MOORHEAD -- The Anheuser-Busch malt plant is a Moorhead landmark. The towering structure emblazoned with a bright red "Budweiser" sign is one of the first things people see driving into the city on Interstate 94 from Minnesota.
But the plant's time in Moorhead is drawing to a close. On Nov. 14, Anheuser-Busch announced plans to close the plant. Starting in 2025, Rahr Malting Co. will take on the full capacity of malt production in the region and North Dakota and Minnesota barley will be redirected to a malt house in Shakopee, Minn.
The malt plant has stood in Moorhead since it was completed in 1978, but when it was first proposed nearly 50 years ago, it was a controversial addition to Moorhead's growing business landscape -- met by Moorhead residents with lively City Council meetings, a lawsuit and a petition to force an environmental impact statement.
"The intent to build is contingent upon results of feasibility studies and successful negotiations with the city of Moorhead with regard to water supply, waste water treatment, electrical power and other municipal services," Hoberg said at the press conference.
The plant's projected water use quickly came under scrutiny in Moorhead. The city's water plant could accommodate the additional 1.5 million gallons of water each day according to then Public Service Superintendent Tom McCauley.
"You will note that the petition as it stands is not for or against the proposed malting plant but is an appeal for an environmental impact statement so that the necessary information will be available on which to base an informed decision," Tolbert said.
Near the end of December 1976, Anheuser-Busch issued updated numbers for how much water would be used: 972,000 gallons per day during summer months and 832,000 gallons during winter months.
"I don't believe the present city administration has listened to what people want," Ingersoll said during his campaign against Hoberg.