Epitome Energy

Epitome Energy, LLC operates as a developer of value-added agricultural processing facilities, focusing on the soybean sector in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Founded in 2019 by Dennis Egan, the company is headquartered in Red Wing, Minnesota, and is currently developing a major soybean crush plant in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Egan, who serves as CEO, brings a substantial background in business development, project permitting, and government affairs to the company, including experience as the former mayor of Red Wing, MN, and chairman of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce executive board. This experience has been central to navigating the complexities of project development, which included a strategic relocation of their flagship project from Crookston, Minnesota, to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in December 2022 due to permitting delays in Minnesota.

The company's core business revolves around addressing the limited local soybean processing capacity for farmers in the Red River Valley. Its primary asset under development is a $418 million soybean processing plant designed to process up to 42 million bushels of soybeans annually. The business model is centered on converting these soybeans into three primary products: crude degummed soybean oil, soybean meal, and soybean hulls. Revenue will be generated from the sale of these commodities to a diverse client base. The soybean oil is targeted for the growing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel markets, as well as for food companies. Soybean meal will serve as high-protein feed for livestock industries, including hog farms in Manitoba, Canada, and turkey and dairy operations in Minnesota. Soybean hulls are sold as a supplemental feed for various livestock.

The Grand Forks facility, which is anticipated to commence operations in the fall of 2025, will provide a closer, more reliable processing option for regional farmers, who are often over 100 miles from the nearest facility. By reducing transportation costs and creating local demand, Epitome Energy projects it will strengthen the basis for local soybeans by 20-25 cents per bushel, directly enhancing farmer profitability. The plant is being developed on a 100-acre site with full access to rail and highway infrastructure, and the project is a partnership with Fagen, Inc., a major green energy design-builder, and Crown Iron Works, a leader in oilseed extraction technology. Upon completion, the facility is expected to create 50-60 permanent jobs.

Keywords: soybean processing, agribusiness, agricultural value-add, soybean crush plant, Dennis Egan, Grand Forks North Dakota, Red River Valley, soybean oil, soybean meal, soybean hulls, renewable diesel feedstock, sustainable aviation fuel, livestock feed, agtech, farmer profitability, commodity processing, Fagen Inc, Crown Iron Works, agricultural infrastructure, US agriculture