From corn stalks to jet fuel: how Moorhead is positioning itself as ground zero for aviation’s green revolution
When the Moorhead City Council unanimously voted to grant DG Fuels control over 554 acres between the municipal airport and industrial park, the air in the chamber seemed charged with possibility. This wasn’t just about land. It was about reshaping the future of flight.
DG Fuels has pledged a jaw-dropping $5 billion investment to build a plant that transforms agricultural residue and timber waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) nearly indistinguishable from traditional jet fuel but with a fraction of the climate footprint. If successful, the facility could start pumping out nearly 193 million gallons annually by 2030. That’s enough to fly a passenger jet around the planet more than 10,000 times each year.
For a city of just 50,000, the scale is staggering. But Moorhead is betting big, and the payoff could be historic.
Why This Land Deal Matters
At first glance, the “option agreement” the city approved sounds like dry legal jargon. In reality, it’s a clever low-risk move: DG Fuels gets time to test whether the site is viable, while the city keeps the land tied up without spending a dime of public money.
Key points:
- The city trades patience for a potential multi-billion payoff.
- No taxpayer money is at risk.
- Land is reserved while feasibility checks unfold.
Why Moorhead?
The city sits at the sweet spot of biofuel logistics: abundant corn stover, direct rail access to timber regions, proximity to fuel distribution networks, and even its own municipal airport for test flights.
Moorhead’s unique advantages:
- Feedstock: Surrounded by cornfields with abundant crop residue.
- Connectivity: Rail lines linking timber sources and jet fuel hubs.
- Proximity: Airport next door for demonstrations and testing.
- Policy: Minnesota’s SAF tax credits attract investors.
- Power: Local utilities backing renewable electricity.
The Local Upside
Farmers stand to gain too. What was once waste stalks, leaves, and cobs could soon fetch a market price. Agronomists suggest carefully managed residue harvesting could boost both profitability and soil health.
Community benefits include:
- Farmers earning from crop residue sales.
- New jobs in trucking, baling, and logistics.
- Research opportunities for universities and agronomists.
The Road Ahead
If timelines hold, site prep could begin in 2026, vertical construction in 2027, and commercial output by 2030. Thousands of jobs during peak construction and 200+ high-skill permanent roles could transform Moorhead’s economy.
Conclusion
Moorhead may look like an unlikely player in global aviation, but this project proves otherwise. By turning crop waste into jet fuel, the city is positioning itself at the heart of a new energy future. The path won’t be easy; every soil test, permit, and supply chain deal matters, but the rewards could echo far beyond Minnesota. If successful, the roar of jet engines worldwide may soon carry the quiet signature of one small city’s bold bet on cleaner skies.