Dirt is churning on a new storage facility at NEW Cooperative's location in Everly.

Groundwork has begun north of the 1.2 million gallon fertilizer storage tank on the company's property. According to NEW Cooperative Operations Manager Frank Huseman, the building is a $1.9 million investment and will house dry fertilizer and other farming chemicals.

Work on the facility will proceed throughout the summer and fall.

"By this time next year, we should be utilizing it full bore," Huseman told the Everly City Council last month. "There will be no new chemicals stored there that aren't already there on the property."

Huseman requested a tax rebate from the city for the warehouse property, as Everly offers a three-year tax rebate program for new development on commercial or industrial property.

The council was more than happy to oblige. The rebate will be processed at City Hall once construction is complete.

"This is good for the town, it's good for them and it's good for us," said Mayor Ron Thompson. "This is kind of a no-brainer type of thing."

MaxYield Cooperative previously owned the property, but that entity merged with NEW Cooperative last year following a vote of approval by members. Huseman said the company has been analyzing how to better utilize its facilities and leaders felt there was a need for more storage at the Everly location.

"It's a nice, big space there," he said.