New soybean crushing plant and biodiesel production facility will be on the cutting edge of food and energy production

SPEDA is excited to join Continental Refining Company (CRC) in announcing the company’s new multimillion-dollar expansion in Somerset and Pulaski County.

CRC is moving forward with plans to invest an additional $20 million to acquire and install a soybean crushing, biodiesel refining and blending facility at the current CRC oil refinery in Somerset. CRC has completed its evaluation of the project’s feasibility and is currently making progress with detailed design, equipment procurement, permitting, and construction of a soybean processing facility, biodiesel plant, and a fuels terminal.

Kentucky is quickly becoming a leader in agritech, the use of technology in agricultural practices that improve yield, efficiency and profitability.

SPEDA President and CEO Chris Girdler congratulated CRC and owner Demetrios Haseotes for the announcement and celebrated the company’s innovative approach to transforming the Somerset refinery.

“Demetrios is one of the most innovative and aggressive businessmen I’ve ever been around and his love of agriculture is real,” Girdler said. “Combining those two traits will prove to be a winner for Continental’s latest endeavor and prove to be a tremendous help to our farmers, landowners, and the overall economy. On behalf of Somerset and Pulaski County, we are so thankful that Demetrios chose our community as his home and we appreciate his continued investment and his help of so many of our fellow citizens.”

Read the full CRC press release.