MATTOON - The timing for this business opening is a little awkward, Jim Skiff conceded. But Skiff and Cornbelt Foods, Inc. officials are excited about the opportunities in a new venture they are locating in the former popcorn factory off Illinois Route 16. Skiff is president of the firm that plans to process non-genetically modified soybeans for food processing around the world. The timing is off, he said, because normally by this time of year the company would have all its contracts in place with the growers. Skiff said response of area farmers has been good, adding that any problems are related to the company being in its formative stage and not having enough information for growers. "There's a lot of interest but we're on a very tight time frame to do something this year," Skiff said. Nonetheless, Skiff said Cornbelt's Coles County operation begins as demand for its product grows around the world.

Area officials rolled out the welcome mat for Skiff and other company officials Thursday. The agenda included a look at the facility and signing papers on the real estate transaction. Cornbelt, through a Minnesota firm called Shared Ventures Inc., is purchasing 28 acres from Eastern Illinois Industries Inc. that includes all of the buildings and bins at the former popcorn plant. Eastern Illinois Industries still has 34 acres for commercial development, including the ground in front of the plant along Route 16. Mattoon businessmen Mike Boyd and Bill Whitworth are two of the principals in EI Industries. Coles Together President Bob Luther, state Sen. Judy Myers, R-Danville, Mattoon Mayor Wanda Ferguson and chamber executive director Val Mullens were among those present at the event. U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard was represented by Shane Rogers of his Coles County office.

Skiff said the facility is ideal and the process will be similar to the popcorn operation. He said there's not another non-GMO plant of this size anywhere in the country, and the market for the "niche" product is growing, particularly in Europe. The 114 bins provide more than 1 million bushels of potential storage, including 100 bins that are connected. Some other countries require that food made with genetically-modified soybeans be labeled, and Austria banned all such products, Skiff said. Existing plants can't guarantee 100 percent non-genetically modified soybeans because of contamination from the mixture they handle.

All the local officials noted the importance of agriculture to the area economy, and said this sort of business is an ideal fit. Skiff said the company also likes the location. "We feel this is an excellent facility in a perfect location." The facility is in the middle of soybean growers and just 45 miles from the University of Illinois and its international soybean program. The company's engineer lives in Seymour. Skiff said he doesn't know how many employees it will take to operate the plant. Vogel operated with 18 employees.

Officials at site.
Coles Together and area officials toured the plant Thursday.
Photo by Doug Lawhead

Used with permission from Mid-Illinois Newspapers
Publishers of the Mattoon Journal Gazette and the Charleston Times-Courier

Former popcorn facility.
Aerial view of the facility.
Photo by Jeanne Gustafson

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Coles Together
400 Airport Road
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 258-5627 FAX (217) 235-9492