Calling it “a step on a journey” to improve eastern Montana’s economy for the future, Gov. Brian Schweitzer presented two checks totaling $800,000 to be used as a loan for Sustainable Systems in Culbertson.
Sustainable Systems is an oilseed crush and refining plant. The company has recently established a new division called Montola, aimed at expanding the regional production of oilseed crops into high value biofuels, lubricants and culinary oils.
 Bill Vander Weele | Sidney Herald Gov. Schweitzer talks about how Montana has a lot to offer for the country’s energy needs. |
“We’re moving into renewable fuels. Biofuel is a big focus of ours,” Miller said. “Branding marketing of safflower oil is another big focus. We’re growth oriented.”
Miller thanks Greater Northern Development Corp., the governor’s office and the Department of Commerce for their support throughout the process. “They have been real strong supporters,” Miller said of the Greater Northern Development Corp. “Without them, it would have been real tough.”
The checks were made to the City of Culbertson and Roosevelt County to be used for loans to Sustainable Systems.
The governor received a standing ovation when he entered the Town Hall in Culbertson Tuesday morning. Neil Turnbull, Sustainable Systems, told the crowd he wasn’t confident about the funding when he left the governor’s office in January.
“We made previous attempts with previous administrations without much success,” Turnbull said.
Turnbull thanked the governor for his dedication to the project.
“I underestimated your resolve,” Turnbull said. “I’m very proud to call you the governor of Montana.”
Culbertson Mayor Gordon Oelkers also thanked Gov. Schweitzer and others for making the funding a reality.
“It’s all positive stuff happening,” Oelkers said. “We want to maintain existing businesses and to keep them healthy. This is a big step for doing that.”
State Sen. Sam Kitzenberg, R-Glasgow, added, “I knew it was a new day in Montana when we had a team effort by the governor to make this happen. This is a life saver for eastern Montana.”
The funding will help retain 22 current positions and create nine new ones, said Tony Preite, director for the Montana Department of Commerce.
“We look at this as a starting point, not a one-time shot in the arm,” Preite said. “It’s always exciting to see what innovative people can do if they’re given the opportunity.”
Schweitzer talked about past and current energy sources. He described the past as diesel being produced by crude oil, and the future as synthetic diesel coming from crops including wheat.
The governor said the United States currently exports 58 percent of its wheat. He says if that amount of wheat were utilized for synthetic diesel, the country would have 60 less days of importing diesel.
“This is why it’s so important to have this facility and others in Montana,” Schweitzer said. He added synthetic fuels are more stable in cold temperatures. “We’re looking at the future and you’re part of it.”
Schweitzer said Montana accounts for 11 percent of the coal in the world. The governor said if used for synthetic fuels, that’s enough coal to replace the oil consumed in this country for 40 years.
“We, in Montana, are in the center of energy development for the future,” Schweitzer said. “If we can continue this, this (eastern Montana) will be the engine for Montana. We have a lot of work to do, and we will work on it together. This is just one step on the journey.”
The interest paid back to the city and county over the course of the loan will be earmarked for further economic development activities at the grassroots level, creating an opportunity for an exponential continuation of this investment.
Linda Twitchell, director of the Great Northern Development Corp., said in addition to residual benefits for business development, the agricultural community will see a positive impact as well.
“This is what we call a value-added company. They take the high quality seed and grain from area farmers and turn it into an even more valuable product. In the end, this gives eastern Montana more economic clout,” Twitchell said.
editor@sidneyherald.com
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