ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — CHS Inc. and the Aurora Cooperative on May 9 announced the formation of a limited liability company (LLC) to build and operate a high-speed shuttle loading facility near Superior, Nebraska, U.S.

The new entity, Superior East, LLC expects to begin construction immediately and be completed in about 12 months. With a storage capacity of 1,250,000 bushels, the new grain facility will include a 120-car capacity circle track on the BNSF line moving corn, soybeans and hard red winter wheat to markets west and south, including Mexico. Additionally, the location will provide a grain ground piling system, as well as 10,000-ton liquid fertilizer storage. The site has ample room to expand both grain and fertilizer capacity.

Superior East, LLC was formed under the recently introduced CHS Partnered Equity Program. This first-of-its-kind program allows CHS owners to unlock a portion of their equity in CHS to provide capital for an expansion project. Cooperatives participating in the program use a portion of their CHS equity as a contribution to a venture with CHS focused on helping their cooperative grow. Eligible projects include shuttle loaders, fertilizer hub plants, energy assets and other growth opportunities.

"By using a portion of our CHS equity along with additional CHS capital to build a next-generation ag multiplex, we will be able to provide the Aurora Cooperative farmer owners in southern Nebraska and northern Kansas additional access to world grain and fertilizer markets via the BNSF rail system," said George Hohwieler, Aurora Cooperative president and chief executive office. "This significant expansion fully aligns with our vision to be a financially strong, innovative and locally-owned agri-business.”

"We are excited about the opportunity to come together with such a strong partner with the CHS Partnered Equity Program," said Lynden Johnson, Business Solutions executive vice-president, CHS. "The goal of the program is to help our owners grow by providing strong cooperatives like Aurora the opportunity to unlock a portion of their equity in CHS for projects that directly serve their farmer owners. We look forward to exploring other projects that would benefit our owners in Nebraska and other states in CHS trade area."

Superior East, LLC is a 50/50 joint venture with a governing board comprised of representatives from both CHS and the Aurora Cooperative. The multiplex will be operated by the Aurora Cooperative.