The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-07-20
SUGAR FACTORY FOR SHELLEY

A small item in the Deseret News of
Salt Lake in the issue of last Saturday,
an item that ordinarily would not at
tract great deal of attention, yet
which is filled with big things for this
section, is but the forerunner Of one of
the greatest eras of development south
eastern Idaho has ever enjoyed.
In a few words it means the building
of great sugar mill at Shelley, nine
miles south of Idaho Falls, the plant
to be ready for the 1917 crop of beets;
and the building and operation of a
similar plant at Menan, jefferson coun,
ty, Is miles north of Idaho Falls, and
particularly does it mean the beginning
of great railroad development.
The article in question says:
General Manager T. r. Cutler of
the Utah-Idaho Sugar company stated
today that the next sugar factory con-
templated by that company would be
located at Shelley, Idaho, in the heart
OF district from which they had been
obtaining beets for number of wears
past. He stated that several sites were
now being inspected and that suitable
one would be chosen with view to
erecting factory in time to handle
the crop of 1917.
Mr.. Cutler also said that the fol.
lowing year, 1918, if the increased acre.
age justified it, the company has in
view the erection of factory at or
near Menan, Idaho, which is also a most
promising district for beets.
Agricultural Superintendent Heber
G. Austin, of Idaho Falls, who is in the
cit hot
lent feeling among the farmers owing
to the company offer oY so cents per
ton additional to the contract price this
season, and he looked for large in
crease in the acreage everywhere in
Idaho, especially if several contemplate
ed railroad spurs are finished.'
Mr. Austin, when asked about the
matter this morning, said:
"The article in question covers the
case in a general way. The Utah Idaho
Sugar company, as stated, plans the
construction of plant at Shelley, and
If the present plans carry out, the cree.
ton of similar plant at Menan. The
farmers and business interests of the
valley and this section, by cooperating,
will contribute great deal toward
bringing about considerable railroad
development in this locality, which can
be made to mean a great deal. putting
each section in close and easy touch
with the other, and in that way bring.
ing about great development.
This statement coming from a man
as conservative as Mr.. Austin and from
one as well acquainted with the condi.
tions as he is, means great deal It
means that the development in question
is not mere rumor, or something that
someone would like 10 see brought
about, but is condition which has
arrived Nothing definite is said
about railroads, other than that oppor-
tunity presents itself which should be
taken advantage of. The community
will not be slow to take the advantage
when offered.
The building of two great sugar fac
tories in the valley in addition to the
three now in operation means a great
development and the making of this
part of the state center for the manu-
facture of this product. The building
of the railroads, the building of good
wagon highways, the building of great
factOries-all mean that this particula.
part of southeastern Idaho is to be,
come the center of industry of the state