Grainnet

Date Posted: January 2, 2008

by Josh Flint, Milling Journal editor

Greensburg, KS--Nearly eight months after being hit by an F5 tornado, the reconstrution of Southern Plains Cooperative's Greensburg, KS facility is about 75% complete.

Southern Plains General Manager Ron Gruber, based at the coop's headquarters in Lewis, KS, says that so far they have rebuilt the coop's chemical shed, dry fertilizer plant, and feed mill warehouse.

"The office has been rebuilt and we will move in next week," Gruber says.

He adds that there is still a lot of work to be done, including replacing the grain dryer and grain distributor, completing some electrical work, and repairing the aeration and dust collection system.

The facility's storage, consisting of two concrete workhouses and a single jumpform concrete tank, were not destroyed.

He anticipates that the business will be completely repaired by spring 2008.

Gruber notes that only six days after the tornado hit the southwest Kansas town on May 4, elevator personnel were back at work, serving its customers.

One of the initial challenges involved was getting the road to the elevator cleared.

Gruber says they hired a dump truck operator, who subsequently worked until September to pick up debris to make the elevator accessible.

Southern Plains also lost the majority of its vehicle fleet.

Of 15 tandem-style trucks, Gruber says, three survived.

Despite the bleak situation, Gruber mentions two bright spots—the employees and the insurance company.

"Nationwide Insurance worked with us to get back up and running," Gruber says.

"They are really standing behind us."

He also says that Greensburg's 14 employees, plus employees from other branches, have worked tirelessly in the rebuiling effort.

Greensburg Works to Rebuild

Approximately 1,600 residents lived in Greensburg prior to the tornado, which destroyed 95% of the town and killed 11 people.

Gruber says estimates put the current population in the 700-800 range.

"Right now there are about 120 to 130 homes under construction," Gruber says.

He also says that several business have reopened, including a convenience store, a car dealership, and two restaurants.

He adds that the town's bank, which was located on Main Street, recently received the permits to rebuild.

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