Fertilizer Funding Finds a Home in the Southeast
Could more fertilizer made here at home eventually mean lower prices for farmers? That's the idea behind a new federal investment, with projects planned in several Southeastern states.
According to an October 22nd USDA press release, eight fertilizer manufacturing projects have been selected nationwide, representing more than 1.3 billion dollars in proposed public and private investment.
In Florida, Peace Valley has been selected for nearly 20 million dollars in proposed federal funding to expand fertilizer manufacturing in Bartow.
In Virginia, AdvanSix could receive more than 47 million dollars to expand ammonia production in Hopewell.
And Tennessee is one of seven states included in a project to develop smaller-scale ammonia manufacturing units.
USDA estimates the additional production could eventually reduce nitrogen fertilizer prices by about four percent and potash prices by about five percent.
But those are projections, not guaranteed savings. The projects still have to move through the funding process and become operational.
