Sugar beet farming (Photo Courtesy of Mark Lumley)Sugar beet farming (Photo Courtesy of Mark Lumley)
Chatham

Sugar Beet Processing Plant Proposed

Another major development is being proposed for what used to be called Sarnia's "Chemical Valley", now becoming know as Sarnia's "Green Valley."

Ontario Sugar Beet Growers' Association Chair Mark Lumley says they continue the groundwork to eventually build a processing plant in Sarnia's bio-industrial cluster.

Phase one would have a $100-million price tag. He hopes it comes to fruition in the next five years.

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Right now, Lambton farmers grow between 3,500 and 6,500 acres of beets annually and truck them for processing in nearby Croswell, Michigan.

The facility there, built in 1902, is going to receive a $57-million dollar upgrade to increase sugar production. Lumley is hoping that will cut down on wait times for local producers to ship their product stateside.

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