GROWMARK is taking full ownership of Imperial Valley Terminal, a grain handling facility on the Illinois River in Havana, Illinois, as the agricultural cooperative looks to strengthen its grain logistics network and expand access to domestic and export markets.
GROWMARK and CHS have jointly owned the terminal, also known as CHS Havana, for several years. Under the new ownership structure, GROWMARK will assume full control of the facility. Lakeside Grain Trading will manage the terminal’s grain operations, while Sunrise FS will continue to operate its agronomy and energy assets. Both businesses are wholly owned by GROWMARK.
The terminal serves as an important delivery point for farmers and commercial grain companies, connecting grain supplies from the region with export markets while also supporting the movement of crop nutrients into the agricultural supply chain.
For GROWMARK, the acquisition is less about adding another standalone grain facility than about gaining greater control over a strategically located piece of its agricultural logistics infrastructure. Full ownership gives the company greater scope to streamline operations and invest in the terminal as volumes and customer demand increase.
“Full ownership of Imperial Valley Terminal strengthens GROWMARK’s grain network and creates additional value for our member-owners,” said Joe Kapraun, Executive Director of Grain Business at GROWMARK. “It also positions us to expand opportunities for customers throughout the region.”
The facility’s location along the Illinois River gives it access to an important transportation corridor for moving agricultural commodities. That positioning allows the terminal to connect local and regional grain production with downstream markets while supporting the broader movement of agricultural inputs.
GROWMARK said full ownership will enable it to expand the high-volume facility and improve its ability to serve a growing customer base.
The transaction also brings the terminal’s grain, agronomy and energy operations under a more integrated ownership structure. Lakeside Grain Trading will oversee grain activities, while Sunrise FS will retain responsibility for the facility’s agronomy and energy operations.
As agricultural supply chains face increasing pressure to move crops and inputs efficiently, strategically located grain terminals have become an increasingly important part of the farm-to-market equation. For GROWMARK, the Imperial Valley acquisition adds another piece to that network while giving the company greater flexibility to invest in capacity and customer services.
