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– The Jamestown/Stutsman County Development corporation board unanimously recommended approval Wednesday to spend .75 million dollars for infrastructure improvements at the Spiritwood Energy Park about 10 miles east of Jamestown.

The majority of the money will go to construct a railroad loop that can be used to access future businesses that locate in the energy park. The JSDC is partnering with Great River Energy, which operates the Spiritwood Station heat and power plant, to form the Spiritwood Energy Park Association.

JSDC chief executive officer Connie Ova said the partnership can only benefit the Jamestown area.

“We made a significant step towards the future growth of this community,” she said. “We’re very fortunate to have Great River Energy as a partner and the formation of the Spiritwood Energy Partnership Association will only strengthen the ties, and it will provide the infrastructure that’s needed to attract world class companies to that park out at the Spiritwood area.”

Great River Energy committed 451 acres of land and the JSDC committed 100 acres to the partnership. The two entities will lease land to future businesses and share the profits.

Commitment of the $3.75 million dollars from the JSDC is contingent upon Dakota Spirit AgEnergy receiving financing for its 50 million gallon per year ethanol plant that will be located in the energy park.

Ova says the $3.75 million dollars is just less than half of the money the JSDC currently has available. The Jamestown City Council and Stutsman County Commission still must provide final approval to spend the money.