MOORHEAD, Minn. – The head of Downtown Moorhead Incorporated is sharing some updates on two major projects taking place in the city lately.
President and CEO Derrick LaPoint first told The Flag about DG Fuels and their plan to build a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility near the Moorhead Municipal Airport.
According to the company, the plant will convert so-called ‘biomass’ agricultural by-products and clean hydrogen to produce high-value fuel.
On Tuesday night, the Moorhead City Council is expected to process an option agreement for 550 acres of land near the airport.
The approval would be a precursor to the actual purchase of the land by DG Fuels.
“We felt it was an appropriate next step to take this option agreement,” said LaPoint.
“We’re talking about a five to seven billion dollar plant that’s going to be constructed [which will come with] a lot of jobs, a lot of power and a lot of water. Those are all things that we have to figure out and have a plan for over the next twelve months.”
LaPoint says that includes “what that full infrastructure need is going to be.”
Production at the plant is expected to begin in 2030 according to DG Fuels.
Meanwhile, LaPoint says White Earth Nation is conducting a market survey to figure out how to build a casino and convention center on almost 300 acres of land the tribe purchased in Moorhead in December 2024.
“A casino doesn’t need that much land, but they’re trying to figure out the size of a hotel, convention center or an event space and the footprint of the casino,” said LaPoint. “There’s also been talk of a water park and other amenities as well.”
And as Fargo considers a site for its own new convention center, LaPoint says they’re coordinating conversations between the city and the tribe.
“We don’t see it as a competition,” said LaPoint. “We certainly don’t want to overlap. We want to make sure it’s complimentary and the tribe is well aware of that”
