AMES, IOWA, U.S. — The Manilla Economic Development Corp., in cooperation with the City of Manilla, and the Landus Cooperative signed a two-year option agreement for more than 70 acres in its industrial park.

“We appreciate the partnership of the Manilla Economic Development Corp. and the City of Manilla on behalf of the community to identify opportunities to grow together,” said J. Paul Konrad, director of business development for Landus Cooperative. “While our company has not yet finalized nor approved any plans for this site, we thank the community of Manilla for welcoming us and creating opportunities for us and our membership here in Crawford County.”

In June, Landus Cooperative purchased an existing grain asset in Manilla that it is currently operating. It was the company’s first asset in Crawford County.

The farmer-owned cooperative, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, U.S., is investigating future grain or feed mill infrastructure opportunities for the optioned site. No timeline for a decision has been made by Landus Cooperative.

“Manilla Economic Development Corp., the utilities chair, and the utilities manager produced and presented a plan for the property north of the city of Manilla that is mutually beneficial to Landus Cooperative and the city of Manilla,” said Nyle Gruhn, president of the Manilla Economic Development Corp. “The conceptual project for the site that Landus Cooperative has shared with the MEDC would be positive for the city of Manilla in many ways.”