CALEDONIA, NEW YORK, U.S. — A grain and fertilizer processing plant in Caledonia, New York, U.S., destroyed by fire about a year ago will be rebuilt, according to the Minnesota-based company leasing the property,  the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper of Rochester, New York, U.S., reported on Sept. 29.

Purina Animal Nutrition LLC along with the Commodity Resource Corp., which owns the 86-acre property, plans to rebuild the facility with work beginning this fall and targeted for completion by early 2017.

"We know the last 10 months have been difficult for everyone, especially our employees and customers," said Brian Gier, vice-president of feed sales for Purina. "We are grateful to them for their patience and commitment to Purina Animal Nutrition."

The fire was spotted on Nov. 1, 2014, and may have burned several days as the result of spontaneous combustion of grain stored at the facility at 2773 Caledonia-Le Roy Road, Caledonia. Some of the 21 workers at the plant were relocated to another facility.

The plant was the largest feed manufacturing facility and dry fertilizer distribution center in the region and served many area farmers.

"Purina has operated out of this site for more than 10 years," Gier said. "We support construction of this state-of-the-art facility because we are committed to our employees, the community and meeting our customers’ needs. And we are committed to our longstanding partnership with (Commodity Resource Corp.)."

Company officials said the new plant will improve automation, increase efficiency and bring more full-time workers back to the site. They also said the plant will produce bulk dairy feeds, customized formulas, ingredients and full-service bag distribution.

Purina Animal Nutrition is owned by Land O’Lakes Inc. Further construction details are expected to be announced later this fall.