar to a broad range of businesses. The company was considering a new soybean processing facility with integrated crushing, vegetable oil refining, and lecithin production and packaging capabilities. Transportation was a key issue, including convenient access to rail.
Soybeans are cleaned, cracked, dehulled, and rolled into flakes to separate the oil and meal components during processing. Soybean products include tofu, soymilk, edamame, soy nuts, sprouts, miso, and soy sauce. Soybean oil is also used in salad dressings and mayonnaise, as well as industrial products such as plastics and biodiesel.
The Solution
In Fall 2023, LDC announced a new soybean processing plant in Upper Sandusky that would bring more than 100 new jobs to Ohio. The company would invest approximately $500 million to construct the new plant in Wyandot County, bolstering the region's economic growth in the critical food and agriculture sector.
Wyandot County has long been recognized as a center for manufacturing, agribusiness, and farming. The announcement was important in opening new avenues for growth and innovation in Ohio's agricultural sector, and laying a foundation for future collaborations.
Key factors in choosing Ohio included:
Nation-leading transportation infrastructure that makes it easy to ship goods
Ohio’s convenient Midwest location that’s a day’s drive from 60% of U.S. and Canadian customers
A robust agricultural industry in northwest Ohio that offers logistical advantages thanks to the many suppliers and distributors nearby
Tax-friendly laws for businesses operating in Ohio
A ready pipeline of talented, highly trained workers
The Results
Jobs Created:Â 114
Total Payroll:Â $9,195,550
Total Investment: $541 million
Economic Impact:Â There are approximately 26,000 soybean farmers in Ohio, and the annual economic impact from soybean production in Ohio is $5.3 billion. This significant investment by LDC offered high-paying wages to workers in rural Wyandot County. The project was a boon to the Upper Sandusky area and the regional agribusiness industry. It had a positive ripple effect on both local communities and across the state.
Strategic Advantage:Â Ohio's economic vibrancy is appealing to global agribusiness leaders. All current and future agricultural companies operating in the state benefit from new cutting-edge technology and the future investments they will attract in this critical sector.
LDC choosing Upper Sandusky for its expansion grows our robust agricultural industry and adds to the list of innovative companies choosing Ohio because of our talented workforce and dedication to business growth.
- Ohio Senator Jon Husted